A Film Revival: Nothing Beats the Magic of 35mm

Edited by Jessica Greensmith

Film photography never stopped being lovely, but it did suffer a rough patch beginning in the 2000s with the dawn of the digital age. Consumers loved the convenience and accessibility of their digital cameras and their iPhones, and readily forsook 35mm film cameras—so much so that Kodak, then, the world’s largest photography company, ceased making them. In the last few years, however, the trend has reversed, with a skyrocketing demand for analog images. We’re grateful that marrying couples are rediscovering the magic of the format. Here, Annapolis photographer Molly McManus shares why she prefers film and how it affects a couple’s day-of experience. 

Why do you love film photography? 

MM: I am obsessed with film for many reasons, but mostly for the way it renders color. When you get down to it, emotion and color are the two factors that bring a photo to life. While a digital image has to be enhanced in post-production, film beautifully captures each shade of color with minimal editing. My couples also love the nostalgic element. Film photos are what they grew up admiring in family albums or scrapbooks. Prints of their loved ones laughing or embracing were all taken on film, and so that emotion carries a weight into the medium. In a world where our photos sit in a digital cloud because we can take an overwhelming amount of them without batting an eye, film photos hold a timeless aesthetic because they are taken with care. The only way to see a film photo is to have it developed – a process that takes even more labor and love. Behind each film photo is a team of people: The supplier making the film, the photographer, the carriers who ship the exposed film to be developed, and the professionals at the lab. 

What is the difference between film and digital photography?

From a technical standpoint, the photos are imprinted onto a strip of analog film through exposure to light, instead of being recorded digitally to a memory card. Visually, the difference between film and digital images can vary from barely noticeable to completely different depending on how a photographer edits. Some photographers strive for their digital images to look more like their film scans because film has such beautiful characteristics. For example, if you've ever taken a photo on your cell phone and wondered why the sky full of clouds looks completely white, or the sunset looks good but your friends in the foreground are like black silhouettes – that's because of auto-exposure. Digital cameras will focus on a certain aspect of the scene, and auto-expose for what they think you want in focus. However, with most film cameras, the photographer has to manually determine each setting. Using a light meter, we can tell the camera what measurements will capture just the right amount of light, so it looks more visually accurate to what you saw with your own eyes.

Does film stock matter? 

Film photos turn out differently depending on the type of film stock that the photographer uses. Kodak Gold, for instance, leans into warmer tones, so it’s great for the beach in the summer. Other film stocks, like Fuji 400, amplify the saturation of greens and magentas in an image, so they are widely used for portrait photography.  A good film photographer will know which film stock will yield the best photo in any scenario. 

When is film less effective?

I always tell my couples that, artistically, we love film but reliability is why we need digital. Sometimes, film photography is too slow to catch that hug between the couple, or someone blinks and their face looks silly. Digital allows us to capture moments faster – so we can pick the image with everyone's eyes open. For those super-important moments on the big day, like the ceremony kiss, I make sure we shoot it on digital first, then I'll reach for my film camera. Another consideration with film is red-eye! If you're shooting color film with a flash during the reception, and someone looks at the camera, it's bound to happen. That's why I love to shoot black and white film with flash in those low-light situations. 

What do couples need to know before they hire a film photographer? 

Film requires a little more time to click the shutter and advance to the next frame, or to load in a new roll – so couples need to consider the effect that will have on their timeline. Giving a film photographer the time and space to compose a shot without rushing will only result in a better gallery. In that same vein, film is very expensive right now. The demand is too high for the suppliers, and some chemicals used in the production of film are becoming scarce. Because of that, there is often a difference in price point between digital and hybrid photography packages.

Has shooting in film changed your approach as a photographer? 

It’s taught me to slow down, really encapsulate the scene, and not overshoot. Quality over quantity is the name of the game with film, because every time you click the shutter of a film camera, it's upwards of $5. I always hope to invoke the atmosphere and feeling behind the celebration when I reach for my film camera. It's those blurry low-lit candlelight toasts and black and white dance floor snaps that, to me, convey how it felt to be there. While digital can be edited and shaped to do that, it never feels as timeless or emotionally captivating as film. I don't think I'll ever stop including film in my packages, because I want my clients to experience that same magical feeling when they look back on their photos for years to come.