Film photography continues to grow in popularity across the world as going back to basics with ‘analogue hobbies’ has become a welcome escape from the demands of our digital lives.
So, if you’re finding yourself drawn to the idea of film photography, all signs on your social algorithms point to it and you want a new hobby, but not sure where to start, start here!
We all started in the same place once, so follow these film photography basics to help you get started, with less friction to pick up a camera and just start shooting.
Film Photography Basics
Pick A Camera (But Don’t Make It Difficult!)
There are so many film camera types to choose from, each with their own unique features. But if you are just starting out, hone in on using a simple point and shoot to begin with. Barrier to entry is much easier and you can literally load a film and start shooting straight away.
Then once you start getting into it and deciding you want to keep at this film photography thing, you can delve into using different types of cameras.
Whilst disposable cameras are simple point and shoots and can be a good option, they can only be used once, so instead, get a reusable film camera such as the Kodak F8 35mm reusable film camera which is ideal for entry level shooters.
Of course, you can also look on places such as Facebook Marketplace for a second hand film camera at a low price point (just as long as it’s definitely in working condition!).
Start With 35mm Film
Before jumping into formats like 120 medium format, build your foundation on 35mm. It is the most forgiving, accessible, and cost-effective entry point into film photography.
A standard 35mm roll gives you 36 exposures to work with compared to the mere 10 or 12 shots on a roll of 120, meaning you can make mistakes, experiment with exposure, and hone your muscle memory without stressing over the cost of every frame.
35mm cameras are also lightweight, intuitive to load, and backed by a vast ecosystem of affordable lenses and processing options. Master the mechanics of light, focus, and composition on 35mm first; once you have your workflow down, transitioning to larger formats will feel natural rather than overwhelming.
The big advantage is price point as well for a beginner to this medium, Kodak ColorPlus 200 and Kodak Ultramax 400 are great for beginners and are typically the lowest price point for colour 35mm film.
Pick A 35mm Film
But what film do I choose?! 35mm film is available in black and white and colour, arguably some may say that black and white is easier to begin with, and it comes with an added bonus that it’s generally cheaper to purchase.
Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of style that you’re looking to achieve. If you’re not sure, have a quick google or search on social media for black and white images vs colour film images to see what you’re most drawn to.
Here are a handful of options that are a great starting point for beginners;
- Colour film – Kodak ColorPlus and Fujifilm 200 – both are rated at ISO 200 which means they work best on sunny days with well lit conditions, if you’re going on a summer holiday, take one of these and you can’t go wrong (unless it’s bad weather, and don’t shoot them at night!). Kodak Ultramax 400 is much more versatile, and can be a good option for beginners as well who might want to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions.
- Black and white film – Fomapan is one of the cheapest black and white film stocks on the market, Fomapan 200 is versatile, offers sharp detail and a classic tonal range, with Ilford FP4 and HP5 being highly coveted film stocks among film photographers, and are ideal for beginners.
Basic Photography Principles
In film photography, there is no screen to check your work, making a firm grasp of basic exposure mechanics essential for every frame.
Whilst learning as you go is sometimes the best way, having a brief understanding will help you massively from the start.
The Exposure Triangle is the relationship between ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed—is the mechanical foundation that dictates how light hits your film emulsion:
- ISO (Film Speed): Unlike digital, ISO is locked to the specific roll of film loaded in your camera (e.g., ISO 400). It defines your film’s sensitivity to light—lower numbers require bright daylight (such as 200), while higher numbers allow shooting in lower light at the cost of added film grain.
- Aperture (f-stop): The physical opening inside the lens control knob. Wide apertures (like f/2.0) let in high amounts of light and create a soft, blurry background, while smaller apertures (like f/16) limit light to keep the entire scene sharply in focus.
- Shutter Speed: The duration the camera curtain stays open to expose the film frame. Fast speeds (1/500s) freeze fast-moving action, while slower speeds (1/30s) allow more light in but risk introducing blur from hand movement.
Learning how these three settings balance one another gives you total control over light before clicking the shutter, turning unpredictable guesses into intentional, perfectly exposed images.
Practice and Experimentation
The best way to get started and to continue improving is literally to practice, experiment and keep shooting on film!
The reality is that you will make mistakes along the way (from blank films to light leaks), it’s just part of the process, but you learn from each mistake and can fine-tune your skills as you go.
Take a look at our film issues blog for more info on things to watch out for, and how to avoid them!
Find A Film Lab
Unless you’ve had previous experience with developing film, find a reputable film lab, either local to you or one online.
Having one lined up will help to turn your craft into tangible shots and you can enjoy all of the delayed gratification that comes with it!
At FilmProcessing UK we have a lab in Plymouth, but we serve all across the UK, order online, send us your film and let us do the rest! You have the option of digital scans and prints, or both so you can choose whatever final medium you prefer.
The best place to start is now, welcome to the world of film photography. Head over to our beginners guide to 35mm film to learn more about this format.