35mm film
Film Photography for Weddings
“Digital photography is science, film photography is a chemical miracle.”
– Steven Spielberg
These are impressions of light and texture. Moments burnt into 35mm film windows. They’re quite literally, captured memories.
35mm film photography is a lost art in an instant world. What once was the modus operandi for any photography is now a niche done badly.
In my opinion, what we left behind with film was intentionality. I see a lot of digital photographers, while in burst mode, just hold the shutter button and rely on charisma instead of skill – You’re bound to get at least one decent photo in 200 of the same pose right? A far way technology has allowed us to come from the 36 shots a film roll offers.
I think wedding days deserve a deeper level of artistic commitment and technical ability, and film photography is that in a nutshell. It somehow captures light, colour and texture in ways digital cannot replicate. When people see film images they describe them as mysteriously authentic. It demands the photographer know what they’re doing and to be present. I think it’s therefore perfect for meaningful wedding images.
With that being said, it does require some experience. film is very different to digital – it can be unforgiving and an inexpensive waste if not done well. So picking a photographer who is comfortable with this lost craft is essential if you want to include it on your special day.
I’m lucky enough to have had a mentor who prefers film and whose dad developed film with him as a child. It’s been a real gift to learn this skill from him and now offer it to you. I’m also lucky enough to have access to working vintage cameras, which most don’t. I use a mix of film stocks, depending on what is available in the country at the time. But I personally love Kodak colour films like Ultra Max 400 and Colour Plus never disappoint. If in doubt, I also use Portra.
