Not all of us are material girls (and boys) but we cannot deny the world-wide fact that we are living in a digital planet – and it seems like it has already been forever. Don’t you just want to leave for a little time, escape for a wee moment? Wouldn’t it be fascinating if we can relive our rents’ era when all they had were retro clothes and vinyl records? Wouldn’t it be all the more fantabulous if we can rewind the times when we used to think that our mere plastic toys are already all sorts of fantastic? Wouldn’t it be grand to remember those times, evi-dently, through old film photographs?
Fortunately, film is not (and was never ever) dead. Amidst the obvious reign of digital photography, a generous number of enthusiasts, such us yours truly, are still in love with the nostalgic feel of analogue photography because personally, taking film photographs is my form of escapism. With this, it is my pleasure to introduce to you, young individuals with infinite ideas, the magical clicks of what is certainly not digital – even just for a temporary while.
True enough, if you Google the phrase film photography, you will acquire almost a hundred million results about it but simply put, film, or analogue, photography makes use of a film camera, a roll of film, and a queer eye for capturing the beauty of the world– even with its empty spaces.
Film camera. Unlike today’s digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, you don’t need thousands of bucks to be able to yield the conceptual photo- graphs of your dreams. Cheap, plastic ones (for as low as a few hundred pesos) may do if you just want to experience the thrill of it just for the first time. Additionally, international analogue photography companies, such as the lovely Lomography, offer a wide selection of vintage and vivid film cameras.
Films. Before buying film cameras, though, it is essential to know which kind of film it makes use of. Basically, films are categorized into sizes. The most common which are still readily available in most photo-stores are the 35mm or 135 films. Some film cameras make use of 120 films while others (al- most rarely) make use of 126 and 110 films. Instant films, oftentimes called Instax or Polaroid films, also belong to the analogue world.
Eyes. Literally and metaphorically, you need eyes to visualize your fantasies. The fun and wondrous thing about film photography is that you can be as carefree or careful as you want to be. But just as broad as general photography is, you can experiment with the colours, the lighting, or the subjects or themes of your choice – all you need is a pair of adventurous eyes that constantly seek for anything and everything that is meaningful to be put into photographic imageries and everlasting memories.
However, kids these days are hyper-active and their minds, like their hands, hate to be idle. This is how film photography becomes more of a challenge since you will have to wait for your films to be processed and then scanned or even developed. But at the same time, this is the sole reason why it makes the entire thing so fulfilling and rewarding. It may sound like it requires too much effort and patience to indulge with such a hobby but I tell you, every frame will render you happy and every click will urge you to shoot some more.
