Film shooters!! Come clean!!

I just like shooting film for the sake of shooting film. I have little chance of being compared to any greats, any more than buying a Pinarello (because Wiggins won the tour) would make me a better cyclist...
 
I shoot film because I believe I end up with more compelling photos. I am not sure why but that is the case.

I have no attraction to any particular process or cameras. I just use what works best for me. And, I really do not care what others do. That is their choice not mine to worry about.

I am confident that either of the Capas or the rest of the dead greats always would simply use whatever works best for them. Just like the living greats do today.
 
For me it is a way to unplug, I spend my work day on a computer/conf calls; the last thing I want at the e d of the day is to unwind in front of a PC and convert RAW images in PS, I enjoy the connection to the physical world for my hobby and film based photography is the perfect outlet for me. I could just as easily collect maps, build ships or other hands on pursuits, but for me, analog is the enjoyable route. IQ comparisons between analog and digital is just noise to me, if my 35mm images can be done better by a new X kit, that's great, but I am satisfied with what I've got, because the life cycle of the analog process (capture through the print), overcomes. Capra was a photojournalist, today they generally use what their agency prescribes, does that afford you the ability to then say because A you all should be B and not C. A = modern times, B = digital and C = Analog

Under your premise, one should not do etching or other forms of art where a process is more current?
 
Results with b&w film are definitely worth the effort, if you know what you are doing

Though that is true specially if you do wet print too. If you don't then I don't see the point of going through the hassle and investment (scanning plus developing) film demands to then just upload the files on your computer/flickr

I spent most of Saturday printing a few 16x20 prints that made me believe the trouble was worthwhile.. I saw the light at the end of the session (it was sunny outside : )
 
Sure there is a psychological aspect in this (for me at least), not exactly feeling like the great old masters - my ambitions are not at that level - but two things:

1. The feel of performing a craft, probably has a lot to do with the tactile part of it, and more steps involved.

2. The retro feel I guess you might call it. I am old enough to have made (or at least tried to) make a living from shooting film back in the 80'ies, so a certain nostalgic feeling is involved; heck I even sometimes wear a Fedora and a trench coat when I am out shooting KIEVs or FEDs, of course carrying the gear in a 50'ies leather shoulder bag. It draws a certain amount of attention 😀

Working as an IT supporter in my local community also sometimes makes me long for more simplicity. I like digital, but it often makes me feel more like a guy pushing keys and navigating menus (hey - i do that all day long, right) , than like a photographer, so...🙄
 
I shoot film because I enjoy how my rangefinder handles. The focusing, the weight, the bright viewfinders. Its a unique photography experience. I actually don't care much for the process, and would be shooting with a digital rangefinder if I could find an affordable one with high IQ, fast write speed and a nice LCD.
 
I like the romanticism of film.
I like the fact that film means that as soon as you release the shutter, that image is captured and stands on a neg for as long as the neg survives.

Unfortunatley, with my job and ever dwindling 'me' time film processing either home or at a lab has slowly taken to the wayside 🙁.

I'm hoping turning to a digi-M will get me out there shooting again as it has an improved workflow for me at least.

Film will always hold a special spot for me, though, and my Bessa won't be kicked to the curb, just saved for when I have time to roll and develop.
 
I shoot film because: the cameras are cameras not computers and are simple to operate and built to last; opening the canister and taking out wet film that is perfectly developed (sometimes) gives me a great deal of satisfaction that I don't get from digital workflow; ditto while watching the image come up in the tray of developer.

Lee Freidlander still uses film exclusively.
 
I am an analogue photographer through and through. I am self taught over a period of 30 years and the chief reason I continue to do it that way is I enjoy the whole process from start to finish and it is all about what I personally put in to get the result I want. Emotion, experience and some degree of personal skill honed over time make my photos just that. Mine. Unique to me and precious to me. I would not sacrifice that for the convenience of digital. I live and breathe Tri-x images.
 
I don't need a fantasy existence to justify shooting film...I'm pretty good shooting while just being Me...

I shoot film for two reasons:
1. I only have film cameras
2. I really love shooting film, developing film and printing from film...
 
olle said:
I like the romanticism of film.
I like the fact that film means that as soon as you release the shutter, that image is captured and stands on a neg for as long as the neg survives.

Unfortunatley, with my job and ever dwindling 'me' time film processing either home or at a lab has slowly taken to the wayside 🙁.

I'm hoping turning to a digi-M will get me out there shooting again as it has an improved workflow for me at least.

Film will always hold a special spot for me, though, and my Bessa won't be kicked to the curb, just saved for when I have time to roll and develop.
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Agree, I have tried and tried to get excited about digital and I can't. It is a great tool (I have a D7000) but there is just no love.
 
I shoot film because I am lazy.

When I shoot film the pictures come out the way I envisaged them, and even when they come out different than I expected they can still be interesting. With film you have the work flow and look mapped out for you (from the moment you choose what film to shoot (and later sometimes what developer)).

With digital, they just come out flat. It has taken me a while to realise that with digital the raw file is just the beginning of the road and that many decisions need to be made before you end up turning that file into something worthwhile. That you can get the results you are after with digital is not in dispute anymore for me. It's just I have a hard time picking the raw files that will benefit from work and those that I should delete.
 
Bob Michaels said:
I shoot film because I believe I end up with more compelling photos. I am not sure why but that is the case.

I have no attraction to any particular process or cameras. I just use what works best for me. And, I really do not care what others do. That is their choice not mine to worry about.

I am confident that either of the Capas or the rest of the dead greats always would simply use whatever works best for them. Just like the living greats do today.
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This is the correct answer. I was pleased to read this.
 
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