Why shoot film for street photography?
Who shoots film? If I said put your hand up if you regularly shoot film - I guess I'd be looking at about 5% of you - maybe less. But we all know that film has made a big comeback in recent years - in the way that vinyl has done in the music world. And yes, I know it’s expensive but I’m hoping - maybe naively - that the more people who do it, the cheaper it’ll become. But despite the cost, there are some clear benefits of shooting film - to me at least.
Firstly, there's definitely a 'film look' and it's something you can't easily replicate in Photoshop. For me, digital is a little too 'perfect' and lacks the soft, naturalness of film. Some people call it a vintage look - I think it’s just a natural look. But we should always remember that there are so many variations available with film - with different film stocks producing very different 'looks'.
Secondly, and this is the big deal for me, film slows you down and makes you think more. You think more about timing, light, about composition, framing. Every click costs you money so you work harder at getting it right. But the main thing is, you don't snap first and think later - you think and then you snap. It's a much more satisfying way of doing things.
Thirdly, it's easier to get into the zone - and then stay there; you tend to be more focused on your surroundings and what's happening around you than what going on with your gear. You're not distracted by buttons, menus or screens - you're there, in the moment, focused on what really matters.
Finally, quite simply, the journey is more satisfying. At risk or sounding like Gwyneth Paltrow, it somehow just feels more ORGANIC and personally I feel much more connected to the world if I'm shooting film.
What gear do I use for shooting film? My go-to camera is the Leica M6, usually with a 35mm lens on the front. This gives me a similar shooting experience and similar ergonomics to my M10 and it feels just right in the hand. In reality though, film shooting is really about the particular film stock you're using and also the glass on the front of the camera - the camera body is the least important factor as it’s only really a lightproof box.
Leica M6 - a great camera for street photography
If I’m shooting medium format, which I’ll often do for street portraits, I’ll probably use a Hasselblad with an 80 mil lens or this very old Mamiya with a 90 mil - though this is just SO heavy to lug around all day.
Film-wise I usually shoot at 400 ISO and I do like Tri-X for black & white as it has quite a gritty, contrasty feel. If I’m after something a little softer I’ll use HP5 which is a little less contrasty and I think has more exposure latitude. I’m about to experiment with some cheaper emulsion - I fancy trying Fomopan 400 and Neopan 400 and I’ll let you know how I get on with those. Colour-wise it’s usually Portra 400 and I don’t waver much from that to be honest.
Anyway, if you can bear the cost, do give film a go - I think the shooting experience can only make you a better photographer and it’ll certainly teach you to THINK more about each frame. If you don't know where to start, just have a look in a used gear shop or on eBay. Great starting cameras are in plentiful supply and I'd be looking for an SLR from the 70s or 80s - a Nikon F or FM, Pentax K1000, Olympus OM1 or similar. Or even a little compact like a Rollei B or Olympus trip. -these are all great cameras for learning how to use film.
Mamiya RB67 - great camera but a bit heavy for street photography!
