When searching for the right photographer for your wedding day, there are so many different things to consider. Different editing styles are one aspect of the craft that sets each photographer apart, giving them their unique aesthetic. A trend in wedding photography has been to edit photos in an effort to mimic film. Photographers want to produce timeless images that look like authentic film photos, but they truly never look the same as when shot on film. I personally edit my digital photos this way, and they never quite have the same distinctive, authentic, and raw quality as the ones shot on film. While digital photography is convenient, shooting on film brings on a totally different tonality that is nearly impossible to replicate with even today’s modern digital cameras. If you want to have some of your most precious memories documented in the most genuine way possible, you’re going to want a photographer who shoots film and digital on your wedding day. If film doesn’t exist 50 years from now and Kodak goes out of business, you will be so incredibly happy that you have these timeless keepsakes from your wedding.
The Unique Aesthetic of Film Wedding Photography
Film photography gives images a soft, romantic, timeless, and classic look. When exposed and developed correctly, the film’s color rendition is rich and exquisite. Skin tones are rendered warm and beautiful, with the grain helping to naturally obscure blemishes and imperfections. Wedding photos shot on black-and-white film look iconic, with gorgeous grain in contrast. Each type of film stock has its own unique color palette that digital cameras can only dream of replicating. When done well, film photos have a nostalgic quality that creates a sense of intimacy. They have an immersive feel that draws you into the photograph as the textures, tones, and imperfections of the film provide a handcrafted analog feel.
A Broader Range of Tonal Variety
The dynamic range of film captures highlights and shadows with incredible detail, so your wedding dress won’t get blown out to pure white as easily. It is simple to blow out highlights or have pure black shadows when using digital, and you can see it in so many wedding photos with highlights blown out to pure white. Film can handle high-contrast scenes with no problem! The tricky part is getting the exposure right, but a good photographer will know what to do.
Gorgeous Grain and Texture
The subtle grain and texture in film photos add visual interest and depth. Film grain softens details flatteringly, smoothing over imperfections while still capturing the moment’s essence. The silver halide particles in the emulsion give the image a physical texture that is part of its creation. Digital photos can have grain added in post-processing, but it’s not the same! The result is an organic stand-out photograph that will withstand the test of time.
Stunning Color Rendition
Film photography captures rich, saturated colors and soft, flattering skin tones. The colors in film photos appear illuminated from within, giving them a radiant glow. From the lush green trees of your wedding venue to the brilliant reds and pinks in your florals, the photos will stand out and be breathtaking.
Authentic Images
Film photography has an unparalleled ability to capture life’s moments as they happen. When you press the shutter with an analog camera, that is your shot—there is no room for error, and you don’t get 20 frames per second! Film is much more of an intentional and intimate process when shooting it. For those emotional first-look photos, playfully stunning couple portraits, or memorable sunset photos, having rolls of film to look back at as a keepsake will be unforgettable. You will remember those distinct moments when the film camera comes out for the rest of your life!
Resolution
Before digital photography, every photograph ever taken was made using film. I’m sure everyone is familiar with 35mm film, the standard size seen in most common cameras, including disposables. Slightly larger than 35mm film is 120mm film, better known as (medium format). Medium format negatives are much LARGER than 35mm negatives, and because of this, they have a much larger resolution. A larger resolution allows the negatives to be cropped in tightly and printed large, allowing for incredible albums and prints. When viewing photos in a physical wedding album or print, the detail is insane, even compared to today’s modern digital cameras!
The Process
Successfully using film cameras takes a lot from a wedding photographer. Unfortunately, not many photographers are still shooting film these days, and with the insane technology of the digital camera industry, film manufacturers are slowly going out of business. Many photographers are out there shooting weddings that have never picked up a film camera before in their lives because it scares them! It’s difficult for someone learning photography on a digital camera to truly understand the proper relationship between shutter speed, iso, and aperture setting needed to create a perfect image on film. Sticking to a digital-only photographer is fine! But if you are looking for the nostalgic, vintage aesthetic only found on film, find a photographer who can’t wait to shoot it at your wedding.
Combining Film and Digital
You get the best of both worlds by having a photographer at your wedding who shoots both film and digital. Looking back at the images decades from now, it will be a decision you’ll never regret. With current industry trends, film may not even be around 60 years from now, so having that keepsake to cherish decades from now will be priceless. Of course, with digital cameras, you have the luxury of snapping off many photos so you don’t miss a moment. After all, it is your wedding day; you don’t want your photographer to miss the most memorable moments if they only rely on a film camera. Finding a photographer who shoots both will be a fun experience and well worth it once the photos return!
Conclusion
Choosing a wedding photographer who shoots both film and digital can provide you with a diverse and stunning photo collection that captures the essence of your special day. The unique aesthetic, broader tonal range, and authentic film feel combined with the convenience and flexibility of digital photography make it a winning combination. Refrain from settling for ordinary wedding photos when you can have extraordinary ones you’ll cherish forever. Reach out to photographers who embrace film and digital or share this post with friends planning their weddings. Let’s celebrate the beauty of film photography and create timeless memories together!
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