Film photography
Shooting with film or instant cameras, and developing and printing in the darkroom.
Film photography
- To start
- $60
- Each month
- $30
- Time
- 2 hours a week
- Sessions
- 1 hour or more
- Where
- At home or out
- Who with
- On your own
Is it for you?
- It keeps taking you somewhere new.
- It's wide open for your own ideas.
- You end up with something you made.
- There's no one to beat, ever.
You’ll like it if
- You want to build something of your own
- You want to make things
- You want to have adventures
Maybe not if
- You want it to be social
- Weather easily puts you off
- You want to work with your hands
What it feels like
Film photographyAverage arts & Expression hobbyCalm
Company
Physical effort
Creative freedom
Brainwork
Hands-on
Outdoors
Quick wins
$60Costs more to start than 68% of hobbies
$30Over a year, more than the kit
$420About $4 an hour at 2 hours a week
Before you buy
Borrow from a friend or buy second-hand first. Upgrade once you know you will keep going.
Your first session
Load a roll of film into a second-hand camera and shoot all 36 frames in a weekend.
1 hour or moreAt home or outEasy to start
Questions
How much does film photography cost to start?
About $60 if you rent or borrow where people usually do, then about $30 a month once you are going.
How much time does film photography take?
About 2 hours a week to enjoy it and get better, in sessions of 1 hour or more.
Can I do film photography at home?
Yes, or out if you prefer. Fits in a bag.
Is film photography good for beginners?
Yes. It is easy to start as a complete beginner. A good first session: Load a roll of film into a second-hand camera and shoot all 36 frames in a weekend.
Do I need other people for film photography?
No. It works fine on your own.