What is film grain?
Film grain is the visible silver halide crystals within a film emulsion. This is the main photosensitive substance in film so it is what allows an image to be captured.
Over the years film emulsions have been experimented with and altered to minimize visible grain. However, grain will always be present and it is one of the main factors that gives film photos their unique charm.
The higher the ISO of a film stock is, the bigger the silver crystals are and so the more noticeable the grain will be. In contrast, in low ISO film such as 200, 100 or even lower, the silver crystals are much finer and less visible.
The below left image is an example of a photo taken with an extremely high ISO film stock resulting in a very grainy image. The below right image is taken with Lomography’s super low ISO film Fantôme Kino B&W ISO 8.
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Will X-ray machines at airports ruin my film?
Traditional x-ray machines are unlikely to affect film of ISO 800 and lower. However, the new and more powerful CT scanners can damage any and all film. We recommend always asking to have your film inspected manually.
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What are the different types of film cameras?
From a SLR, to TLR, to rangefinder or point & shoot cameras – find out how these different types of cameras operate.
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What is the sunny16 rule?
The Sunny 16 Rule is a way to meter for correct exposure during daylight without using the camera’s meter. It is great for photographers who don’t want to get slowed down by metering for every shot or rely too much on their camera’s in-built light meter.
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What does it mean to overexpose vs underexpose a photo?
Put simply, an overexposed image is one that is brighter than the reality of the scene you’re trying to photograph, while an underexposed image is darker than reality. Overexposure generally means you are giving your film too much light, and with underexposure you have the opposite problem of not enough light.
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Why choose film photography over digital?
Almost everyone has access to a phone with a decent camera, however, there is nothing like producing a roll of film with its unmatched richness and an emphasis on preserving the integrity of both highlights and shadows.
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How to unload and seal a roll of 120 film?
Keep the roll tight on the take-up spool as you remove it from your camera. Then wrap the attached paper band around the film and secure it in place.
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How to organize your film negatives?
Film Sleeves, Binders, and maintaining a chronological system for your film negatives are key to effectively organizing film negatives.
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How to avoid “fat rolls” with 120 film
A “fat roll” happens when 120 film is wound loosely around the take-up spool, possibly leading to light leaks. Avoid this by gently pressing your finger near the film holder while loading or shooting; this helps keep tension and tighten the film.
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How long can I leave exposed film in my camera?
In most cases, you can leave exposed film in your camera for a few weeks or even months without any issues.