In the Spring of 2013, I taught silver based black and white photography at Utah State University and familiarized students with the basic principles of camera operation.

Let’s talk about the magic of film, shall we? 

If you’re wanting to create images that are atmospheric and posses aura then analog photography is the right choice for you!

You might be wondering why modern creatives are choosing older methods over the ease of digital photography which is a great question. Let’s explore why:

Critics of digital photography will claim that the medium is too perfect and clinical, if you’ve seen one of them, you’ve seen them all. In comparison, film offers the unexpected through light leaks, shifts in color and grain structure. Our eyes recognize the authenticity and three-dimensionality of an image that has been physically engraved into a roll of film by visible wavelengths of light.The resulting aesthetic is imperfect and full of character.

Now that we’ve discussed the credibility of analog photography let’s talk nerdy by delving into black and white vs. color options:

My favorite panchromatic film stocks are Ilford 3200, Tri-X 400 and HP5+ 400. What has surprised me about black and white photography is how lush and rich the tonal ranges are… it’s something that digital cameras cannot compete with. In comparison, my favorite Ektachrome film stocks are Kodak Portra 160 and Kodak Portra 800 because they both provide a really beautiful vintage quality to my images. 

Additionally, there’s such a sweet sense of nostalgia to film photography. In a world full of noise, film begs us to slow down and use grain!