Why is film photography on the rise? … again
Originally sent exclusively to The Focal Point subscribers on February 24th. Want to be the first to get my personal newsletter in your inbox every week? Subscribe for free here.
Why are people choosing to shoot film again?
Including myself. (probably buying a Leica MP very soon)
I watched a great video from Patrick Tomasso last week about the film industry.
He discusses what made older films so special in comparison to a lot of lacklustre movies being released at the moment.
His points are very relevant to our world of photography as well.
Do you care about the quality of the new Leica M12a7c Mk2?
I certainly don’t.
So what’s going with this rejection to modern tech?
Short answer, it’s just a little boring.
Let’s talk about it.
Google trends search for ‘35mm film' - more popular now than in 2004.
However, bear that in mind that people have more access to search now than they did in 2004.
The feeling of film?
Digital cameras brought convenience, instant results, and high resolution.
Film, on the other hand has imperfections and unpredictable nuances that make it not as reliable compared to digital.
Objectively, digital is better quality.
but…
In street and documentary photography, where authenticity matters, film’s sometimes imperfect textures and ‘look’ create something that digital sensors struggle to emulate.
You could say film is more ‘real’ because it’s a physical process?
Digital is just numbers on a computer.
Digital images often feel too clean - overly sharp and clinical - while film creates a richer, more timeless aesthetic.
Although I admit this is somewhat subjective.
Beyond just aesthetics, film photography taps into something deeper.
Visual nostalgia.
There’s an emotional weight to a film photograph, even if the content itself isn’t particularly striking.
A mundane digital image can often feel sterile, whereas even a mediocre film shot carries a certain charm.
The organic textures, the way light interacts with the emulsion, and the inherent flaws all work together to create an image that feels more alive.
In a world where digital perfection is the norm, film photography stands out precisely because it isn’t perfect.
It has quirks and is just… not as boring.
Dynamic range is ruining everything
Film photography thrives on deep blacks and bright highlights.
Film stocks don't have the extreme dynamic range of modern digital sensors, meaning everyone had to embrace high contrast scenes adding to a certain visual intensity that added drama.
Although I’ve seen people express how film has better DR than digital, I’m sure there’s cases where this exists but i’d like to see any film stock compete with the Hasselblad X2D on this.
Today’s digital sensors, with their extended dynamic range, attempt to preserve more detail in highlights and shadows.
This does sometimes result in images lacking the punch and mood of film.
If an image looks too good, technically - is it just boring?
I mean… just look at the way people edit digital images. We’re ADDING grain, crushing the blacks and bumping up the vibrance to create a mood.
This video by Patrick Tomasso breaks down exactly why modern cinema has lost its charm, and I think the same arguments apply to digital photography.
Film fanatics and photographers are now craving the stronger contrast, deeper blacks and an image that feels alive rather than flattened.
Could this cycle repeat and in 10 years I make the argument about ‘dynamic range’ being a popular look again?
Young vs. Older Photographers
I’ve noticed an interesting divide between generations of photographers.
Many older photographers I’ve spoken with who started with film (and had no other option for most of their careers) transitioned to digital to embrace the efficiency, reliability, and precision of modern cameras.
For them, digital photography is faster, sharper, more versatile, and eliminates the frustrations of film (limited shots, cost, and unpredictability).
But younger photographers, who grew up in a fully digital world (like me) are discovering film for the first time - and loving it, not despite its flaws, but because of them.
I’m less obsessed with megapixels or the technical pursuit of perfection.
I’m okay with embracing light leaks, unpredictable colour shifts, and even misfocused shots because these quirks make film feel different.
Not so much that it actually does ruin the context of the photograph. I don’t want the photograph to be good because it’s quirky, but if it’s a good photograph that has quirks I’m fine with that.
In a digital world of new, better, quicker, sharper - film has personality.
It’s even happening with CCD sensors.
Even within the world of digital cameras, many photographers have started talking about the look of CCD sensors from a decade ago.
Older CCD sensors had limitations - less dynamic range, increased contrast, and unique colour.
But these very "flaws" are now what people are finding appealing.
Whether it’s because they resemble film more closely or simply because they offer something different.
Does the search for ‘something different’ explain why many photographers are turning to film.
It’s about the process bro.
Beyond just the look, the tactile experience of film is another huge reason for attraction
Shooting film is about the process for a lot of people.
From loading a roll to developing the negatives, to physically holding a print in your hands - it all feels more involved, more intentional.
Seeing an image appear in a darkroom or scanning a freshly developed roll creates a connection to the work that digital simply doesn’t offer.
(i’m still yet to experience the darkroom. I have no idea how any of that works)
The process itself becomes part of the joy, making photography feel more like a craft than just snapping and editing on a screen.
With everything mentioned above, this hype around film photography isn’t just about nostalgia - it’s about images that feel alive.
As digital perfection becomes the standard, photographers are increasingly looking for ways to reintroduce imperfection, texture, and emotion into their work.
And right now, film is offering exactly that.
What do you think?
I’m already a little scared to throw some snippets from this onto threads… you know how opinionated people get haha
“You don't need to feel inspired to start creating. You need to start creating to feel inspired.” - Gurwinder Bhogal
See you on the street,
Mike
PS. Edit your photographs like I do with these Lightroom Presets:
