Film photography is resurging. But why do people shoot film? – Screen Shot
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Film photography is resurging. But why do people shoot film?

There’s nothing quite like holding something in your hands. In a digital age where everything is accessible quite literally at our fingertips, tangibility has now become a novelty. It’s why I’ll browse through a bookshop just to bury my nose in the pages (don’t pretend you haven’t either). Or why, to my wallet’s dismay, I’ll take out a mortgage to buy vinyl records—despite my Spotify subscription giving me access to pretty much any tune I can think of. We crave tangibility—having something right there in front of our eyes, and photography is no exception.

Despite digital photography making huge advances in the last 20 years, analogue photography has made somewhat of a resurgence. More and more people across the world are loading up to shoot, not bullets but 35mm negatives. But why is that? I spoke with professional film photographer Sean Duncan from Dublin and amateur film photographer George Swift from Wakefield to find out why they’re drawn to the analogue.

Despite digital photography making huge advances in the last 20 years, analogue photography has made somewhat of a resurgence. Why is that?

Why do people shoot with film cameras?

Duncan believes there is an abundance of reasons people should take to film over digital. “Of course, there is that ‘film look’ which people seek, there’s the ownership of negatives, which to me is something special, but in my opinion, the main benefit is the fact that shooting film forces you to slow down massively,” he said.

Duncan goes on to explain how what were originally the downsides of shooting film photography back in the 80s is actually now what can benefit photographers the most in their creative journey. “Shooting film is rather expensive so each frame that you shoot is costing you money. Film ensures that you slow right down, you take your time, and do your very best to get ‘the shot’ in as few takes as possible,” he told me.

“Film made me sit down and learn the fundamentals of photography and exposure before going out and shooting. Film humbles you. Whereas digital cameras do that work for you and give photographers the option to set their cameras to auto everything and away they go.”

As an amateur photographer, Swift explains how “shooting film can help improve yourself as a photographer as you have to put more thought into each shot because, from personal experience, I don’t want to spend any more money developing a roll full of unusable photos!”

 

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The analogue aesthetic

The grainy and imperfect aesthetic of film is undeniably iconic, and often the reason people choose to load up that old point and shoot bought from a charity shop. But when crystal clear images are quite literally at our fingertipswhy are we drawn to the film look? Nostalgia is most likely the culprit.  

“It’s all about nostalgia,” Duncan explains, “the grain, the bokeh, the contrast. Film is timeless and will always be relevant because it captures the feeling of the environment. When I look back and I see my parent’s film albums from the 1980s I’m transported back to that era.”

Despite digital photography making huge advances in the last 20 years, analogue photography has made somewhat of a resurgence. Why is that?

Duncan continues, “Sure, digital photography can get quite close to the film look using in-camera settings and post-production editing, but you can almost always spot a digital photo that has been manipulated. Some magic happens in the lab or darkroom which is chemical and natural.”

Swift agrees, saying, “I think film is making a comeback because it provides a sometimes imperfect look which makes your photos unique in a day and age where everyone has smartphones that are capable of taking almost perfect photos at the press of a button.”

Both photographers also emphasise the positive online communities surrounding film photography. Swift highlights how “there’s a huge online community dedicated to film. One of the main ones I enjoy is Lomography. It focuses on the imperfections which come along with using older analogue equipment so as film burns and overexposuresit’s all pretty arty.”

Despite digital photography making huge advances in the last 20 years, analogue photography has made somewhat of a resurgence. Why is that?

Duncan also notes that the online film photography communities are a melting pot of creativity and individuality: “One difference I found between the film and digital community was there was more experimental work being done using film. Because of the nature of film, I find that people are more inclined to try to push the boundaries of what their gear is capable of.”

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to dig out that old point and shoot that’s been collecting dust for the past few decades. Or, if you’re not lucky enough to have one lying about Swift himself told me he picked up a camera from Cash Converters for a couple of quid. Regardless of whether you’re a pro or an amateur, shooting film can help you push creative boundaries and ultimately make you a better photographer. Oh, did I mention it’s fun too?

Daryl Walker shares his ever-evolving journey as a professional travel photographer

As part of our partnership with Huawei and its global smartphone photography competition Next-Image awards 2020, we caught up with professional photographer Daryl Walker as he took part in the competition in the ‘Near Far’ category using the Huawei P40 Pro to capture the Positive Power of Creativity. The landscape photographer told us about his approach to photography and how he captures his own gems in nature.

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Walker’s photography represents a mixture of his love for nature, his emotive approach to storytelling and the many adventures he goes through in life; a full-blown celebration of planet Earth. “I’m an adventure and travel photographer. I’m always striving to capture the small details and the grand vistas.” He told Screen Shot.

Near Far, experimenting with capturing a new setting with Daryl Scott Walker

For his participation in the Huawei Next-Image awards 2020, Walker chose to submit his pictures in the ‘Near Far’ category with a series of captivating images depicting his trip to Minsteracres in Consett where sequoia trees have grown to impressive proportions to create magnificent avenues of giant trees. By using the Pro mode on his Huawei smartphone, Walker’s photography offers a different perspective of nature’s hidden gems. “Using the Huawei P40 Pro has allowed me to capture some incredible perspectives. To capture the sequoias, which are very large, I’ve also used the RAW feature built into the camera and the wide-angle lens, which gave me some extra room in nailing my final idea.”

Walker decided to do what he does best: to explore and capture nature in a way that we’ve never seen before. Capturing these settings on a smartphone allows Walker to always be ready to contain a fleeting moment; never missing a beat and making sure that the environment, from all its angles and beauties, is stored with him.

Daryl Walker shares his ever-evolving journey as a professional travel photographer

“My work primarily focuses on animals, landscapes, and aerial imagery—all with a sense of adventure. My ultimate goal in photography is to inspire others to get outside and find their own hidden gems, whether this is locally or further afield. This ultimately makes me want to continue exploring, finding new places, photographing them and showing them to others.”

Have you got a Huawei? Do you love snapping moments? Submit your pictures taken with a Huawei smartphone to the Huawei Next-Image awards 2020 for the chance to win a creation fund of up to $10,000 USD.

Even developing his career, Walker had always had a fascination with our planet’s natural beauty, which naturally evolved into his main inspiration. “I find inspiration through films and other media outlets but when you have places like this on your doorstep, my own adventures then become my inspiration.”

It is this same passion for adventure and his love of nature that give Walker the ability to capture striking and powerful moments. Born and raised in the North East of England, Walker always takes advantage of his easy access to Northumberland’s finest beaches and countryside. His love for exploring and being outside both drive him to constantly experiment with new settings.

Daryl Walker shares his ever-evolving journey as a professional travel photographer

Take your time

Walker started by simply wanting to capture special moments and places on his smartphone, which led him to chase sunrises and explore mountains. From there, he couldn’t imagine a life without photography, making sure he always took his time to enjoy the journey along the way, both in terms of his skills as a photographer and the physical journeys to the remote and wild places he chooses to capture. “The beauty of photography is that you never stop learning, there is always a new skill to master.”

Daryl Walker shares his ever-evolving journey as a professional travel photographer

Use your own perspective

Through his photography career, Walker uses pictures to celebrate our planet and the many hidden beauties it contains. But, as he explained, you can find inspiration from anything and use it to capture your own hidden gems. Most of Walker’s activities involve nature in one way or another, which is strongly mirrored in his photography. Find your own passion to share your unique perspective of the world. And in the words of Walker: “As always, adventure is out there. Let’s go and find it.”

Find more of Daryl’s work here.

Have you got a hidden gem in mind you’ve always wanted to share with the world? Capture it on your Huawei smartphone and submit it to the Huawei Next-Image awards 2020 for the chance to win a creation fund of up to $10,000 USD.