In an era dominated by megapixels, instant sharing, and AI filters, it might seem strange, maybe even outdated to load a roll of film, wind a lever, and wait days or weeks to see your results. But for many photographers, shooting film isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a conscious creative choice. Here’s why film photography still matters, and why you should give it a shot.
There’s a special kind of magic that happens when your newly developed B&W film, previously just a ghostly negative, transforms into a rich black and white print under the glow of a red light. In part one of this blog series, we explored the process of developing your own film, the first step in reclaiming control of your photographic journey. Now it’s time to bring your negatives to life through darkroom printing.
There’s something magical about the anticipation of seeing an image appear on your film for the first time. At DarkLab, we believe black & white development is more than just a technical process, it's a ritual. Whether you're a newcomer to the darkroom or looking to refine your technique, here’s our tried-and-tested approach to developing black & white film.
Film photography isn't just about choosing between black and white or colour. It also comes in different formats, each with its own characteristics. Whether you're using a vintage 35mm camera, a medium format system, or even experimenting with large format photography, the choice of film format has a significant impact on the final image.
Despite the rise of digital photography, film photography remains a beloved medium for many photographers, offering a unique aesthetic and a hands-on approach to image-making. Whether you're new to film or a seasoned analogue enthusiast, understanding the different types of photographic film can help you choose the right one for your creative vision.
The exposure triangle is one of the fundamental concepts in photography, forming the foundation of how images are captured. It consists of three elements which are the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. These work together to control the amount of light that reaches the Film or in the digital world, the camera’s sensor. Understanding how these settings interact allows you to take creative control over your images and achieve the desired exposure.
Film photography is magic. You take a photo, but you can’t see it right away which in photography is called a Latent Image. The image is captured on the roll of film inside your camera but the film needs to be developed in a darkroom first in order to see the actual exposure you took.
