Film vs. Digital: Why I Shoot Both (And When I Choose Each)

Soft summer light shot on Fujifilm 400.

Film vs. Digital: Why I Shoot Both (And When I Choose Each)

I started shooting film long before digital cameras became accessible, so in many ways, film feels more original to my identity as a photographer. Having shot film long enough to see it cycle from standard practice to "obsolete" and then trendy again, when people ask me, "Film or digital?" my answer is always "Both." While it may seem old-school in our instant-gratification world, continuing to shoot film alongside digital has made me a better photographer overall.

The Aesthetic You Can't Fake

There's something undeniably magical about film's aesthetic. The grain structure, the way highlights roll off softly, and the analog feel. I've never been able to fully explain the differences, as these aren't just technical differences; they're emotional ones. Each film stock has its own personality: the creamy skin tones of Kodak Portra, the punchy contrast of Tri-X, the dreamy greens and blues of Fujifilm 400, or the unique halation and tungsten warmth of CineStill 800T, which gives neon lights an ethereal glow. These aren't filters you apply later; they're creative decisions you make before raising the camera.

Shooting with Intention

Film's most valuable lesson? Intentionality. When each frame costs money and you can't immediately delete the "bad" ones, every click becomes deliberate. There's no spray-and-pray mentality.

This discipline has revolutionized my digital work. Even with unlimited shots available, I naturally pause before pressing the shutter. I ask: "Is this worth capturing? What story am I telling?" The habits film requires creating better photography across all formats. I bring that intentionality into my digital work, and it helps me capture that decisive moment.

A Master Class in Light

Film photography is a crash course in understanding light. Without the safety net of checking your LCD or dramatically pushing shadows in post, you learn to read light like a language. You see how light falls across a face, how shadows define shape, how light quality changes throughout the day.

Working with black and white film has been particularly transformative and instrumental in my studies. Strip away color, and you're left with photography's fundamentals: light, shadow, texture, form. I've spent over 15 years studying how light moves through scenes, identifying shadow patterns, and learning to see contrast and tone in addition to color. I find one of the best ways to get a crash course in learning and understanding light and exposure is to start with black and white film on an SLR.

Always Hunting for Light and Shadow

My time with black and white film changed how I see the world. I'm constantly scanning for interesting shadow patterns, dramatic contrast, and the way light wraps around subjects. I've learned to recognize good light not just by its color temperature, but also by its quality and direction.

This heightened awareness has made me exponentially better with digital. I can anticipate how scenes will look before checking my meter. I understand when to expose for highlights versus shadows. I work more confidently in challenging light because I've learned to embrace contrast rather than fear it. I find these light scenarios often create a more dramatic and lasting effect on the image.

The Decisive Moment

With only 36 exposures per roll, you can't waste frames on almost-moments. You learn to anticipate, wait, and recognize when all elements come together perfectly. This patience, this anticipation, has transformed my approach to all photography; instead of capturing everything that moves, I wait for the moment when gesture, expression, light, and composition align, and when I capture the essence of a person. It's a thrill that keeps me inspired and motivated.

When I Choose Each Format

Film comes out for projects where I want to slow down, be contemplative, and be deliberate. It's perfect for portraits with its organic skin rendering, or for street photography where grain adds to the mood. I love film for travel too. I can never get over the feeling about developing those roles weeks later, which adds to the adventure and the anticipation of seeing the captured moments unfold.

Digital is the call for client work that requires reliability and quick turnaround, low-light situations that necessitate high ISO, and scenarios where I need immediate feedback and adjustments.

The Best of Both Worlds

Film and digital aren't competing as they're complementary tools for me. Film taught me to be more thoughtful, to understand light on a fundamental level, and to value each frame. These lessons have strengthened and made my digital work more intentional.

If you've only shot digital, try film. Start with a simple camera, and I would recommend black and white film: study light and shadow. Learn to see in contrast and form. The skills you develop will enhance every photograph you take, regardless of medium.

The camera is a tool, an extension of our creative eye. What matters is beyond the viewfinder and the intention behind each frame. Film simply taught me to use that tool more thoughtfully.