Learn How to Use 35mm Film Cameras and Develop Your Own Film.
Humans in Love Falling in Love With Film Photography
Okay, so not specifically an in depth how to guide on using film cameras, but more of an insight into what exactly is involved in the BLOOM analogue photography experience shoots!
First off, I should really yell out a massive thank you and appreciation for Make it Easy, our local community darkroom & lab here in Nottingham. Dan patiently listened to my ramblings and has supported my eagerness to get this up and running!
Here I’ll go through a step by step guide on what to expect when you book on the Bloom Analogue experience with me.
I mostly hear a response of “I’ve never used a camera before, never mind a film camera!” and that is absolutely fine. I have a selection of 35mm cameras which we can put to good use depending on your ability, but TBH it’s not really about the technicalities either, So I always tend to suggest using my little Canon AF35 camera which is a great little point and shoot film camera from the 80’s! It’s mechanical and noisy in a lovely nostalgic way and I absolutely adore the images it produces. The best part is that you don’t need to be a professional photographer or a tech wiz to use it… You literally point and shoot!
The whole ethos of these photoshoots and why I have incorporated them into pre-wedding photoshoots (or Engagement Photoshoots) is because it’s an opportunity to take it slow, re-connect with your partner for an unforgettable and magic experience. If you’ve never shot and processed film before, this will have you well and truly hooked! I’m almost certain of it!
A perfect ice breaker and morning pick-me-up is a nice coffee, and luckily there are a few great spots around Nottingham! I always like to meet up at one of these Cafés so we can have a sit and chat, I’ll show your the workings of our cameras and get them loaded with some film. - I usually go for some good ol’ Kodak Tri-X film which is a ISO 400 rated film so it’s great for mixed use of some indoor and outdoor photos - it absolutely loves light so you can’t really go much wrong. If anything, the faff of digital is so much more complicated and confusing! FILM WAS MADE TO BE EASY!
Next off, we’ll skip on out of one of the fine coffee establishments that are kind enough to let us shoot inside. We’ll head to some of the gorgeous spots in the city that Notts has to offer. Here I encourage you to get creative, make portraits of each other, the surroundings & little details. They all pull together for you to have snapshots of these little moments you’ve shared. I’ll also stop us off in some cool spots for you to have some nice relaxed portraits done using my Medium Format camera, again using some lush Tri-X film, as well as documenting the whole thing on digital too so we can seamlessly tie the whole experience together!
Soon after we’ve finished a roll of film - Remember, you only have 36 photos to take, so again it’s a great experience to slow down, be more intentional with each shot you choose to make. We don’t rush things! It’s so amazing to watch as you both settle in to using the Camera and get into the whole experience, most of the time finding either a newfound or rekindling an old passion with photography and making photos on 35mm cameras.
We’ve become so engrossed with taking snapshots of things on our phones that it has become a normality and mostly meaningless. We forget about them as our camera roll fills to the brim with images. Whereas having only 36 pictures, made with intent and meaning can bring so much more joy! Not forgetting that the whole process is analogue, so to have something tangible by the end of it makes the whole experience so much more enriched!
“The day was a 10/10, and getting to take part in the process from start to finish and relight that spark of 35mm camera loving that I kinda lost once adult life took over, was amazing. I could tell that Jack loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to have Jack explore that world of 35mm and maybe even dig out my medium format!”
Lastly, We’ll head back to the Lab where you’ll have a run down of how we develop the film using photo chemicals to produce your negatives!
This again, is a slowed down process, you’ll learn how to feed the film onto a spool. We do this with some old film first so you can practice, especially since you need to load the actual film in complete darkness which in itself is a relaxing experience that’ll heighten your senses, bang some of your favourite tunes on and you’re away!
Once it’s on the spool and safely in the Paterson Tank, this is a light tight container we use to pour the chemicals into to develop your film.
The whole process takes around 15-20 minutes from loading up the film to pulling out your freshly developed negatives! It’s an absolute magical experience that still blows my mind! No computers or Digital cameras. Just pure sunlight hitting all the right places, captured in this little box, which we then mix in with some chemicals and grow some silver crystals that basically represent you glorious human beings! That’s Photography!
Check out the rest of the photos from this Photography Experience with Beth & Jack in Nottingham for their Pre-Wedding Photoshoot.
Do the looks & sound of this fill you with as much excitement as it does me?!
For some more information and to get in touch to book a photoshoot
Go HERE