Choosing the right Film Stock
Picking the right film stock is one of the most exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) parts of shooting on film. It’s like choosing the perfect brush for a painting—it shapes the tone, mood, and feel of your final image. With so many options available, how do you narrow it down? Start by considering these key factors:
1. Lighting Conditions
Film stocks vary in how they handle light, so think about your shooting environment:
Bright sunlight: Lower ISO films, like Kodak Gold 200 or Fuji Pro 400H, thrive in well-lit settings, delivering vibrant colours and fine details.
Shade or low light: Higher ISO films, like Ilford Delta 3200 or Kodak Portra 800, are designed to handle dim lighting, providing versatility without needing a flash.
2. Colour vs Black-and-White
This choice sets the emotional tone of your images:
Colour: Ideal for vibrant, lifelike photos that pop with detail. Films like Kodak Ektar 100 are perfect for punchy landscapes, while Fuji Pro 400H offers soft, pastel tones.
Black-and-white: A timeless choice that strips away distractions, focusing on light, shadow, and emotion. Try Ilford HP5+ for dramatic grain or Kodak T-Max for a cleaner, sharper look.
3. Grain: Clean or Gritty?
Grain gives film its unique character:
Fine-grain films: Kodak Portra 160 is smooth and subtle, perfect for portraits and professional work.
Textured, gritty films: For a more dramatic feel, Ilford HP5+ or Lomography 800 add depth and texture that enhances mood.
4. Tone and Mood
Each film stock has its own “personality”:
Soft and dreamy: Fuji Pro 400H creates pastel-like tones, ideal for weddings and light-filled portraits.
Bold and vivid: Kodak Ektar 100 delivers rich, saturated colours, making it a favourite for travel and nature photography.
Cinematic and moody: Cinestill 800T is a standout for urban night photography with its tungsten-balanced tones and halation effects.
5. Purpose: Match Your Vision
Your subject and style should guide your choice:
Portraits: Kodak Portra 400 is the gold standard for capturing natural skin tones.
Landscapes: Kodak Ektar 100 excels with its vivid colours and fine details.
Creative or experimental: Lomography stocks like Lomochrome Purple or Cinestill bring a fun, artistic twist.
6. Test and Explore
One of the joys of film photography is the variety each stock brings. Don’t be afraid to experiment—shoot a few rolls of different films and see how they align with your vision. Keep notes on how they perform in various conditions so you can hone your favourites over time.
The Beauty of Film
Unlike digital, film adds an unpredictable, organic quality to your work. From the subtle differences in grain to the way each stock renders colour, film is an art form in itself. Taking the time to understand and choose the right stock will bring your creative ideas to life in ways you never expected.