Podcast Summary: The Heart & Hustle Podcast – Episode 407: “Does Film Intimidate You? Here’s How to Get Started”

Release Date: November 12, 2024

Hosts:

• Evie McLeod (A)
• Lindsey Roman (B)

Introduction to Film Photography

In Episode 407 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman delve into the world of film photography, catering to both beginners intrigued by its nostalgic charm and seasoned digital photographers considering the transition to film.

Evie: “Today's conversation is going to apply to kind of two different groups of people. So just listen up. If you're like, does this apply to me or not? Probably.” [00:28]

Lindsey: “You already know the answer because you clicked on this episode.—Film photography. Let's go.” [00:19]

The Enduring Allure of Film

Lindsey emphasizes that film photography never truly went out of style, highlighting its resurgence in modern culture due to Gen Z's preference for authentic and less polished visuals. This cultural shift has made film a trendy choice once again.

Lindsey: “There's culturally a phenomenon… Film just lends itself so, so well into that. … And it never left, but it’s… more trendy and popular.” [03:16]

Starting with a Point-and-Shoot Camera

For those new to film, the hosts recommend beginning with a point-and-shoot film camera due to its simplicity and low barrier to entry. These cameras allow users to focus on capturing shots without the complexities of manual settings.

Evie: “If you are not super experienced with film in general, I would really recommend starting with a point and shoot film camera… it's going to be better than a disposable.” [04:35]

Lindsey: “Point and shoot… you hold a camera, you point it and you shoot it. … you’re gonna get relatively the same like disposable Camera quality, obviously it’s gonna be a little better than a disposable camera.” [05:04]

Recommendations for Cameras and Purchasing Tips

Evie and Lindsey share their preferred point-and-shoot models, such as the Olympus Super Zoom 3500, and caution beginners against jumping to high-priced cameras. They suggest sourcing cameras from local film shops, Etsy, or eBay, ensuring sellers have positive reviews to guarantee quality.

Evie: “We both still shoot on point with certain, you know, shoots or stuff for personal or even occasionally on like a wedding.” [06:14]

Lindsey: “When you’re looking on where to get them… I recommend an actual local film shop. … You could always go to Etsy or eBay, look for mint condition.” [08:00]

Lindsey: “The main point and shoot that we both use is the Olympus Super Zoom 3500.” [08:48]

Developing and Scanning Film

The next step after acquiring a camera is finding a reliable film lab for developing and scanning. The hosts prefer local labs like Reformed Film Lab in Florida but also mention mail-in services for convenience. They advise against using chain stores like Walgreens for quality results.

Evie: “The next step that is different than DSLR films. No cameras… find a place that you want to develop the film.” [13:05]

Lindsey: “What I would avoid is, like, going to Walgreens and having them don’t do that well.” [13:55]

Evie: “I would personally highly recommend going into your local film store.” [11:28]

Choosing and Experimenting with Film Stock

Lindsey and Evie discuss the importance of selecting the right film stock, advising beginners to experiment with different types to discover personal preferences. They cover color vs. black and white stocks and the significance of ISO ratings in determining film sensitivity to light.

Lindsey: “You can either choose a color stock or a black and white stock… every 36 are going to be colored.” [15:19]

Evie: “The higher the number is, like, the more light it lets in… Portra 400 is probably like the most professional film stock for professional photographers.” [16:20]

Evie: “Experiment and have fun. You will find the type of film you like. And honestly, all film is so flipping gorgeous.” [19:04]

Integrating Film into Photography Sessions

For professional photographers, the hosts advise practicing with film by offering free sessions to familiarize themselves with the medium before integrating it into paid work. Clear communication with clients about the experimental nature of film is crucial to manage expectations.

Lindsey: “Start experimenting in life and shooting in life… then once you do that and kinda get a groove with that, that's when I would then suggest bringing it on sessions or wedding days.” [20:13]

Evie: “Communicate that to your clients. … Extreme that it’s like newer or an experimentation camera.” [21:20]

Lindsey: “If you're ready to offer this as a service to my photography clients… you need to communicate expectations.” [22:17]

Common Questions and Tips

The conversation addresses common queries such as handling scans, editing film photos, and preserving negatives. The hosts recommend keeping negatives for future use and minimally editing scans to maintain the authentic film aesthetic.

Evie: “Check the seller reviews… keep your negatives… just keep your negatives from day one.” [07:45]

Lindsey: “Do you edit your film scans when they come back? For the most part I don’t… it's only small adjustments like straightening the horizon.” [31:55]

Evie: “Film scans come in JPEG format… you can't like change them as much as raw images.” [32:27]

Personal Experiences with Different Cameras

Evie and Lindsey share their experiences with various film cameras, including the Canon AE1, Pentax Me Super, and Canon Rebel T1i, highlighting the advantages and challenges of each. They emphasize the importance of familiarizing oneself with the camera's features to streamline the shooting process.

Lindsey: “Canon AE1 is a SLR… it's a really good film camera, especially if your subjects aren't moving.” [37:07]

Evie: “Pentax Me Super… similar to the Canon AE1… I have the Canon Rebel Ti… Pentax and Canon SLRs are incredible.” [39:10]

Lindsey: “When you’re shooting digital, EF lenses on this… easily interchangeable lenses are a game changer.” [43:04]

Managing Costs and Practicing Mindful Shooting

The hosts discuss the costs associated with film photography, emphasizing budgeting for film rolls and development. They encourage valuing each shot, given the higher cost per photo compared to digital, fostering a more thoughtful and intentional approach to photography.

Evie: “A roll of film with 36 exposures typically is usually between 10 and $15… Every roll of film is usually about 30-ish, like 20 to $30.” [33:10]

Lindsey: “Roughly every time you hit the shutter button, it’s a dollar.” [33:57]

Encouragement to Experiment and Share

Evie and Lindsey conclude the episode by urging listeners to embrace film photography's unique qualities. They invite audience interaction, encouraging listeners to share their film photos and experiences, fostering a community of aspiring and established film photographers.

Lindsey: “Hope it was helpful… start with a point and shoot. Find a good place to develop your film and grab one film stock out the gate and then go shoot and just see the results.” [48:51]

Evie: “Can you send us a DM with some of your photos? I would love to see what you shoot.” [49:25]

Conclusion

Episode 407 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast provides a comprehensive guide for those interested in starting with film photography. Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman offer practical advice, personal insights, and motivational encouragement to help listeners navigate the world of film, whether for personal enjoyment or professional growth.

Notable Quotes:

• Lindsey (03:16): “Film just lends itself so, so well into that. Whether you’re a professional photographer, seeing it kind of rise up in a trend again, it never left, but it’s more trendy and popular.”

• Evie (04:35): “If you are not super experienced with film in general, I would really recommend starting with a point and shoot film camera…”

• Lindsey (08:48): “The main point and shoot that we both use is the Olympus Super Zoom 3500.”

• Evie (21:20): “Communicate that to your clients. … Extreme that it’s like newer or an experimentation camera.”

• Lindsey (31:55): “Do you edit your film scans when they come back? For the most part I don’t… it's only small adjustments like straightening the horizon.”

• Evie (33:10): “A roll of film with 36 exposures typically is usually between 10 and $15… Every roll of film is usually about 30-ish, like 20 to $30.”

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