The Enchantment of Cinema, the Convenience of Digitization, and My Need for a Combined Approach in Photography.
In a world where digital photography reigns supreme, offering instant gratification and an abundance of images, some photographers are turning to the slower, more intentional approach of film photography. Sebastian Oakley, a professional photographer with a rich history in the industry, is one such individual who has found a new appreciation for this classic medium.
Film photography, with its unique aesthetic and tactile experience, offers a distinctive organic look that is difficult to replicate digitally. The physicality of handling film and mechanical cameras adds a hands-on dimension that many photographers find enriching and creatively stimulating. Oakley, who is familiar with various formats of photography, including 35mm, medium, and large-format, using products from brands like Leica, Phase One, Hasselblad, Alpa, and Sinar, has discovered that shooting film, especially black-and-white, is a deliberate step towards becoming a slower, more intentional photographer.
The deliberate pace of film photography encourages a stronger connection with the craft and subject matter. Each frame shot on film is considered carefully, as there are only 36 opportunities compared to potentially thousands of images in digital photography. This limited number of exposures compels careful planning and thoughtful composition, fostering creativity by encouraging photographers to prioritize quality over quantity and to anticipate results before shooting.
Moreover, the delayed gratification intrinsic to film — waiting to develop rolls and see outcomes — promotes reflection, memory consolidation, and pattern recognition. This mental pause can support artistic growth, technical skill development, and deeper learning about photographic principles. Oakley, who has spent his free time using his Leica M-E or Leica M2 for street and documentary photography in black and white, has experienced this firsthand.
Despite the advantages of digital photography, Oakley still values the unique feeling provided by film photography. The process of viewing a developed film negative is a quiet, lasting, and significant experience for the photographer. Shooting on film, especially with Leica cameras, feels like a conversation rather than a command. The act of shooting film, especially black-and-white, strips away the distractions of color, leaving only form, emotion, and truth.
Oakley, a member of Nikon NPS and the youngest member ever elected into BEWA, the British Equestrian Writers' Association, acknowledges the joy in the immediacy of digital photography. However, he finds a certain magic in the slower, more intentional process of film photography, which offers a meaningful alternative to digital’s speed and ease, preserving craftsmanship and thoughtful artistry in photography.
For those capturing fleeting, spontaneous, and everyday moments of a growing family, digital photography is preferred. The thrill of receiving a perfectly exposed and composed scan or print from film photography is unique, but the demands of life often don't allow for traditional film photography. Nevertheless, the allure of film photography continues to captivate photographers like Sebastian Oakley, who find in its deliberate pace, creative constraints, and unique aesthetic a deep engagement with the photographic process that digital photography cannot replicate.
- Sebastian Oakley, a professional photographer and member of Nikon NPS, has found a new appreciation for the slower pace of film photography, which serves as a meaningful alternative to digital's speed and ease.
- Filming photography, especially black-and-white, strips away distractions like color, leaving only form, emotion, and truth when using a Leica camera.
- Shooting film encourages a stronger connection with the craft and subject matter, as each frame is carefully considered due to the limited number of exposures compared to digital photography.
- The delayed gratification of film photography, such as waiting to develop rolls and see outcomes, fosters reflection, memory consolidation, and pattern recognition, supporting artistic growth, technical skill development, and deeper learning about photographic principles.
- Several photography review outlets have praised the mirrorless Leica cameras for their superior sensor, video capabilities, and autofocus performance, making them ideal for certain professional applications in both still photography and videography.
- In the context of lifestyle and technology news, the rise of drone photography has revolutionized the way we capture aerial video and images, offering stunning perspectives on landscapes, events, and cityscapes.
- For those capturing fleeting, spontaneous, and everyday moments of a growing family, digital photography often offers the immediacy and ease of capturing those memories in high-resolution and with quick shutter speeds, despite the allure of film's unique aesthetic and tactile experience.
