Not popular opinion, I know.
Let me start with this: I love film photography. It’s beautiful, timeless, and feels like pure magic when done right. But would I recommend it to someone just starting out? Honestly—no. And here’s why.
1. We Live in a Digital World—So Start There
Even if you eventually want to shoot film, you’re going to need to understand digital first. Why? Because every photographer today works with digital, whether it’s for clients, socials, or editing.
If you skip that part and start straight with film, you’re skipping essential skills like:
– Manual exposure adjustments
– Quick camera settings under pressure
– Digital post-processing
You need those to work efficiently and confidently later—especially if you plan to shoot professionally.
2. Film Is Forgiving—Too Forgiving for Beginners
One of the reasons people say to start with film is because it “forces you to slow down.” That’s true. Film makes you think before you press the shutter. It teaches patience and intention.
But here’s the flip side: film forgives a lot. You can overexpose film by up to 8 stops and still get a usable image. That sounds good, but it doesn’t teach you how to control exposure precisely. With digital, you instantly see your mistakes and learn faster.
If you want to actually learn how aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together—start with digital.
3. You Won’t Learn Editing
With film, the “editing” is done for you—by the type of film you choose and the lab that develops it. That means:
– You won’t learn how to color grade or adjust tones.
– You won’t experiment with different editing styles.
– You won’t build an editing workflow that you can later use professionally.
Digital teaches you how to create your own look—which is a huge part of building a brand and style.
4. Film Is Expensive. Really Expensive
Let’s talk numbers:
– One roll of film: ~€10
– Development: €15–16
– That’s ~€25 for 36 photos. Around €0.70 per click.
Now imagine you’re a beginner, trying to practice. Would you want every photo you take to cost money? Probably not. That pressure can actually make learning harder because you’re afraid to experiment.
With digital, you shoot thousands of frames, make mistakes, learn fast, and it costs nothing.
5. Film Slows Down Your Digital Learning Curve
If your goal is to shoot professionally one day, you need to be fast and confident with your digital camera. You should be able to adjust exposure without even thinking. That only comes with lots of digital practice.
If you start with film, you delay that process. You’ll learn the “feel” of photography, but not the technical side that actually helps you grow.
When the time comes to shoot your first real client, you don’t want to be fumbling with buttons—you want to be focused on the person in front of you.
Final Thoughts
Film is beautiful. It’s romantic. It’s artistic. But as a starting point, it’s just not practical.
Here’s what I’d do instead:
– Start with a simple digital mirrorless camera.
– Practice exposure, composition, and editing.
– Build confidence and technical speed.
– Then pick up a film camera for fun, creativity, and personal growth.
Master the craft. Then enjoy the magic.
