This Is Film

Film isn't dead. This Is Film has made that a clear and strong statement. Film is not a forgotten manner of capturing a memory, a moment or a concept; it is in fact very much alive and is making a comeback on so many creative levels. It is again being seen as a means to capture holidays, high-fashion shoots, weddings, music, events and landscapes, almost everything.


The website; This Is Film launched a couple of months ago and has been promoting, supporting and inspiring the minds of film enthusiasts and those new to film, ever since. The website boasts a gallery of photos (click: here) by local photographers, competitions to enter, events to attend and creative ideas to pursue.

The film community is a growing one and with concepts like "Film Swap" photographers get the chance to connect and shoot double exposures. Quite simply, a 1st photographer goes out and shoots whatever they desire and then a 2nd photographer shoots over that same roll of film, causing a double exposure and of course, creating some extremely creative and captivating images. Check out some of them below and here:

1st Photographer: Jan Otto
2nd Photographer: Tauriq Dolley

More Photos: here

Those looking to explore the world of film should definitely have a look at this article: Finding the Perfect Film Camera as it not only explains the magic and beauty of analogue but also categorizes the cameras that would be considered, "cheap and fun" or "high-end." I would find this particularly helpful as at this stage, so many will easily recommend digital as the only way and means of photographing.

This leads to the ultimate question, that many ask; but why film? Film requires patience, the first roll could be out of focus, under/over exposed or blurred but that teaches one things that digital happy snaps will not, exposure settings, ISO, manual focus, etc. Because you will have a limited number of images to shoot per film roll, instead of snapping away at random, you will focus, perfect, obsess over details when you shoot, creating images that may not have translated with such passion on digital. Analogue may also be your "voice" photographically and if you never try, you will never know.

A personal favourite exhibited in the gallery
Caroline Mackintosh

So there you go, for those interested or already shooting analogue, you know where to go for your fix; http://thisisfilm.co.za/

Happy shooting. ▲

- Danielle Olivier