We’ve all heard it, the debates, the romanticism, even the occasional eye-roll.
“Film has more soul.”
“Digital is sterile.”
“You can’t beat the dynamic range of modern sensors.”
“But grain! Texture! The alchemy of celluloid!”
As a photographer, I’ve spent years (read decades) behind both types of cameras. Digital is my daily tool responsive, reliable, capable of rendering color and light in extraordinary ways. But I’ll be honest: film still pulls at something deeper in me.
Not because it’s “better.” But because it asks something different.
A film picture of a mother begging for money from 1972 in the Far east – Ilford 300 ISO
The Intent Behind the Shutter
With film, every frame costs you. There’s no burst mode. No “chimping.” No 1,000 raw files to sort later. You work slower. You think before you shoot. You watch the light. And the mistakes? They sting a little more. That’s the point.
Film doesn’t care if you’re in a rush. It rewards patience and punishes distraction.
“Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop.” — Ansel Adams
Digital, on the other hand, encourages experimentation. It gives us room to fail, try again, and evolve quickly. It’s the reason most of us can refine our style, workflow, and results faster than any generation before us.
But What Are We Losing in That Speed?
When everything is instant, do we still see?
Are we letting the abundance of pixels dull our perception of the moment? Do we shoot to get something, anything, rather than wait for the thing? I’m not here to preach the gospel of film, but I do think the medium you shoot with changes the photographer you become.
And sometimes, in the middle of an oversharpened, noise-reduced, algorithm-smoothed image, I miss the imperfections. The mystery. The quiet unpredictability of film.
2024, Antarctic, a 60 MP sensor (one of 200 images that day) stunning detail.
Maybe It’s Not One or the Other
Some of my best image emotionally, not technically, were shot on film. Some of my most powerful storytelling work has only ever existed digitally.
Maybe it’s not about which is superior. Maybe it’s about reminding ourselves that each tool shapes the way we see. And once in a while, it’s worth picking up a slower one, just to remember what we’ve been rushing past.
Final Thought
In the end, the image is yours. The camera film or digital is just the conversation starter.
“The beauty of film is in its finality. You either got the shot or you didn’t.” — James Ringrose
So the question isn’t which camera you use.
It’s: What are you trying to say?
Love Photography? Fancy an Adventure? Need to justify a new lens?
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For those new to photography, we’ve included dedicated time to discuss workflow and Lightroom editing techniques. With accommodation, meals, internet, local transport, and even a few cold beers (or wine) included, all you need to bring is your camera and a sense of adventure. Click for more details.
James Ringrose
James, the founder of Real Cool Photography Tours, has dedicated the past five decades to capturing stunning images for both work and personal enjoyment. Initially, his passion for photography led him on a personal quest to find the perfect shot. However, this quest transformed into a mission to guide photographers from around the globe to immerse themselves in opportunities to create breathtaking photographs of Costa Rica's natural beauty.
Join us for a curated, photo adventure in Costa Rica, where every day brings new opportunities to capture once-in-a-lifetime shots. From lush jungles to incredible wildlife, you’ll discover challenging and inspiring photographic moments.