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If you’re new to film photography, the variety of film types available may surprise you. Each type has its own qualities, from the vibrant tones of color negative film to the high contrast of black and white film. Choosing the right film type can impact how your images look, shaping everything from color profiles to texture and grain.
This guide will walk you through popular film types and help you choose one that matches your creative vision. Understanding different film types can help you decide if you’re more drawn to soft, nostalgic images or bold, striking effects.
What Are the Main Types of Film?
With several types of film to explore, knowing which is best for your needs can make your first experience with film photography smoother. Here’s a breakdown of some common options:
Color Negative Film
Color negative film is one of the best choices for beginners due to its forgiving exposure range. Known for its rich color reproduction, it’s a top choice for many looking to capture natural skin tones and vibrant landscapes. Kodak Portra 400 and Fujifilm Superia 400 are widely popular in this category. This type of film performs well across different lighting conditions, which means it’s perfect for anyone starting with street photography, portraiture, or travel shots.
Black and White Film
For a classic or artistic touch, black and white film is an excellent film type to explore. Stripping color from the image emphasizes light, shadow, and texture, creating high-contrast visuals. Ilford HP5 and Kodak Tri-X are popular black and white film types that deliver depth and mood, ideal for street photography and portraits. Black and white film offers flexibility in development, allowing photographers to adjust contrast and detail.
Color Slide Film
Color slide or transparency film is known for producing images with high color fidelity and sharp details. Kodak Ektachrome and Fujifilm Velvia are two standout slide films, each offering a unique color profile. While color slide film has a narrower exposure latitude, making it less forgiving, its vibrant results are ideal for capturing landscapes and nature scenes where color accuracy matters. Slide film requires precise exposure but can produce stunning, high-impact images.
Specialty Films for Creative Photography
For photographers seeking unique effects, specialty film types offer exciting options beyond traditional films.
Infrared Film
ISO rating indicates a film’s sensitivity to light, an important consideration across all film types. Low ISO films like Kodak Ektar 100 are ideal for bright conditions and offer fine details, while high ISO films like Ilford HP5 400 perform well in low-light settings with higher grain. Choose a film type based on where you’ll be shooting and the lighting conditions.
Redscale Film
Redscale film delivers warm red, orange, and yellow hues by reversing the way light reaches the emulsion. This effect can be unexpected but adds a unique, fiery tone to images, making redscale film an excellent option for those who enjoy experimenting with color. Learn more about redscale film on followthegrain.com.
Instant Film
Instant film offers quick results, with brands like Polaroid and Fujifilm Instax making it easy to see your shots in minutes. While not as precise as other types, instant film has a nostalgic appeal and is perfect for casual, candid photography. Instant film is often popular for social gatherings or travel moments, where the tangible photo itself becomes part of the experience.
How to Choose the Right Film for Your Photography
Selecting the right film type depends on various factors, including your lighting conditions, desired color palette, and texture preferences.
Film Speed (ISO)
The film’s ISO rating determines its sensitivity to light. Lower ISO films like Kodak Ektar 100 produce fine details but are best suited for bright conditions, while higher ISO films like Ilford HP5 400 can handle low-light settings, adding noticeable grain that works well in night or indoor photography. Choose your film speed based on your lighting needs.
Color Palette
Different film stocks bring out unique color palettes. Kodak Portra is known for warm, soft tones, making it a favorite for portrait work. Fujifilm Velvia, with its highly saturated colors, is ideal for capturing landscapes. Knowing the color palette of each film helps you match your film choice to your photography goals.
Grain and Texture
Grain adds character to your photos, and some films are designed for fine grain while others have more pronounced textures. Fine-grain films, like Kodak Gold 200, offer smoother images, while grainier films like Kodak Tri-X 400 add a vintage feel, particularly suited to black and white photography.
Where to Buy Film
Whether you’re new to film photography or an experienced shooter, getting your hands on the right film stock is easy. Online retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama offer a wide range of films for every need. Local camera shops are also great for discovering rare or specialty film stocks.
If you’re just starting out, consider Kodak Portra or Ilford HP5 as versatile, beginner-friendly options. For more experienced photographers, experimenting with slide films like Fujifilm Velvia or specialty films like infrared or redscale can bring a creative edge to your projects.
To learn more about shooting film, check out our comprehensive guide on How to Shoot Film Photography: A Beginner’s Guide. Also, explore the difference between 35mm & 120mm film to understand better what each format brings to your creative work.
Conclusion
Choosing a film stock isn’t just a technical decision—it’s a creative one that lets you explore your artistic style. The type of film you choose can give you more control over colors, textures, and tones, from the smooth warmth of color negative film to the stark drama of black and white. Dive into film photography with an open mind, and don’t hesitate to experiment.
Ready to take the plunge into film photography? Check out our post on the Best 35mm Film for Street Photography or explore the Top Film Stocks for Portraits to find the perfect film for your next shoot. And if you’re hunting for the right camera, browse through our Best Compact Film Cameras for Street Photography.
