Film vs Digital: Which wedding photography style is for you?
Film wedding photography has an authenticity and a genuine nature that digital wedding photography can’t replicate but, is it right for you?
Taken on 35mm film - Dylan and Hana’s Wedding
When professional photographers refer to the term “film” they’re talking about the sort of photographical equipment your parents used. An analogue camera - robust, mechanical, built to withstand the test of time - uses 35mm film or medium format. The main difference between these two types of “film” is the resolution, finer grain and better image quality. 35mm film has a more pronounced grain structure but offers more shots per roll. I’ll stop right there before it gets too geeky but just know that each type of film offers a slice of nostalgia through soft tones and natural grain. Don’t worry about what sort of “film” your wedding photographer uses. They know their camera and each sort of film best. Trust them.
Trust?
That perfectly sums up film wedding photography. No one gets to see any preview of the images taken on the wedding day. You change the camera settings to the best of your knowledge, take the snap and wait. You can dream about what the image will look like but it’s only until you receive the dropbox link where you get to see your photographs. If I can liken it anything it would be like opening a gift on Christmas or your birthday. You make a suggestion to the people you know, you wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, and only on Christmas morning you see your gift under the tree and open it. It’s often a euphoric feeling. The backbone of all of this is trust. You trust that you’ve adjusted the camera settings correctly. You trust that the people close to you buy the thing you’ve requested for Christmas. As a wedding couple, you’re putting the entirety of your trust into the wedding photographer you choose film wedding photography.
The Pros?
Film photos have a romantic, nostalgic look. Unique colors + creamy highlights create tangible and timeless images (archival quality). It encourages slower, intentional storytelling.
The Cons?
More expensive (film + processing costs) and you get fewer photos overall. You occasionally get undesired results and the style is less forgiving in very low light.
Digital photograph - Charlie and Ginger’s Wedding
Ok, let’s talk digital wedding photography. This is the most common sort of photography style you’ll see at a wedding. The photos are sharp, instantly reviewable, versatile and perfect for capturing every single moment. Sounds like the dream? Yeah. Well. It almost is. As a wedding photographer, it’s really easy to work with a digital camera and I’ll explain why.
Digital cameras are way more technological than you think they are. You may have heard of the term DSLR? These are what the first digital cameras were called. It’s called a Digital Single-Lens Reflex. The difference between DSLR and a film SLR camera is the sensor. DSLR was so transformative for it’s time considering it had a digital sensor that would capture the images and make them instantly reviewable. Since the creation of the DSLR, cameras have been made with new technology every single year so much so that we now have camera systems called mirrorless. The mirrorless cameras that a lot of professional photographers use now are filled with AI focus systems, WiFi and bluetooth systems. It’s never been easier to achieve the desired results from your photographs than now.
Does easier mean better?
The ease of capturing every moment and smile comes at a cost of intentional storytelling and creativity. Less critical thinking is utilised when taking a digital photograph compared to a film photograph. There’s more room for error which has an impact on your attention to lighting, composition and the finer details of your craft.
The Pros?
Unlimited frames = captures everything. There a more flexible editing styles (light & airy, dark & moody, vibrant). The photos are excellent in all lighting conditions and come at a lower cost compared to film.
The Cons?
Digital photos can feel less “romantic” or “artistic” than film if not styled intentionally. There is a high risk of overshooting and not curating carefully. The general feel of the photographs may lack the nostalgic elements of a film photographs.
So how do you make the decision?
It’s easy. Why did you hire me? When you approach a wedding photographer you’re generally drawn to a particular photograph or visual aesthetic. I can promise you that every wedding photographer that prioritises film can shoot digitally as well. At the end of the day, it comes down to what stands out to you as the people getting married. How do you want your wedding memories to be documented? What will you be proud of showing people? Sit down. Write down your desires and go from there.