How Film Photography Taught Me to Slow Down

Rediscovering Photography With Film

I started photography in the su

mmer of 2020, during a time when the world paused and

everything felt uncertain. I had always been drawn to images. As a kid, I would flip through

Vogue or National Geographic and stare at the colors, marveling at how a photograph could

freeze a moment and capture a feeling. My parents had old albums filled with pictures of family

and friends, and I found comfort just turning the pages. Something about the memories captured

on paper felt warm, steady, and alive.

When the pandemic shut down businesses and schools, I realized I needed something to focus

on. Growing up, I loved basketball and arts and crafts, but I was never consistent with my

creative side. I was a perfectionist. If something didn’t turn out right, I didn’t want to continue.

But that summer, I kept watching YouTube creators talk about photography, and I finally

thought, Why not try it? I purchased my first digital camera after conducting extensive research

and began taking portraits of friends and family. Surprisingly, mistakes no longer scared me. I

embraced the learning process and found joy in every moment I captured.

A few months later, I discovered film photography. Initially, it was through YouTube videos,

where people discussed the slowness, grain, and nostalgia. Something about it looked peaceful.

The cameras were simple and affordable, and the images felt different from anything I could

create digitally. Eventually, I bought my first 35mm camera, a Canon AE-1 Program, and that

decision marked the beginning of a new chapter for me.

Why Film Feels Different

If you’ve never shot film before, the difference between film and digital might seem small.

However, if you’ve used both, you know it’s not just about the equipment; it’s about the mindset.

Digital cameras are powerful and fast. They feature image stabilization, high megapixels, face

detection, and autofocus that tracks subjects more accurately than most of us can. They let you

shoot hundreds, even thousands, of photos in one day. When I started, I fell into the trap of

chasing perfection, the sharpest lens, the cleanest image, the best settings. Digital made me focus

on gear instead of the moment.

Film slowed everything down. With film, you get thirty-six shots on a roll. That’s it. No endless

bursts, no instant playback. You must wind the film, manually focus, and breathe before pressing

the shutter. You ask yourself, ‘Do I really need this shot?’ Why does this moment matter? Is this

worth one of my thirty-six frames? There’s an intentionality in film that digital rarely asks of

you. Film isn’t perfect. It’s grainy, slightly unpredictable, and sometimes your favorite shot

comes back blurry or underexposed. But that’s what makes it honest. It forces you to pay

attention, to be present with your subject, and to embrace the imperfections that come with real

life. Over time, film taught me to slow down, not just in photography but in how I see the world.

It reminded me that good things often take time, and that mistakes are part of creating something

meaningful.

Why Everyone Should Try Film

I genuinely believe everyone should own at least one film point-and-shoot camera. Not because

you need to be a photographer or because film is trendy, but because it helps you capture life as

it actually feels raw, imperfect, and full of small joys. With a point-and-shoot, you don’t worry

about settings or technique. You live your life and take photos along the way. Birthdays, road

trips, late-night fast-food runs, sunsets in the parking lot, your friends laughing at something

dumb, these are the moments film preserves so well. They become memories you can hold in

your hands. Film teaches you to appreciate what’s in front of you. It slows you down just enough

to notice the way the light falls on your cat’s fur or how a simple moment can feel important

later. In a world that moves fast and demands instant gratification, film gives you permission to

pause.

Conclusion

Film photography has helped me rediscover what it means to be present. It taught me to be

patient, to embrace mistakes, and to find joy in simple, imperfect moments. Whether you’re a

photographer or just someone who loves memories, shooting film is a way to savor life instead

of rushing through it. One frame at a time, it reminds you to slow down and really see the world

around you.