The Reality of Film Photography

If you’ve ever been around classic cars, you’ll know they aren’t exactly the definition of reliability. Sure, they look amazing - there’s nothing quite like that old-school design and feel but they demand a lot from you. Regular maintenance, unexpected repairs, things breaking down at the worst possible moment… and the costs quickly add up.

Sound familiar?

Recently, I’ve realised film photography is a lot like working with classic cars.

When you shoot film, you’re not doing it because it’s the easiest or cheapest way to make photos. In fact, it’s none of those things. Film photography requires patience, dedication, and a certain acceptance that things might not always go to plan. You have to love the craft of it: loading your rolls, being thoughtful with each shot, and waiting to see if your efforts paid off. Sometimes you get magic and yet other times, despite your best efforts, everything falls apart.

I had one of those experiences recently.

Without giving too much away, let’s just say my latest film photography project was a real test of my patience (and my wallet). It was one of those moments where I had to remind myself why I do this at all: because I love the process. The ups and the downs are all part of the ride, just like owning a classic car. If you’re only in it for perfect results, you’re probably going to be disappointed.

But if you enjoy the journey—the quirks, the surprises, and even the mistakes—it becomes something much more rewarding.

I dive into the full story, with all the gritty details, in my latest video. If you’re a fellow film shooter (or even just curious), it’s worth a watch.

Do you have your own stories of film photography mishaps? Or maybe you’ve worked on a classic car and know exactly what I’m talking about. I’d love to hear your experiences - drop a comment or send me a message!