Ben Hawkins - Shooting Film: Everything You Need to Know About Analogue Photography

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on why she loves film

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on her favourite cameras

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on her favourite films

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on her favourite techniques

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on more of her favourite techniques

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsicker
on her post-capture techniques

Pro viewLiza Kanaeva-Hunsickers
film tips & insights

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Not that it ever truly went away, it just kind of went into hibernation at some point during the early 2000s, ushered into a pile of analogue leaves by the digital revolution that was gathering speed at the time. For years, it seemed that film photography would be consigned to the history books, something those of us of a certain vintage would reminisce about when remembering the good old days, but now, thanks to a new generation of film photography devotees in search of a tactile antidote to todays digital-everything culture, its awoken from slumber and cool once more. And I couldnt be happier.

When prepping for this book, I made a list of words that I felt best described film photography, based on my own experiences. Here it is in full: magical, memorable, emotional, dreamy, romantic, nostalgic, unrepeatable, fun, challenging, impractical. If theres one word in that list that encapsulates the allure of film photography for me, its memorable, and I think this is the single greatest defining difference between analogue and digital: film forms memories, whereas digital photography forms ones and zeros. To prove the point, Im going to give you a brief insight into the three formative memories that cemented my love of photography

The first occurred on my eighth birthday when I was given a 35mm compact in a box adorned with the words Pentax camera outfit. Now, the year before Id been given a Spider-Man outfit, which Id proudly worn on weekly family errands for months after, so my first thought was: Why would I want to dress as a camera? But that little black compact went everywhere with me, and I fell in love with all the clicks and whirrs that came with it.

The second formative memory was forged on a post-graduation trek across Australia. Id just bought my first SLR, a Pentax P30T, and I set out to capture every beach, pier and derelict ute in glorious black and white. The problem was, I didnt really know what I was doing, and so every horizon was wonky and every subject was too small in the frame. But that didnt stop me from eagerly presenting my homemade prints at a job interview a few months later and asking the gentleman opposite what he thought. Not much, he said, after a long pause. Evidently, enthusiasm alone was enough: I got the job and thus began my editorial career.

Lastly, the third memory occurred at the New Art Gallery Walsall in the West Midlands, England. A lot of fuss was being made in the news about its fancy modern architecture, so I thought Id head along and see it for myself. What I didnt know is that there was a Sebastio Salgado exhibition taking place on the third floor; as I walked up the stairs, I was confronted with a floor-to-ceiling print of one his Serra Pelada gold mine photographs. I rarely find myself speechless, but this was one such moment.

No doubt youll have your own formative memories, and whether youre totally new to film photography or a re-enthused hobbyist with a few old SLRs returning to active service, this book is here to provide you with all the passion, inspiration and practical know-how youll need to enjoy film photography for many years to come. From in-depth guides to the best analogue cameras, films and techniques to developing your first roll of black-and-white film and even building your own camera, this book is here to help you to shoot the retro way.

This book is also an opportunity to shine a light on a new generation of film photographers, bright young things who have not only embraced the analogue world, but shared it with the masses via Instagram and mainstream media.