Film Photography: Rediscovering Life One Frame at a Time

May 18, 2025

I’ve never considered myself good at photography. Most of the time, I just pull out my phone, tap the circle button, and let algorithms and AI work their magic. Usually, I end up with three or four nearly identical photos.

Recently, my father gave me his old mechanical film camera-a ZENIT 122. I started experimenting with film photography, and honestly, I’m still not very good at it. But in a world that moves so fast, this experience feels different.

There’s a pause before each shot: setting up the camera, taking a breath before pressing the shutter, and feeling that little spark of anxiety because I can’t see the result right away. Then comes the anticipation and curiosity as I walk to the local photo shop to develop (display) the film. It’s a unique kind of excitement.

In these quick, information-packed moments that fill our days, film photography makes me slow down and really think about what I want to capture. It’s not just about snapping an image, but about preserving a feeling-a moment in time. Of course, it’s impossible to fully translate those feelings into a photograph, but when I look at my film photos, I can almost smell the scents, hear the breeze, the birds, the laughter-everything comes back.

Amid the constant rush of the digital age, picking up film photography has become my gentle reminder to savor life’s meaningful moments.

P.S. I’ve started a small corner on this personal blog where I upload my film photos. Feel free to share your own film photography with me-I’d love to see your moments, too!