Tips for Analogue Photography

Tip 1. Always take your gear with you

When you start with analog photography, it’s a good idea to take your analog camera with you as often as possible. Capture your daily life, for example! This helps you get to know your gear.

Tip 2. Start with 35mm

When beginning with analog photography, it’s easiest to start with 35mm, such as the Ilford Sprite 35-II. This is an analog 35mm camera. It’s easy to find film rolls for it, and there are still many second-hand options available. Be sure to check out our second-hand analog selection!

Tip 3. Buy a disposable camera

If you want to experiment with analog photography, it’s a great idea to start with a disposable camera. With a camera like this, you can play around and discover what you think of this way of shooting. Does it leave you wanting more—or not?

Tip 4. Try different gear

Did you know that with analog cameras you can try all kinds of lenses, accessories, filters, and film stocks? It’s a good idea to test different analog cameras and see which ones you enjoy using the most. Everyone has their own preferences, after all. You have different options to choose from: a model without interchangeable lenses, a 35mm camera with interchangeable lenses, or even medium format?

Tip 5. Choose your camera carefully

When buying a camera, consider your budget and decide whether you want a single-lens or twin-lens camera. Also pay attention to the format and aspect ratio. Have a look at our Buying Guide for more information—we explain step by step what you need for each style. You can choose film rolls that evoke a particular mood. Looking for an analog camera? Take a look at our extensive second-hand analog range as well.

Tip 6. Buy and develop film rolls with care

Once you’ve shot your film roll, it’s time to develop your images. You can develop film yourself, but it’s a precise process. Want to be sure your film is developed carefully? Drop off your rolls at one of our stores. You can also ask all your film-development questions there.

Tip 7. Store film rolls in the fridge

If you’re not using or developing your film rolls right away, it’s important to store them properly. In many cases, room temperature is fine, but for a longer lifespan, we recommend storing your film in the fridge or freezer. At around –10°C, the aging process nearly stops. Storing them at 4–6°C also works. If you plan to shoot with a cold film roll, take it out of the fridge a day in advance.

Tip 8. Use a light meter

Some people like using extra tools to improve the quality of their analog photos. A light meter is highly recommended—it helps you measure light intensity and adjust your camera settings accordingly. For many photographers, using a light meter is a game changer: it saves time and effort and helps you create high-quality images more efficiently.

Tip 9. Learn about shutter speed and aperture

With analog cameras, you often need to manually adjust light, sharpness, and depth. It’s smart to brush up on shutter speed and aperture beforehand so you don’t miss the perfect moment while shooting. Need a quick refresher? Shutter speed determines how long light hits the film, and aperture is the opening in your lens. Together with ISO, they form the exposure triangle.

Tip 10. Create creative effects

A downside (and upside!) of analog photography is that you have less control over your photos. Imperfections appear quickly, but they can also make your images unique. No other photo looks exactly the same! Try playing with double exposures and intentional light leaks to create unique images. Sometimes they even look like accidental little artworks.

Tip 11. Get a negative scanner

With a negative scanner, all you need to do is buy your film roll and have it developed—the scanning you can do yourself, saving external costs. A negative scanner also gives you control over color and resolution. You can, of course, outsource the digital post-processing as well—take a look at this page for more information.

Tip 12. Edit your scanned photos

Want to combine analog and digital techniques? You can scan your analog photos and edit them digitally afterward. For instance, you can boost colors to increase contrast between sharp and blurred areas. And of course, you can print your edited photos again. Take a look at our photo service if you're interested.

Tip 13. Look for inspiration

Inspiration is everywhere! You can find plenty of ideas online and offline if you want to learn more about analog photography. Follow analog photographers on social media, or read interviews. Want to know how Sacha de Boer started with analog photography? Read this interview. Blogs full of tips can also be very helpful—be sure to check our inspiration page.

Tip 14. Accept that things can go wrong

An analog camera is very different from a digital one. The charm of analog photography lies in the fact that you don’t know whether your photo turned out well until it’s developed. Every photo is a surprise. You have to learn to love that! Sometimes a photo turns out poorly—and that’s completely fine. It’s part of the process. Don’t let it discourage you—learn from your mistakes!

Tip 15. Fix and store your photos properly

It’s important to fix your photos. This is a chemical process where photographic paper is immersed in “fixer.” It ensures that the image on exposed film or photo paper remains stable (and doesn’t turn black). Even after fixing, physical photos should be stored carefully, for example in albums or boxes. That way, you can enjoy your analog photos for years to come!