Film Photography is Holding You Back
I’m here to make a bold statement: Film photography is holding you back. I get it—film has a certain allure. There’s a nostalgia, a romance in loading a roll, carefully selecting your shots, and developing them in a darkroom. But in today’s world of street photography, where speed, precision, and adaptability are key, film just can’t keep up.
The Limitation of Film in a Modern World
In a fast-paced environment like the streets, reaction time is everything. You have a split second to capture a moment that will never happen again. With film, you’re dealing with a system that requires careful manual settings: adjusting focus, matching shutter speed and aperture, balancing ISO, and hoping the shot lands. Once the moment is gone, it’s gone. Why hinder yourself with an antiquated process when digital allows you to move at the speed of life?
Film enthusiasts claim that 36 exposures make you more discerning. Sure, that sounds good on paper, but the reality is that limitation breeds stagnation. You need to make more photographs to improve, not fewer. With film, you’re restricting how many shots you take, and ultimately limiting your potential. Why do that to yourself?
Digital is the Path to Improvement
The key to becoming a better photographer isn’t in the process itself; it’s in consistency, experimentation, and volume. With digital, you can shoot hundreds of images in a day, review them instantly, and learn what worked and what didn’t. No waiting for development, no worrying about blowing through rolls of film or paying development costs.
A digital camera like the Ricoh GR lets you shoot endlessly. It’s compact, lightweight, and fast—no unnecessary settings bogging you down. Set it to automatic, and focus on the moment. When you have a camera that fits in your pocket, you’re always ready to shoot, without lugging around a heavy, cumbersome film camera that only slows you down.
Film is a Burden, Not a Badge of Honor
The Leica has become this “holy grail” of street photography, but let’s be honest: it’s a burden. It’s heavy, slow, and unnecessary in today’s world. Film has been glorified to the point where it’s less about improving as a photographer and more about holding onto a relic of the past. It’s the equivalent of wearing a Rolex when you could have a watch that’s actually useful for your lifestyle.
If your goal is to improve, let go of the romanticism around film. You need a tool that helps you get better, faster, and that tool is digital. Leica is a luxury brand, not a photographer’s camera anymore. It’s become a symbol of status rather than a practical tool for capturing the world with efficiency.
Photography Isn’t About Trends
Social media has driven the resurgence of film photography, turning it into a fashion statement. Instagram, YouTube, and influencers have made film trendy, but it’s more about looking the part than making great photographs. Trends like these don’t help you grow as a photographer; they hold you back.
If you’re in photography for the art, if you’re in this to make better pictures, then free yourself from these trends. Stop buying film. Stop buying paper. Stop spending on ink. Put that money to better use—invest in digital.
The Future is Digital
Here’s a radical idea: the future of photography is digital. I don’t need to worry about paper or ink. I don’t need to tie myself to the idea of a physical print. Digital frees my mind to experiment, to capture, and to create without constraints. The possibilities are endless. Photograph without limits, without cost, and without delay.
With a Ricoh GR, I have a modern tool for a modern world. Leica may have been great in its time, but the world has moved on. Photography is about capturing life in real-time, and for that, digital is the only way forward.
Choose Growth Over Nostalgia
Film photography is great for hobbyists. If you enjoy the process, the nostalgia, and the darkroom experience, then by all means, enjoy it. But if you’re serious about becoming a better photographer, about pushing yourself to improve, then digital is your answer. More photographs mean more improvement—more opportunities to capture, to review, and to learn.
If you’re still shooting film and wondering why your progress has stalled, this is your wake-up call. Upgrade your gear. Embrace digital. Let go of the past.
“You can stay a hobbyist, or you can go to the next level. The choice is yours.”