There’s something undeniably magical about 35mm film. After years of shooting high-resolution landscapes on digital cameras, I found myself craving something different, something slower, more intentional, and a little less perfect. That’s when I picked up a Canon AE-1 and a few rolls of Kodak Portra 400, and headed out into the wild Florida landscapes. In this video, I take you behind the scenes of my journey back into film photography, sharing tips, favorite film stocks, and what surprised me most about switching from digital.
If you’ve been curious about shooting film, especially for landscapes, this post is for you.
What Makes 35mm Film So Appealing?
For starters, it’s the experience. Unlike digital, where you can fire off 300 frames in a morning, film forces you to slow down. You only get 24 or 36 exposures. Every shot counts.
The grain, color, and dynamic range of film, especially when shooting stocks like Kodak Ektar 100 or Fujifilm Superia 400 can evoke emotion and atmosphere in a way that’s tough to replicate. That’s why many digital shooters are now exploring film emulations, trying to recreate the feel of film photography in Lightroom or with LUTs.
But nothing quite compares to the real thing.
🏞️ Why Film Is Perfect for Landscape Photography
There’s a meditative quality to walking through a landscape with a film camera. You’re constantly weighing light, composition, and exposure. It’s tactile. It’s immersive.
With film, highlights roll off more naturally, and skies rarely blow out. Kodak Ektar is especially beautiful for rich greens and deep blues, perfect for lush scenes like Florida wetlands or coastal dunes. Meanwhile, Kodak Portra 400 gives skin tones and sunset skies a creamy, cinematic look.
In my experience, shooting landscapes on film has made me more observant and more connected to my environment. The limitations become part of the creativity.
🎞️ Film Stocks I Love (and Why)
Here are a few of my go-to stocks for landscape work:
- Kodak Ektar 100 – Super fine grain, vivid colors, and exceptional sharpness. Ideal for sunny days and high-contrast scenes.
- Kodak Portra 400 – Versatile, forgiving, with soft tones and great latitude. Excellent for sunrise/sunset and mixed lighting.
- Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400 – Slightly punchier greens and cool tones. Affordable and works great for overcast or forest scenes.
Each roll has a personality, and half the fun is learning which one matches your vision.
⚖️ Digital vs Film Photography: Which One Wins?
The truth is, digital vs film photography isn’t a competition. Both have their strengths.
- Digital is fast, flexible, and perfect for client work or high-volume shooting.
- Film slows you down, teaches patience, and often produces results that feel more organic and timeless.
If you’re used to shooting with a mirrorless or DSLR, switching to 35mm film might feel like going from a sports car to a bicycle. But that slower pace can lead to a deeper connection with your subject, and some of the best photos you’ve ever taken.
In my video, I show side-by-side comparisons of film scans vs digital edits and talk through the pros and cons.
🔁 Film Emulations: Can Digital Ever Truly Replicate Film?
You’ve probably seen Lightroom presets or mobile apps promising film emulations, Kodak Gold, Fuji Pro 400H, CineStill, and so on. Some of them come pretty close, especially when paired with vintage lenses and good editing.
But for me, no amount of grain sliders or tone curves can replace the joy of hearing a film advance lever click, or waiting a week to see what developed.
That said, if you’re not quite ready to dive into film yet, experimenting with emulations is a great starting point to train your eye and discover what “film look” you’re drawn to.
🎥 Watch the Full 35mm Film Photography Vlog
In this vlog, I take you through a real film shoot, from loading the roll, to metering, to the final scans. Whether you’re already into film photography or just curious, you’ll get a raw, honest look at what it’s like to shoot landscapes on 35mm.
