The Film Photography Handbook: Rediscovering Photography in 35mm, Medium, and Large Format

In recent years, film photography has witnessed a significant renaissance—and not just among those who have previously shot with film. Interest in film photography has also grown enormously among those who only have experience shooting digitally. In The Film Photography Handbook, authors Chris Marquardt and Monika Andrae speak to both kinds of film photographer as they offer an easy-to-understand, complete resource to shooting film. They also address today’s working climate, including such topics as the hybrid film/digital workflow, the digitization of negatives, and working with smartphones for light metering and to assist in film processing.

This book is intended for anyone who is curious about film, whether you need a refresher course or are discovering this wonderful format for the first time. You’ll learn how easy it is to shoot and process black-and-white film at home, and how little special equipment you need to get into film photography.

You’ll learn all about:

• the important differences between film and digital photography
• numerous film cameras, as well as how to buy a second-hand camera
• film formats, from 35 mm to medium format and large format
• exposure settings, tonal values, and tonal representations in different types of film, from color negatives and slides to the enormous spectrum of black-and-white films
• processing film, covering everything you need to know: equipment, chemicals, and workflow
• scanning negatives to bring your film into a digital workflow
• both presenting and archiving your prints and negatives

Working in such an “analog” medium requires a unique approach to photography, and it fosters a completely different form of creativity. Working in film can also prove to be a great inspiration for your own digital photography, as well. The Film Photography Handbook covers it all, from the technical to the creative, and will have you shooting film in no time, whether it’s with an old rangefinder, an inexpensive Holga, or a medium-format Rolleiflex or Hasselblad.

About the Authors

Chris Marquardt is a photographic mythbuster and the host of Tips from the Top Floor, the world's longest running photography show. His photography podcasts have won multiple international awards. He has taught photography all over the planet, including Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia, where he has often accompanied photographers to the world’s highest photography workshop at Mt. Everest base camp. Marquardt is a regular on Leo Laporte’s Tech Guy radio show, which is syndicated across the United States and reaches an audience of millions.

Monika Andrae is an award-winning online specialist. She is also on a mission: to make the more and more technical photography world a little more creative. Andrae’s podcast Monis Motivklingel has a large number of followers and her blog is a thrilling mix of everyday and creative topics. Together with Chris Marquardt she co-hosts the Absolut Analog film photography workshops.