There’s a lot of talk about the need to do street photography on film, as that’s the one true way to do it.
I have shot some street photography with analog cameras, though not a lot. I also thought shooting on film would make my photos more authentic.
Recently, I even saw someone claiming it is tradition to shoot street photography on film.
I have an issue with that: the masters they often refer to didn’t have a choice.
By no means am I a film hater. I see analog and digital as equals, as two different ways to look at the same thing.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Hence this blogpost.
A few of the most common arguments for either film or digital photography:
- People say analog photography slows them down and makes them more conscious.
- Saying film gives photos and prints more meaning and texture.
- At the same time, digital is more affordable as making a photo is free.
- Film is becoming more popular again in 2026.
Why this blogpost pitting digital vs film?
Well, I’m actually not pitting them against each other. I aim to do exactly the opposite. There is no right or wrong choice in general, just for you. It’s personal.
But I do read a lot of people with strongly worded opinions online, especially in favor of doing film photography. And I want to help beginner photographers help decide for themselves. And not to feel bad about doing photography digitally.
Also, you can just try/do both.
Benefits of shooting film
Slowing down
Shooting film is often the choice for street photographers, as it forces them to slow down. You can interpret that in multiple ways.
For me, it means thinking more about your shot:
- Considering your settings and exposure
- Thinking about your composition more thoroughly
- Actively waiting for that one decisive moment.
Make decisions upfront
Shooting on film also puts you in the driver’s seat. Is this subject and composition really worth the click? Since taking a photo has a monetary value, it’s best to make that decision upfront.
No instant gratification
For people struggling with instant gratification, shooting with an analog camera can help, as you don’t know the result immediately. You’ll have to get home or to the shop, have the film developed, and then prints made before you know if it was any good.
It feels timeless
This can be especially good for people documenting the streets. Especially when using a monochrome film.
“But the real reason is simpler and harder to explain: film makes me feel present. It asks something of me. It gives me just enough resistance to spark creativity and keep me honest.” – by James Killoran.
Benefits of shooting digital photography
It’s free
Well, after you bought your camera. Clicking away is totally free. After a recent photowalk, I came home with +600 photos. All for free. I don’t want to calculate how much it would’ve cost me to shoot it on film.
Instant feedback
The result is instantly visible. This allows you to control whether you like the result or should try again. And even if your settings are correct. Seeing immediately how much you over- or underexposed.
Shoot bursts
You can shoot multiple photos from a scene. This, of ofcourse, moves the decisive moment from the streets into your editing software.
More editing options
When shooting RAW, you can go in all kinds of directions with your editing, adding a bit more of your personality to your photos.
Disadvantages of shooting film on the streets
The one that scares me the most is ruining your film roll. Opening your camera by accident, ruining it during the development, developing it wrongly, …
For beginners, it might be hard to learn when feedback comes slowly. You don’t know if you’re using the right settings. The exposure meter says you’re right, but are you using the right exposure meter?
All these questions get a slow answer with film photography. Which, in my opinion, can make learning hard.
If you’re a regular shooter, it can also become very costly. Buying and developing all those rolls can really break the bank.
With photography these days, it’s almost impossible not post your work online in some way. Even if it’s just on your own personal website. Having analog street photos makes that process a lot harder. Or at least longer.
With film, you have a limited number of shots. Even if you bring a spare roll, you will still have to spend time changing them during your photowalk, which can cause you to miss shots.
And even though you have a limited amount of shots, you’re stuck at one ISO setting for the entire roll. So if you evolve from day to night photography during your photowalk, it might cause issues.
Disadvantages of shooting digital
A big first is that your result isn’t physical by default. If you want a print of your shot, you’ll have to print it out. Either buy an expensive printer and ink to do it at home, or use external services, which can be costly.
Since there’s no limit to how many photos you can shoot, you can end up with a library full of duds. Photos that aren’t good at all and will never see the light of day again.
One problem with future-proofing is that we don’t know whether the current format will remain relevant in X years. The JPEGs you shoot now may be unreadable in a few decades. I remember floppy disks… then CD-ROMs, …
Another little thing you won’t have with digital street photos is the happy accidents happening in the lab. Light leaks on your photos, slightly discolored negatives, scratches that add character…
Where film photography requires you to change film, digital photography requires you to change batteries.
Perceived advantages of both digital and film photography, which are just personal vision
All the advantages and disadvantages steer your personal choices. There’s no right or wrong, just what works best for you.
I can’t handle the stress of developing film, so I shoot digitally. But who knows that changes one day.
A quote I read:
“I noticed a few advantages when shooting with film- namely that when people asked me to delete the photo, I told them I couldn’t- as it was film.” – Eric Kim.
I think this definitely can work as a reason. But if they’re really annoyed, they might ruin your camera and destroy all your photos. Though I’m sure that wouldn’t really happen all that much.
I also think showing them the photo on your camera might de-escalate the situation; they might even ask for a copy.
Another benefit people claim of shooting film is that you don’t have to process the RAW images afterwards. This can definitely be an advantage if you hate doing that part. A lot of magic can also happen during the post-processing.
And let’s be honest, a lot of finetuning happens in the darkroom, too.
Another argument holds that shooting on film makes you more selective about what you shoot. This argument can work in two ways.
Film can definitely make you shoot more economically, giving your work more focus, more direction, and maybe even more purpose.
But it can also hold you back from exploring. Shooting everything that sparks your interest can be inspiring, too.
Why I prefer digital for shooting my street photography
I can just shoot what I see. I’m not a selective person. There’s a lot I find interesting. I might change my mind at home, but I’m always happy to photograph.
To me, it’s also not about the result. It’s about going out and taking photos.
I’m a fast-paced, impatient man. I don’t like bringing the film to a developer and waiting around. Once I get home and have the photos selected and edited, I‘m done.
I also shoot digitally for my corporate portraits and event photography. So I have these cameras and lenses anyway.
And to go back to the first point of shooting a lot. I like getting home and seeing what trinkets I found. It’s like a second walk all over again. Shooting economically would take that experience away from me.
Very importantly: I’m a slow learner. I need the process to be fast so I can link what I did on the street to the results. If I had shot fully analog from the start, I think I would still be struggling with the idea that a wide aperture is a low number.
What are your preferences? Digital or film? And more importantly: Why?
Nicely presented. I’m in my late 60s and made the jump from film to digital around 2010. For me, in order to preserve that “I really have to make this photo count” feel of the film days, I never chimp (look at the camera’s screen). This makes me focus on getting that one shot without burst shooting and without knowing if I actually got it until I get home. I try my best to make every click count.
That’s just me, no wrong or right, but it works for me.
ps. I saw this on Bluesky which is how I got here. We follow each other (@stroejummer)
Hey Aaron. Great to read. I’m also not much of a chimper, I occassionaly do, but by now I do have a feel for what I’m doing and what it will result in. Also, because I use an electronic viewfinder, I have a fairly good idea of the end result while shooting.
I totally agree, no right or wrong. There’s just factors you have to do decide for yourself what works and doesn’t work.
Great to hear bluesky works for promoting my blogposts. And yes ofcouse I know you by your handle.