5 Common Film Photography Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
Film photography has a way of pulling you in—the textures, the colors, and the satisfaction of crafting something from start to finish. But unlike digital, film doesn’t forgive easily. One mistake can cost you an entire roll (and your sanity). Whether you’re just starting or brushing up on your skills, understanding the common pitfalls can save you time, money, and frustration.
ALL IMAGERY IS BY TRACY DAWN. Check out her Film Course in the Academy.
If you’re ready to explore film more intentionally, we’ve got two courses at Unraveled Academy that can help:
✔️ Slowing Down: Intro to 35 mm Film Photography with Tracy Dawn—a course about embracing the slower, more intentional process that film photography demands.
✔️ Intro to Film Photography in a Digital World with Brooke Holliday—perfect for digital photographers curious about how film works.
You can also head to The Film Room at Unraveled to find all our resources for learning film all in one place.
Now, let’s break down the top five mistakes film photographers make—and how you can avoid them. Your future self (and your scans) will thank you.
1. Loading Your Film Incorrectly
It happens to everyone—until you make sure it doesn’t.
There’s nothing worse than finishing a roll, feeling hyped about your shots, and realizing the film never caught. You shot... nothing. This mistake isn’t just for beginners—it happens to experienced photographers rushing through a session.
How to avoid it:
Advance and check: After loading, gently wind the film and ensure the rewind knob turns. No spin? No exposure.
Test the tension: Lightly pull the film advance lever—there should be resistance if loaded correctly.
Want a visual guide? Brooke Holliday walks you through how to load a 35mm film camera step-by-step in Intro to Film Photography in a Digital World.
2. Forgetting to Set (or Change) Your ISO
Film isn’t digital—you need to tell your camera what you’re working with.
If you forget to change your ISO after loading a new roll, you risk underexposure or blown highlights. Even seasoned photographers slip up here, especially when switching between different film stocks.
How to avoid it:
Make it a habit: New roll? Set ISO immediately. No excuses.
Overexpose (within reason): Many color films benefit from slight overexposure (e.g., rate Portra 400 at ISO 200 for better tones).
Need to understand how film exposure differs from digital? Brooke’s course dives into how metering for film works and how it contrasts with digital photography.
3. Underexposing Your Film
Film thrives in light. Starve it, and you’ll end up with muddy, lifeless shots.
Unlike digital sensors, film has limited latitude in the shadows. Underexpose, and you risk grainy, dull images that no amount of editing can fully rescue.
How to avoid it:
Err on the side of more light: Overexposed film often looks better than underexposed film.
Meter for the shadows: Your highlights can handle it. Your shadows can’t.
Struggling with exposure decisions? Tracy Dawn covers metering techniques and how to slow down your process in Slowing Down: Intro to Film Photography.
4. Mishandling or Poorly Storing Film
Heat and humidity are film’s worst enemies.
Leaving film in a hot car, near a heater, or tucked in your pocket on a summer day? You’re asking for color shifts and foggy images. And don’t get us started on expired film stored in the wrong conditions.
How to avoid it:
Store fresh film in the fridge: Keep it cool and dry—but let it reach room temp before shooting.
Protect your film when traveling: Use a lead-lined bag to minimize x-ray damage at airports.
Want to know which films hold up best? Brooke Holliday discusses different film types and how to select the right one for your shooting conditions.
5. Treating Film Like Digital
Spray and pray? Not with film.
Digital habits die hard. Rapid firing, checking the back of your camera (which, uh, doesn’t work on film), and rushing through compositions can ruin what makes film special. Film demands patience, intentionality, and slowing down.
How to avoid it:
Pause before you shoot: Is your composition solid? Is the moment worth capturing? Take a breath. Then press the shutter.
Focus carefully: Wasting frames on missed focus is frustrating (and costly).
Need help adopting a slower, more thoughtful approach? Tracy Dawn’s Slowing Down: Intro to Film Photography is all about embracing the intentionality that film requires.
Ready to level up your film photography?
We’ve got two comprehensive courses at Unraveled Academy to get you there:
✔️ Intro to Film Photography in a Digital World with Brooke Holliday – Perfect for digital photographers looking to transition into film. Learn about film vs. digital, how to meter, choose film stocks, load your camera, and more.
✔️ Slowing Down: Intro to Film Photography with Tracy Dawn – Focus on slowing down your shooting process, preparing for shoots, and creating thoughtful, intentional images.
Explore The Film Room At Unraveled, Your Home For Learning Film Photography.
