Film Photography 101: How to Start Your Analog Journey with Trev of THE DARKROOM

If you’ve ever wanted to try film photography but weren’t sure where to begin, you’re in the right place. This beginner-friendly guide covers the three essential steps to start your analog journey: finding the right camera, choosing the best film, and getting your film developed.

We’ve teamed up with our friends at TheDarkroom.com, a trusted film lab with over 45 years of experience. Their mission to keep film photography accessible perfectly aligns with what we believe in at Unraveled—helping artists grow with the right tools and community. From expert development to modern conveniences like a mobile app that tracks your film, The Darkroom blends old-school craftsmanship with the tech-savvy ease that today’s photographers appreciate. Oh—and they offer free inbound shipping, which is kind of amazing.

To kick things off, check out this video from our friend Trev, who walks you through how to start your analog journey—step by step.

Step 1: Choose the Right Camera

Disposable cameras are a great introduction to film. Options like the Kodak FunSaver or Ilford’s black-and-white single-use cameras are easy to find and operate. However, they have limitations—fixed exposure settings and plastic lenses can lead to inconsistent results, especially in low light.

If you’re ready to take the next step, consider a reusable camera. Models like the Kodak M35 or Long Weekend cameras offer improved usability on a budget. But for true creative control, look for a camera with a glass lens and manual exposure options.

Pro Tip: Ask family members if they have an old film camera tucked away from the ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s—many just need a new battery to work again.

Popular Camera Types:

Point-and-Shoots: Compact, usually fully automatic—great for beginners.
- Minolta Freedom Zoom
- Canon Sure Shot
- Nikon One Touch
- Pentax Espio
- Olympus Stylus Zoom

SLRs (Single-Lens Reflex): Manual control with interchangeable lenses.
- Nikon FM / FE / FA series
- Canon Rebel series
- Olympus OM series
- Minolta X-700
- Minolta Maxxum series

Rangefinders: Excellent image quality and compact design for those who enjoy manual focusing.
- Canon Canonet QL17 GIII
- Minolta Hi-Matic E
- Olympus XA
- Yashica Electro 35 GSN

A great entry-level SLR is the Canon Rebel series—affordable, easy to use, and capable of producing beautiful results.

Check out our blog comparing SLRs vs. Rangefinders: https://thedarkroom.com/rangefinder-vs-slr/

Step Two: Select Your 35mm Film

We recommend starting with a versatile ISO 200 or 400 film, which performs well in various lighting conditions.

Color Film:
- Kodak Gold 200
- Kodak Ultramax 400
- Fujicolor 200 / 400

Black & White Film:
- Ilford HP5
- Ilford FP4
- Kentmere Pan 100 / 400 — budget-friendly at about $6 per roll

For your first few rolls, stick with one film stock to get familiar with how it behaves in different lighting situations.

Where to Buy Film:
- Local photo stores
- Online retailers like Film Photography Project: https://filmphotographyproject.com
- Avoid Amazon—film is often overpriced

Want to explore more film stocks?
Check out our interactive Film Index: https://thedarkroom.com/film-index/

Step Three: Get Your Film Developed

After shooting, you’ll need to get your film developed and scanned. While some drugstores still offer basic film developing, they typically don’t return negatives and provide only low-resolution scans.

For the best results, use a professional lab like TheDarkroom.com, which specializes in traditional dip-and-dunk processing.

Why Use The Darkroom?
- Free In-Bound Shipping: use our mail-in kits or printable shipping labels
- Easy Online Orders: via our website or mobile app
- Scan Options for Every Need: Standard, Enhanced, and Super Scan
- Your Own Digital Archive
- Negatives Returned

We make the entire process smooth and beginner-friendly—from dropping your roll in the mail to seeing your photos online in just a few days.

Final Thoughts:

There’s something uniquely rewarding about slowing down, shooting with intention, and seeing the results days later. Film photography isn't just a creative outlet—it’s a journey of discovery, patience, and connection to your craft.

Whether you're picking up your first disposable or dialing in manual settings on an old SLR, you're not alone in the process. The Darkroom is here to support your analog journey with expert development, educational resources, and a thriving community of photographers.

Explore more at THE DARKROOM, and happy shooting!

Want more education on shooting FILM?

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You’ll get instant access to this lesson plus over 350 photography courses and editing tutorials, covering everything from creative technique to business strategy.

And the best part? You’ll be joining a thriving, real-talk community of photographers who are some of the most talented, generous, and supportive humans in the industry…all for only 15.00 bucks a month.

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