The Good Kind of Expired
Expired canned goods, expired milk, expired chocolates; these are spoiled items we throw away merely because we can’t consume them anymore. They have aged and it’s just time to say good bye to something so good but found useless.
But in the world of film photography, “expired” is always favorable. Expired film, that is! Old and stored through time, what is expired film all about? How do we use it and what’s the big difference compared to fresh film? Read on this article to find out!
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When a film stock is made, film manufacturers put a certain sensibility (or film speed) to the film rolls they produce. Film speed may vary from 100 ISO to 3200 ISO, each designated for different shooting conditions (the higher the film speed is, the more sensitive it is to light which means it can seep in more light to its photos.) Now, when these film rolls expire, their ISO speed may lose a certain amount of sensibility which can change the film’s capability of receiving light. Films with an 800 ISO can step down to 400 or even lower in occasion – and that’s not a bad thing because this doesn’t mean that your emulsion is useless, it’s just less sensible to light.
As for the main difference between fresh film and expired film, it’s that you can trust the original ISO of fresh film while with expired film you can’t. There is a security when it comes to light, brightness, contrast, and even sharpness when it comes to using fresh film. As for expired film, ambiguity is always possible. And maybe that’s why film photographers prefer expired film sometimes – because the mystery and uncertainty are always present.
Using expired film can be a gamble especially when shooting under different conditions. But that’s the fun part about film photography! Not knowing which will work and not with your film photographs. Results are always uncertain and so we keep on trying and playing with chance.
For first time users, here are five tips you have to remember when using expired film. Do take note because you don’t want to spoil that lovely roll of film!
1. Store your films in the fridge. This may sound silly but keeping your films in a cool place helps retain its sharpness and speed.
2. When in doubt, use the flash. Especially when under low-light shooting conditions, your film camera’s flash is always your best way to well-lit photographs!
3. Shoot during daytime. Because the sun’s natural light is always a film photographer’s best friend.
4. Use a fully manual camera and use its shutter speed setting. Using a manual camera means taking full control over your film photographs. Which also means you can tweak your shutter speed’s setting hence better lit photos!
5. Keep on shooting and just have fun! Shoot, experiment, love the process. Since your film is expired, you better expect the unexpected. Light leaks, heavy grain, psychedelic colors, blurred images – these are all part of film photography and while you’re at it, enjoy!
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Interesting, right? And all the while exciting! So if you’re up for this thrill expired film can bring, then head on to the nearest TeamManila Lifestyle Store and avail of our Lomography Holiday Sale from December 1 – December 31! 30% off on all 120mm expired films, cameras, and camera accessories! See you and Lomo on!
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