I recently posted about my first conscious experience with film. I mentioned that I shot the first three rolls of film while simultaneously taking pictures with a digital camera.
One reason was that I wanted to have a digital backup, in case I messed something up.
The second reason was that I thought it would be nice to compare both photographs, since they were taken under the same circumstances and lighting conditions.

When writing the last post, however, I thought that it doesn't make sense to compare such two different worlds, but after thinking it over, I concluded that it is an interesting experience.
There are definitely some people who wonder what the difference is between digital and film. How the colors, light, and shadows look different. How the grain generated by Lightroom compares to the real grain of light-sensitive film.

I’ve compared 10 photos taken in Mallorca and on the Dutch coast.

Cameras:
- Fujifilm x100V
- Olympus OM-2

Films:
- Kodak Ultramax 400
- Kodak Gold 200

Disclaimer:
The digital photos have been edited. I took them with the standard Fujifilm profile and edited them using one of my basic presets, adding grain in post-production.
I edited slightly the analog photos as well. I mainly worked on exposure correction and contrast. Some scans appeared slightly underexposed, so I tried to recover details in the shadows.

Conclusion:
As I mentioned earlier, I’m not sure if it makes sense to compare photos taken with such different tools. Both have their pros and cons, and none of them is better than the other.
For me, however, this is an interesting comparison that shows the direction I’d like to go in terms of editing digital photos. Valuable, since I am more and more into film, and cinematic look on the pictures.
The pleasure of working with this medium, along with the results, has also given me the feeling that film is something I’d like to continue. That being said, another roll of film is already in the camera.

If you like the look of film, but don’t want to think about the whole hustle with analog camera - I’ve got your covered.
I’ve created a set of presets which bring digital photos closer to analog looks.
They are are my current go-to’s when it comes to quick, but satisfying edit of RAW files. They all add a nostalgic, slightly gritty character by leaning into soft tones and subtle mood. One is a timeless black & white. The grain brings the feel of 35mm camera back.
They are a great starting point to edit your pictures and will help you get closer to that >filmish< look.

By purchasing the presets, you support my blog enormously. Thank you!

I created a FREE guide (well, a mini-course is a better word), which will help you make more compelling, clean pictures.
It includes a little bit of theory, example images and practical tips/exercises.
Do you want to start making minimalistic, clean images that stand out? That guide is for you.

Download the guide

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