Film vs digital photography - comparison
I recently 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.
If you wonder what the difference is between digital and film: how the colors, light, and shadows look on both medium, or how the grain generated by Lightroom compares to the real grain of light-sensitive film - this article will get you covered.
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
Edits:
The digital photos have been taken with the standard Fujifilm profile and edited with one of my go-to presets.
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.
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. Especially 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.
How to achieve a film look with digital 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. All of the pictures above were edited with these.
They are are my current go-to’s when it comes to quick, but satisfying edit of RAW files. 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!