10 Reasons Why I Made the Switch from Film to Digital Photography
For years, I swore by film. I loved the process—the tactile feel of loading a roll, the anticipation of developing it, and the satisfaction of seeing my images come to life. But as much as I love film, 2025 marks the year I’ve decided to primarily shoot digital. It wasn’t an easy decision, but after countless hours in the darkroom, too many headaches at airports, and the ever-rising costs of film, I finally made the shift. Here’s why.
1. Airport Security and the X-Ray Battle
Traveling with film has become a logistical nightmare. In the past, I could request hand checks for my rolls, but lately, a lot of airports in Asia have started refusing. Nothing is more stressful than watching security toss your film through the X-ray scanner, knowing it might be fogged or ruined. I don’t miss those conversations with TSA agents who don’t understand why I’m making a fuss over “just film.”
2. Film’s Unpredictability Can Be a Blessing… or a Curse
I buy bulk load of Kodak Vision3 500T for my color work, and while that’s usually fine, mistakes happen. A store once mislabeled two rolls I bought, and I didn’t realize until I was developing them at home—turns out, they were black-and-white film. I had processed them as color negatives, completely ruining them. That was two entire rolls of work gone. With digital, I have full control and immediate feedback, eliminating those kinds of surprises.
3. I Still Shoot with Intention—Just with More Freedom
A lot of people say film forces you to be intentional. That’s true, but I was never a “one-shot-and-move-on” kind of photographer, even when I shot film. If I found a great scene, I’d take at least 5–10 frames to make sure I got the shot. The reality is, photography is a numbers game. The more frames you shoot, the higher the chance of capturing something special. Shooting digital has freed me from the mental math of “Is this shot worth it?” Now, I still shoot deliberately, but I have the flexibility to work a scene without worrying about wasting film.
4. The Convenience Factor
Developing and scanning film is time-consuming. I do everything myself, which means hours spent in the darkroom and even more hours scanning negatives—a process I genuinely am not a fan of (scanning). Even if you use a lab, there’s still the hassle of dropping off film, waiting for scans, and then making adjustments in post. Digital streamlines everything. If I’m on a deadline or working on a project that requires quick turnaround, digital is the only logical choice.
5. Film Is Expensive, and It’s Not Getting Cheaper
The cost of film has skyrocketed. A single roll of 35mm color film is pushing $15-$20 now, and that doesn’t even include developing and scanning. When you shoot as much as I do, those costs add up fast. I realized I could reinvest that money into a digital system that gives me unlimited shots without worrying about burning through my stash of film. Financially, it just makes sense.
6. I Finally Found a Digital Look I Love
For the longest time, I avoided digital because I was never happy with the colors. I always felt film had a certain character that digital couldn’t replicate. But after experimenting with different color profiles and post-processing techniques, I’ve finally dialed in a look that makes me happy. Now, I can confidently shoot digital without feeling like I’m sacrificing the aesthetic I love. Also shameless plug, if you’re after the film look - I’ve made a film simulations LR preset. Go check that out
7. No More Running Out of Film at the Worst Possible Moment
Every film shooter has been there—you’re in the middle of an amazing scene, and suddenly, you’re out of frames. Then comes the scramble to reload while hoping the moment doesn’t pass. With digital, that anxiety is gone. I don’t have to worry about rationing my shots or carrying 10+ rolls of film in my bag. I just shoot.
8. Darkroom Printing Is Amazing, But Not Always Practical
I love printing in the darkroom. There’s something magical about seeing an image slowly appear on paper. But the reality is, darkroom work takes a lot of time and effort. I still enjoy it, but I don’t want to be tied to it for every project. Digital lets me focus more on the creative side of photography rather than being buried in chemicals for hours.
9. Low Light Flexibility
Shooting at night or in low light was always a challenge with film. Even with high-speed stocks like 500T, you’re still limited by the inherent constraints of film. Digital has made night shooting so much easier. I can push my ISO without worrying about grain or underexposure ruining my shots.
10. I’m Not Quitting Film—Just Prioritizing Digital
I still love film, and I’ll continue shooting it for personal projects or when I feel like slowing down. But for 2025, my go-to setup will be digital. It’s simply the best tool for what I want to accomplish right now. Making the switch wasn’t easy, but I don’t regret it. Photography is about creating, and at the end of the day, the gear doesn’t matter as much as the images themselves. Whether film or digital, I just want to keep making work that excites me. And right now, digital is what’s allowing me to do that.
