8 Advanced Tips for Capturing Springtime Beauty with Film Photography

Cover image (c) Amy Farrer | Olympus OM10 | Lomography Purple 35mm Film.

Let there be light! For experienced photographers, there’s so much more to spring than just blooming flowers - it’s a powerful way to cure the creative lull that often creeps in over winter. But let's face it: with every other shot featuring cherry blossoms and sunlit fields, it’s easy to feel like you’re just going through the motions. So, how do you reignite your passion, break away from the cliches, and make images that show off this new season in a new light? If you’re in a rut or simply itching for a new challenge, these eight advanced tips will push you out of your comfort zone and help you rediscover how beautifully rewarding photographing spring on film can be. If you’re reading this thinking “Give me the basics!” head to our beginner friendly blog.

Select Suitable Film Stock

Since you already know your way around the exposure triangle, and you understand how ISO - whether slow or fast - shapes your final image, we’ll dive straight into the good stuff. If you’re stuck on what film to load up next, these five standout stocks are designed to push your creative boundaries, spark new ideas, and add a touch of challenge to your springtime shooting. Plus, you’ll find some bonus tips within each recommendation too! There’s something deeply satisfying about mastering a film that doesn’t play by the rules, and these emulsions are anything but ordinary…

Kodak Ektachrome E100

If you’ve been shooting film for decades, slide film is likely already a familiar friend. But if you’re yet to dip your toes into the vivid world of colour slide - or E6 - film, you’re in for a rewarding (and slightly demanding) experience. I learnt this the hard way with my first try at shooting Ektachrome on holiday - let’s just say there were a few lessons learned! 🫣

Kodak Ektachrome E100 - also available in 120 and Super 8 - is a film that tests your skills with its very narrow exposure latitude and reliance on specialised E6 processing. But the payoff is well worth it! Yes, it comes with a premium price tag, but pair it with a sun-drenched landscape or a richly coloured floral close-up, and you’ll understand exactly what you’re paying for. Expect stunningly vibrant, true-to-life colours that shine off the lightbox, a magical moment that’s explained perfectly by E100 reviewer Joss Hollingworth, “The colours and sharpness are of course amazing, but the real special bit is getting your film back, holding it up to the light, and seeing your images. It’s a special feeling.”

FPP Sun

Not for the faint of heart - or should we say, the shaky of hand 😂 The Film Photography Project (FPP) is renowned for pushing creative boundaries, and FPP Sun 35mm Film is a perfect example. This hand-rolled emulsion with striking blue tones boasts an almost unbelievable ISO 1. Yes, you read that right! It’s a super slow speed film that demands a lot of light and even more patience, making it a fun experimental option for bright spring days.

You’ll definitely want to load it into a manual camera, where you can control every element of your exposure with precision. FPP are no strangers to slow film: their bold lineup also includes Low ISO Colour Negative and Low ISO B&W 35mm options. Our colleague Sundari even captured some surprisingly beautiful results with this film in low-light. She said: "I knew it was a risk as I couldn’t rate at the recommended ISO 1 (but instead, ISO 6). I'm chuffed these photos even came out, though! My advice? Shoot carefully! This film is definitely one for the adventurous and experimental eye."⁠

(c) Sundari | Canon A1 | FPP Sun 35mm Film

Rollei Infrared

If you’re into dramatic black and white, Rollei Infrared offers a whole new world of creative potential. Available in 35mm, 120, and 4x5, this unique film captures infrared light to produce surreal, otherworldly images with glowing foliage, bright white clouds, and deep black skies. Infrared film has a particularly special super power: it can record light we can’t see, so this can really transform your every day spring scenes!

It takes a bit more effort than your usual B&W roll though. You’ll need an infrared filter or strong red filter, a tripod to counteract the slower shutter speeds, and most of all: time, patience and willingness to learn. A nod to these points, Rollei Infrared shooter Steve Jackson noted: “I didn't use a full IR filter on camera, just a red. Interesting results, especially in the skies. Never be afraid of using a different emulsion, with or without filtration, and differing exposures...after all it's the fun and apprehension waiting for your negs to return or home processed.” Before you take the bold leap in loading up this film, you might want to read our blog about how best to prepare and what to expect from Rollei Infrared film.

© Steve Jackson | Rollei Infrared 35mm Film

SilberSalz35 250D

Fancy giving your spring film photography a cinematic edge? ECN-2 film is a format worth exploring! Originally made for motion pictures, ECN-2 film is re-rolled into 35mm canisters, allowing you to shoot stills with the same emulsions used in Hollywood. ECN-2 refers to the specialist chemical development process that brings out the rich, unique tones and fine details of repurposed Kodak Vision3 movie film. One of the top names in the game is German-made SilberSalz35, offering a variety of speeds and colour balances. SilberSalz35 250D, for example, delivers punchy contrast, fine grain, and a colour palette that’ll turn your everyday spring scenes into frame-worthy masterpieces. Yes, even your local sheep could look straight out of Hollywood!

ECN-2 processing is more specialised than standard C-41, so it takes a little longer to get your scans back. But good news - we offer ECN-2 development in our in-house lab, so you’re in safe hands! If you’re after some inspiration, Paul took a roll of SilberSalz35 250D for a spin at Disneyland Paris and shared some tips from the experience.

Harman Phoenix

If you’re drawn to the weird and wonderful rather than true-to-life tones, Harman Phoenix 200 - now also available in 120 - might be your new favourite experiment. Crafted from scratch at Harman Technology’s Cheshire factory, Phoenix 200 embraces bold reds, warm oranges, and punchy greens - perfect for capturing the vibrant energy of spring. But fair warning: this film isn’t trying to mimic Kodak’s emulsions. It proudly leans into its experimental side, ideal for photographers who value creativity over colour accuracy. As reviewer Bunny F put it: “I’m pleased Harman has decided to create a colour film since there’s so few manufacturers out there! Obviously it’s not perfect, the film seems to lend itself to a lo-fi and/or artsy look rather than faithful replica of the real world, but that’s what I like about it.”

As an official testing partner, we’ve worked closely with Harman to create scanning tips that help you get the best from Phoenix, so you know you’re in good hands processing your rolls with our lab. If you're feeling even more adventurous, check out Harman Red - Phoenix’s alter ego, shot in reverse. The results? Unruly, dystopian, and totally unexpected. The perfect pick if you're ready to reimagine the season of spring.

© Sundari | Canon AE-1 | Harman Phoenix 35mm Film

Like what you see? Don’t forget you can purchase these rolls on our website or app and earn WonderPoints for money off future purchases whilst you’re there 😉

Try Pulling Your Films

If you’re after more creative control and don’t mind a bit of experimentation, pushing or pulling your film is a technique to add to your ‘must try’ list. This involves rating your film at a different ISO than box speed - pushing means shooting at a higher ISO for increased contrast and moodier tones, while pulling means shooting at a lower ISO for softer, brighter images with a delicate, overexposed feel. Pulling your film can allow you to perfectly capture the gentle pastel hues of spring. If you’re eager to give it a go and are curious about the details, read this simple guide to pushing and pulling your film.

Let’s be honest: in the UK, unpredictable weather often leaves us scrambling for more light rather than less. So while pushing gets more attention as the more obvious choice, pulling can be a beautiful option when you want to tone down vivid colours and lean into a dreamy, muted palette.

© Gabrielle Guy | Pentax 6x7 | Kodak Portra 160 120 Film pulled -1.5/2 stops, shot at ISO 100.

This process also works beautifully for black and white films too, as highlighted by Ilford HP5 Plus 120 shooter Scott Taylor, who shared their experience, challenging the usual emphasis on pushing this classic film: “It's not often that pulling, shooting at a lower ISO than box speed, and reducing development time is mentioned. For me, that's why this is such a versatile film. When the light allows, I like to shoot at 200 ISO with it. I love the tones and appearance of less grain and that means, I could use just one film for almost all circumstances. It does reduce the contrast so be prepared to dial it back in, if you like more, but that's not usually a big problem.”

© Scott Taylor | Ilford HP5 120 film, pulled -1 stop and shot at ISO 100

Build a Visual Essay

Even experienced photographers hit creative slumps - those moments when inspiration feels just out of reach, or the sheer abundance of visual potential makes it hard to focus. After all, with only so many frames on a roll, every shot matters. One effective way to cut through the overwhelm is by giving your shoot a sense of purpose through a mini project or visual essay.

By approaching your springtime photography with a clear theme, you not only create a more cohesive body of work, but you also open the door to tangible outcomes: a zine, a curated Instagram series, exhibition submissions, a fresh page for your analogue portfolio, or even a limited-run photo book. Having a guiding concept can turn a casual stroll with your camera into a meaningful narrative. Here are a few compelling spring-themed ideas to get you started:

• Rain on surfaces - Spring showers offer a chance to capture shimmering reflections, soft light, and texture-rich closeups on glass, pavement, and foliage.
• Wabi-sabi moments - Inspired by the Japanese aesthetic of embracing imperfection and impermanence, this theme invites you to capture beauty in decay and quiet change. Think faded blooms, peeling paint, mossy textures, misty mornings, and untamed gardens.
• The colours of spring - Challenge yourself to create a series built entirely around spring’s iconic colour palette - lush greens, delicate pinks, and soft yellows. Focus on how these tones appear in unexpected places and highlight subtle variations and tonal harmonies.
• Seasonal contrasts - Look for the interplay between the natural world and human-made structures. Think wildflowers breaking through concrete, vines climbing fences, or weathered signage surrounded by greenery - moments where nature quietly reclaims space.
• Hands of spring - Focus on human connection with the season: gardeners at work, paint-splattered hands on a sunny day, hikers enjoying the view, or someone arranging flowers.
• One object, one season - Revisit a single location or subject multiple times through spring, documenting subtle changes in light, shadow and surroundings. Bonus: keep this project going through summer, autumn, and winter for a powerful long-term series.

A great example of turning the everyday into a creative project is by our friend Paula Smith, who beautifully transformed her school run into a photographic series and zine. She kindly gave me a copy of her latest work, AMBLE: Wood Street Vol. 1, and it’s a wonderful reminder that anything you feel connected to - even the most routine parts of your day - can become the foundation for a meaningful project.

Whatever your theme, the key is to shoot intentionally and allow patterns, colours, and moods to guide you on your journey. This is not only a great activity for your creativity, but also for your mental health, allowing yourself a moment to fully take in and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. You’ll be surprised how quickly a few rolls can turn into a story worth telling - even of the simplest of subjects.

Embrace Low Light

The most obvious way to photograph spring on film is to chase its vibrancy - the golden light, the fresh greens, and the blooming colours. But there’s also something quietly powerful in the moments when the light begins to fade or just before it rises. These transitional times offer a more introspective, challenging approach to photography, inviting us to slow down and engage more deeply with our surroundings.

Embracing low light allows you to capture the stillness of spring: the hush before sunrise, the calm after golden hour, the gentle shadows stretching across a quiet landscape. It’s the perfect time to experiment with slower films. Pair them with a manual camera and tripod, and you’ll be rewarded with beautifully detailed, atmospheric images. Slow film isn’t something to shy away from - with patience, it reveals spring in a whole new way.

Our Analogue Wonderland ambassadors Heather Hughes and Adam Stringer have mastered this approach. Both are deeply attuned to nature’s subtleties and use film to reflect its quiet grandeur. Their work is a testament to what’s possible when you give yourself time - to look, to wait, to shoot with intention. Below are just a few of their stunning landscape scenes, proof that the slower you go, the more you see.

© Heather Hughes | Canon EOS 30 | FPP Svema Mz3 35mm Film

© Adam Stringer | Hasselblad 500cm | Kodak Ektar 120 Film

Shoot B&W to Shift Your Perspective

While many photographers may lean toward shooting black and white film for its affordability and ease of home development, it’s not a natural choice for spring photography which often conjures images of rich colours and soft, golden light. However, opting to shoot spring in monochrome can be a powerful way to see the season from a different perspective.

Black and white film takes you back to basics by putting the spotlight on the simple elements that make up an image - contrast, texture, tonality, and form - which provide a fresh view on familiar scenes like blossoms and new growth. It might not be the obvious choice, but that’s what makes it exciting, and what will make your work stand out. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can often produce incredible results.

Much like with infrared film as mentioned above, with additional tools like yellow, orange, or red filters, you can add a dramatic flair to your images and create some truly expressive results. Black and white doesn’t have to be boring, I actually think it’s far from it! By activating a different part of your brain and “putting your black and white hat on” as I call it, you’ll find that you notice things you’d never have even considered photographing in colour.

© Millie | There’s something so peaceful about this snowdrop on B&W film.

Do a Film Swap

If you’re feeling a bit stuck in a creative rut and often find yourself photographing the same scenes over and over, a film swap with a friend could be the motivation you need to try something different. I’m sure many of you are familiar with double or multiple exposures - which are often a “happy accident” 😅 - but also how those unexpected results can spark new creative ideas. It’s always a fun moment when you find a half-shot roll of film in the bottom of your bag and finish it off to see what’s on it… right Paul?!

When inspiration runs low, leaning on other like-minded creatives can be exactly what brings it back. I love the results from this film swap by film photographers Rachel and Erin, who despite being on different sides of the world, used their skills to create a magical masterpiece. On the experience, Erin said:

“Doing a film swap with others in your community is like going to see a new movie in the theater. There’s always a level of whimsy, drama, and suspense you never expected! Film swaps are so special because you and that person give life to art that has been touched by both of your creative minds. Our results are no different! And to think we were quite disappointed at first... until we looked a little closer and realized the magic we did create! We’re so looking forward to doing more swaps together and with others within our community!!”

© Rachel and Erin | Psych Blues 35mm Film

If that sounds like something you'd love to try, here are a couple of themes you could work on together in spring (or you could also use the ideas from the visual essay section of this blog!):

• City vs nature - one of you shoots urban scenes, while the other captures nature in bloom. When the rolls overlap, it will create a beautiful contrast between the organic and the manmade, forcing you to imagine what civilization would look like if nature took over!
• Morning vs evening - one person shoots only the soft morning light, while the other captures the golden hour or twilight. The result? One roll that captures the full rhythm of a spring day.
• Textures of spring - Shoot close-ups only, like moss on trees, cracked pavements, details on a leaf, peeling paint and fallen petals. When combined, this will create a poetic twist to the season and make you appreciate the little things in life.
• My town, your town - Each person shoots elements of spring within their hometown. When swapped, it turns into a visual dialogue between two places and two perspectives, both of which are experiencing the season in different ways.
• Spring colours - Pick a colour palette - pinks, greens, yellows - and build your compositions around it, seeking out these colours in spring-like elements. See how your partner’s colour choices interact with your own!
• People & places - One person focuses entirely on people - candid or posed - while the other captures empty scenes and landscapes. Together, they form a narrative of presence and absence.

For more tips and tricks, Lomography has a great Film Swap Guide for Total Beginners.

Experiment with Film Souping

Much like intentional double exposures, another fun and experimental technique to try is souping your film. If you're unfamiliar with it, prepare to either be blown away - or totally baffled! Either way, it’s a creative rabbit hole well worth exploring. Film souping is the process of soaking a roll of film in various liquids - anything from coffee to washing up liquid or even flower infusions - to create unexpected colours, textures, and effects once developed.

A true master of this method is Hanalogital, who soups her film in all sorts of weird and wonderful concoctions. We’re thrilled to stock some of her unique creations, which are as beautiful as they are unexpected. Her process is especially inspiring for spring photography, as she often creates seasonal batches using hand-picked natural elements from her hometown.

Personally, I love the idea of making a roll that’s completely your own, right down to the chemistry. I even picked up Hanna’s book to explore her recommended recipes (but am yet to give it a go, so this serves as a reminder for myself too!). Imagine photographing daffodils with film that’s been souped in daffodils... the ultimate full-circle moment!

© Hanalogital | Autumn ‘24 Souped Film - Souped with sunflowers, goldenrod and hot water | For reference, the emulsion used here was Kodak UltraMax 400, so you can immediately see the differences in colour.

Think Outside the Box

In the words of iconic British portrait photographer, David Bailey: “It takes a lot of imagination to be a good photographer. In photography, everything is so ordinary - it takes a lot of looking before you learn to see the extraordinary.” Make it your mission to seek out the extraordinary, which if you’ve got a photographic eye, you’ll know is often actually hidden in the ordinary.

When it comes to spring photography, this could be pairing the obvious with the unexpected - like capturing green rolling fields on Lomography Turquoise film. Fields aren’t naturally blue, but that’s the kind of creativity we like to see! Or maybe you want to photograph a reflection of trees in a lake… how about shooting your camera upside down and reimagining it in an entirely different way? Sometimes even the smallest changes can make the biggest impact. Be that person, do something wild! We’d love to see what you come up with 🤩

A brilliant example of using the simplest ideas to create something uniquely powerful is ‘Flowers for Bea’ - a deeply personal project by Brendan Barry, who brought the outdoors inside. Working in his home darkroom - converted into a camera obscura - Brendan photographed intricate floral arrangements and hand-printed their ‘negatives’ onto 8x10 paper, transforming them into luminous, blooming positive images. This project highlights that extraordinary beauty is often hidden in the everyday, just outside our doorsteps. He’s currently seeking support through Kickstarter to turn this inspiring body of work into a photo book and bring Flowers for Bea to life.

(c) Brendan Barry | Just two of the images from his 'Flowers for Bea' photo book project.

Time to Photograph Spring!

The art of capturing springtime beauty on film is an adventure - one that invites you either to stay firmly within your comfort zone or step boldly beyond it. Creating striking images often means pushing your creative boundaries, experimenting with different film stocks and analogue techniques, and finding new ways to capture the world around you. Whether you’re pulling film, shooting in low light, working on a visual essay, or swapping rolls with a friend, the most rewarding results often come from trying something new and embracing the unexpected.

So, load up your camera, head outside and appreciate springtime beauty with us on film. Which idea will you try first? Let us know in the comments 👇