8 Easy Tips for Capturing Springtime Beauty with Film Photography

Spring is the perfect season for photography, with its spectacular array of vibrant blooms and lush landscapes. Film photography can capture its beauty in a unique way, with bold colours and crystal-clear resolution. Here are eight simple tips to get you started on your spring film photography journey.

Select Suitable Film Stock

Selecting the right film stock for springtime photography is essential for capturing vibrant colours and pleasing exposures. A high ISO film such as 400-800 will generally be suitable for outdoor shooting, or a slower ISO 100 film can be used in bright daylight. Choose a colour of film that complements the scene, whether it’s classic black and white or vivid Kodak Ektachrome 100 film.

Check out our collection of spring films here.

Embrace Soft Light

Spring often brings with it soft, diffused light that can be perfect for film photography. Look for ways to incorporate this gentle light into your images, such as by shooting during the early morning or late afternoon.

(c) Karen Freer | Pentax 645 | Kodak Portra 400 120 Film

Experiment with Colour

Spring is a season of vibrant colours, so don't be afraid to experiment with different film stocks to capture the hues of the season. Consider using slide film to capture the brilliant colours of spring flowers or try experimenting with expired film for a vintage look.

(c) Karen Freer | Pentax ME Super | Kodak Gold 35mm Film

Look for New Beginnings

Spring is a time of renewal, so look for ways to capture the beauty of new beginnings. Whether it's the first buds on the trees, the emergence of baby animals, or the return of migratory birds, there are plenty of opportunities to capture the essence of the season.

(c) Paul McKay | Lomochrome Turquoise 35mm Film for some more tips on shooting with Lomo Turquoise check out our blog here

 Play with Depth of Field

Spring is a time when everything is coming to life, so consider playing with depth of field to capture the intricate details of the season. Use a wide aperture to create a shallow depth of field and blur the background, drawing attention to your subject.

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak Portra 800 35mm Film

Take Advantage of the Weather

Spring weather can be unpredictable, but don't let that stop you from shooting. Rainy days can create beautiful reflections and moody atmospheres, while overcast days can be perfect for capturing the soft, diffused light of the season. It's also a good excuse to switch to B&W films: check out our article on the best black and white films for some inspiration!

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak Portra 800 35mm Film

Don't Forget the Details

Spring is a season of intricate details, so don't forget to look for the little things that make the season special. From the delicate petals of a flower to the intricate patterns on a butterfly's wings, there are plenty of small details that can make for stunning images.

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak Portra 800 35mm Film

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak Portra 800 35mm Film

Try Some Creative Techniques with Lens Filters or Double Exposures

As long as you understand how filters work, experiment with bold colours to really make your springtime photos stand out. Try using colour filters over the film lens to give life and depth to a scene or a subject, while creating some stunning abstract effects without any digital post-production. You can also try double exposures – two or even more film frames layered one on top of the other – to create an ethereal look that replicates your own personal understanding of this season’s beauty!

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak ColorPlus 35mm Film 

The photo above was taken using a Hoya Multivision 5 filter, it will give you a different effect depending on how far away you are from the subject. 

(c) Karen Freer | Minolta Dynax 7 | Kodak Portra 800 35mm Film

The photo above was taken using the Minolta's built in double exposure feature. Your cameras features will dictate how you go about taking a double exposure. In some cases you may need to wind the film backwards to take a second photo over the first exposure of that frame. Some cameras like the Holga or older TLR and folding cameras will allow you to just keep pressing the shutter for infinity, and a lot of people find themselves getting accidental double exposures this way. 

(c) Karen Freer | Pentax ME Super | Kodak Gold 35mm Film

The photo above was taken using a Cokin Violet spot filter. The aperture setting will change the sharpness of the hole’s edges; the smaller the aperture, the sharper the hole’s edges will be, and vice-versa. In this example you can't really see the hole's edges at all. 

Conclusion: Capturing Springtime Beauty with Film Photography

Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation, and film photography offers a unique and beautiful way to capture its beauty. From the soft, diffused light to the vibrant colours and intricate details, there are endless opportunities for film photographers to create stunning images that truly capture the essence of the season.

By embracing the soft light of spring, experimenting with colour and depth of field, and paying attention to the details, film photographers can create images that are truly breathtaking. So grab your camera, load up some film, and get ready to capture the magic of springtime through the lens of your camera.

(c) Karen Freer | Pentax ME Super | Nation Photo 35mm Film