Get the Look with Film Photography

Let’s be honest, some of you got into film photography not because of the history or the smell of fixer…but because you saw a photo. That photo. Grainy. Glamorous. Maybe shot at the Met Gala, maybe on your Instagram feed in 2015, maybe in a magazine that just felt cooler than real life.

And we get it because film has a look, or more like, many looks.

So this post? This one’s for you, whether you’re chasing vintage flash vibes, soft dreamy haze, or gritty street-style drama. We're gonna break down how to get that look, with the gear, tricks, and good old Not Quite North wisdom to help you shoot with style.

That Met Gala Look (You Know the One)

You’ve seen them: dreamy flash-heavy portraits of celebrities looking like they just wandered out of a high-end prom. The kind of images that look expensive and nostalgic all at once.

How to Get It:

• Camera: Try a Contax T2, Yashica T4, or any point-and-shoot with a good flash.

• Film: Kodak Gold 200, Kodak Ultramax or Lomography 400 for that warm-but-not-too-warm skin tone.

• Flash On. Always. Even indoors. Especially indoors. The direct flash gives you that paparazzi-meets-party vibe. Harsh light? Embrace it.

• Distance: Stay close. Like, “in the moment” close. These images work because the subject fills the frame, you’re not observing, you’re invited.

Dreamy, Washed-Out Softness

Maybe you’re chasing those hazy images that look like someone dipped them in nostalgia, soft edges, pastel tones, like summer memories that only half-exist.

How to Get It:

• Camera: Anything with a slightly older lens, think Pentax Spotmatic, Canon AE-1, or any point-and-shoot camera (or dip your toes into the world of medium format).

• Film: Try Lomography 800,  or Kodak Portra 400 for pastel tones and subtle blooming in highlights.

• Shoot wide open: Set your lens to f/1.4 or f/2 to get that dreamy blur and shallow depth of field.

• Backlight it: Position your subject between you and the light (sun through curtains works wonders).

• Bonus Tip: Slight overexposure gives film that soft, romantic feel. Don't be afraid to meter for shadows and let the highlights glow.

Gritty, Urban, Cinematic

Looking for something more…moody? That lo-fi aesthetic that screams ‘90s skate video meets arthouse film?

How to Get It:

• Camera: A classic Nikon F3, Canon AE-1 Program, or Olympus OM-1 will serve you well.

• Film: Try Ilford HP5+ for black and white, Kodak Ultramax 400 for punchy colour, Lomography Metropolis for desaturated tones, or Lomography Turquoise for some really interesting colour shifts.

• Push your film: Shoot a 400-speed film at 800 or 1600 ISO, and develop accordingly, this increases contrast and grain.

• Frame it tight: Grit loves corners, leading lines, and reflections. Think of the photo as a scene, not a snapshot.

Let’s Talk Composition (Briefly, We Promise)

Even the most fabulous look flops without a bit of care. Here are three quick tips:

1. Rule of Thirds: Imagine your frame cut into a tic-tac-toe grid. Place key elements on those lines or intersections - it feels natural to the eye.

2. Leave Space: Give your subject room to breathe. Film isn’t scared of negative space. Let it add mood.

3. Look for Lines: Windows, roads, shadows, use them to guide the viewer’s eye. Film images love a bit of structure beneath the chaos.

Final Thought

It’s okay to start with, “I want my photos to look like that.”Because chasing a look is just the start, the more you shoot, the more your style will sneak in. That slight tilt of the wrist, the choice of subject, the moments you pause for.

So whether you’re recreating a red carpet shot or photographing your cat in a cardboard box with flash, you’re part of the magic now.

Film doesn’t just capture an aesthetic, it builds one.

Want help choosing the right camera or film stock? Pop into Not Quite North for a chat. We’ll point you in the right direction, probably with a coffee in one hand and a light meter in the other.