A Spotlight on Film Photography with To The Fourth Studios

Hello there!
Growing up, my brother Robby always had a camera. I can't really remember a time when he wasn't trying to video or photograph something. I remember when he got this big clunky flip phone in the pre-IPhone era, and was so excited about the camera on it. It has been really cool for me to see Robby turn his life-long passion into a thriving business for himself, To The Fourth Studios. Weddings, graduations, stylized shoots, portraiture; he does it all, him and his Cannon against the world. I remember when Robby first told me he was getting into film photography. I thought he was crazy; I mean why would you when digital is so quick, easy, high quality, and he was already so good at it? I'd roll my eyes as he whipped out his film camera and flash during a shoot, and tease him about being a hipster. I didn't get it, until finally one day I did.

There is a certain quality about film photography that isn't easily re-created. Robby explained that, "the organic nature of film photography is something that is wholly unable to be replicated by digital means. Without getting too technical, Film can show more levels of light in an image. With digital you can lose data if an image is taken with the settings "too bright" this doesn't happen with film, and overexposing is better for the film". To my eyes, is something very raw and true about looking at a picture taken on film. It has an art-like quality to it. As Robby put it, "the highlight roll-off, the skin-tones, the natural “airy” look to the images without being overly white and the unreal tones make film beautiful". 

To me, all photography is about capturing a moment; film photography almost freezes and encapsulates a moment in time. It feels very honest, and real. It isn't always as glossy or polished as digital, but neither is life. You have x-amount of photos to take on a roll of film, and they capture exactly that many moments. And Robby has a real knack for using those shots wisely. As he put it, "with each roll of film, I have 16 to 36 shots. Each time I press the shutter, I think to myself 'is this an image I want to take?' This aspect slows down my creative process and leads to more thoughtful photos".

I applaud my brother at To The Fourth Studios for not only his fabulous digital photography, but his passion for film. If you are looking for a unique way to capture a special day, head over to his site & shoot him an email! 
'til next time,
​Emily B