Linking a relatively simple and intuitive method for photographic exposure determination to a highly complicated and comprehensive system for analysing every step for making a high-quality photographic print may seem to be stretching things a bit. But the fact is there are a couple of features of the Zone System that are are very useful […]
Category: Guides & How-Tos
Guides, How-tos and articles describing process, technique, film and gear a created by EMULSIVE and members of the analogue photography community. From shutter speed testers to large format cameras, we’ve got you covered.
How-to: Make a UV LED box for cyanotype prints
In this article, I’m going to show you how to make a Cyanotype print with UV LED box as the light source. Cyanotypes are traditionally developed in sunlight and the prints are often referred to as “sun prints”. But it is winter, it is cold and UV light isn’t so strong and readily available as […]
So you want to shoot Fujifilm Instax? These are your options today
Fujifilm Instax covers a huge range of instant film and cameras created and sold since 1998. Over the past 2+ decades, while the number of other instant film options have dwindled to just enough to count with your fingers and toes, Instax has gone from strength to strength. In this article, I cover the history […]
A guide to Simple, effective and CHEAP macro photography
Business closures, stay at home orders and the imperative for social distancing have probably cut you off from your normal sources of photographic inspiration. Your project Strangers Touching Each Other’s Faces in Dense Crowds is on hold for the foreseeable future. So rather than capturing the wide world, here is a technique to explore the […]
65 photographic projects you can do when you’re stuck at home
To help beat the boredom, I reached out to the film photography community and asked what kinds of photography projects they’d be doing while stuck at home/physically distancing over the next…
What is exposure? How to use light meters in film photography
Getting your exposure right is the first priority in making a photograph and comes before almost any other decision after the initial idea for a shot. Nowadays though, it is hardly given a thought. With many cameras making the basic choice, the photographer only needs to decide if any adjustment should be made to achieve […]
How-to: Your ultimate guide to printing a photography zine
This article covers everything you need to understand when it comes to printing your zine and owning the selection process for paper, binding, finishing and preparing your file(s) for print
How to shoot expired film or, no you do not need to add one stop per decade
There is a “rule” for shooting expired film. This “rule” states that when shooting expired film, one should add one stop of exposure per decade it has been expired. The rule is wrong and by blindly following it, you are doing yourself, your film and your subjects a disservice. No-one knows where the rule came […]
How to organize a photowalk: A guide by Anil Mistry
I love the social aspect of photography. Meeting other photographers and discovering the way they approach their passion has always been an enjoyable part of mine, so a few years ago I started to arrange little photowalks – mainly with groups of close friends. Some of these friends started to invite other friends and so […]
Introducing the Crumpotype : Buttery Summertime cyanotype fun
Traditional photographic processes require forethought, preparation and involvement on the part of the photographer. To demonstrate this, I made crumpets from scratch and then made cyanotypes using them. Because, obviously.
How to: Make a simple large format pinhole camera
In this article, I will be guiding you through the construction of a simple pinhole camera out of a cardboard box, which uses photographic paper to make photographs.
How to: Get over early hurdles in film photography
Film can be daunting for some, but I find it is worth the investment of time and money, as long as you understand exactly what your expectations are from the medium.
How to: Connect legacy film scanners to modern computers
It’s time to simplify and demystify the dark art of connecting legacy film scanners and other hardware to modern computers.
Research: is there really a difference between real and simulated film photographs?
To answer this question, I researched the foundations of film and digital photography; and which factors can influence the style of the results for my bachelor thesis.
How to: Make your own 126 film perforator
This is a follow up to my original article on the Kodak Instamatic 500 and my passion for the (rather underloved) 126 Instamatic format. There are loads of great “square format” point and shoot cameras out there, if only
How to: Shoot Fuji Instax instant print film in a classic large format camera
Some of my classic cameras remind me of the fascinating history of photography. Recently I wanted to see if I could make instant prints with my Speed Graphic press camera.
The Simple Enlarger: compact, portable, low-cost darkroom printing for all
I want to spread the idea that a photographic enlarger is fundamentally a very simple thing.
How to save money with a Nikon Pre-AI camera system
The cost of manual-focus 35mm equipment increases to rise and Nikon gear is leading the pack.
How to: Shoot nightlife flash photography with Kodak Ektachrome E100
Using reversal film for flash photography is not the most obvious choice but there are a few characteristics which make using Kodak’s new Ektachrome E100 for flash photography very interesting.
How to make a TEXPan: shoot wide-format 35mm film in the Fuji GW690III rangefinder
In this article, I’ll be showing you how to very simply modify your Fuji medium format rangefinder to shoot wide-format 35mm film (aka make your own TEXPan).