I am happy that even in my quite shit first ever roll of film, these pictures look at least a little like they were taken by me. I think you can smell a little of the soil on them. I like how touchable all the surfaces and the dirt feel. I like their creepiness. And I like that I have probably taken the most artistic photo of all time depicting the grime on a car park barrier outside the leisure centre where I learned to swim. Nobody else was going to do it.

– Emily Spinach

Blogger Emily Spinach shares her experience in being a newbie. Film photography’s challenges are twofold. One, you get one shot. Two, the feedback loop is delayed. All of which cultivate frustration and patience.

The film photography renaissance is underway. Will it scale?

Spinach, Emily. “phd diaries: notes on film photography.” Emily Spinach (blog). January 25, 2026. https://missemilyspinach.substack.com/p/phd-diaries-notes-on-film-photography.