focal length: 50 mm
shutter speed: 1/500
aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 400
flash: not fired

Our photo club went all film on our last photo walkabout. That is, everyone but me because I wasn’t able to get my hands on a film SLR in time. So, I had to fake it with my D700 and 50mm f/1.4. Although I missed out on the same quality and dynamic range of black and white film, I still forced myself to shoot under similar conditions, as if I had a 35mm camera in my hands, for the film shooting experience.

To get the 35mm experience with your digital camera:

- set your exposure manually
- choose only one ISO and stick with it
- shoot in JPG and monochrome (we focused on black and white that night)
- focus manually
- take no more than 24 or 36 shots
- I also chose to only use a 50mm (no handy zoom and different perspectives)

All in all, it was a great exercise! After “growing up” as a photographer in the digital world, trying to mimic shooting film meant I had to really stop and think before pressing that shutter release button. I took the time to compose well, focus, set exposure and wait for the right moment. Choosing to shoot in all black and white also meant that I would have to see the world differently.

I learned a lot from this experience and I hope you will give it a try too. Get back to the basics and rediscover photography again!

Laura is a Vancouver wedding and portrait photographer. Visit laurahana.com.