Welcome to Back to Basics, The Icon’s September crash course in film photography. Whether you’re loading your very first roll or brushing up on skills you learned years ago, consider this your unofficial syllabus.
Course Outline
- Chapter 1: Choosing Your Film
- Chapter 2: Rule of Thirds (and When to Break It)
- Chapter 3: Shooting Friends, Family & Landscapes
- Wrap-Up: Today’s Takeaways
Chapter 1: Choosing Your Film
Film stock sets the mood for your entire roll. Each type has its own character—some subtle, some bold. A few go-tos:
- Kodak Portra 400 – The reliable all-rounder. Gorgeous skin tones, balanced colors, and flexible enough for bright days or golden hours. Great for portraits, travel, and everyday life.
- Ilford HP5 Plus 400 – The black-and-white classic. Grainy in the best way, full of mood and grit. Perfect for street photography and timeless portraits.
- Kodak Ektar 100 – Bold and saturated. Ideal for landscapes, colorful cityscapes, and when you want vibrant reds, blues, and greens.
- CineStill 800T – For night owls. Tungsten-balanced, cinematic look, handles artificial light beautifully (think neon signs and late-night diners).
Tip: Try a new stock you haven’t shot before—you’ll see light and color differently. We sell all your favorites right here at The Icon, and if you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to recommend one. And when the roll’s ready, send it to The Icon’s Film Services for professional developing and scanning.
Chapter 2: Rule of Thirds (and When to Break It)
The rule of thirds is one of the simplest ways to improve composition. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid across your frame. Place your subject at an intersection to create balance and focus.
- Friends at a picnic? Put them in the left third, let the landscape fill the rest.
- Your dog napping on the couch? Drop them into the bottom third, leave space above.
But don’t be afraid to experiment. Centering a subject can feel strong and symmetrical; pushing a subject off-frame can feel raw and unexpected. Learn the guideline, then play with breaking it.
📸 Want to see the impact? Print your best experiments—sometimes holding the image in your hand changes how you see it. Explore The Icon’s film printing options.
Chapter 3: Shooting Friends, Family & Landscapes
People and places are at the heart of most rolls, so it helps to have a few reliable tactics in your toolkit.
For People:
- Angles: Don’t just stand eye-level. Shoot from slightly above for a softer look, or from below for strength and presence.
- Movement: Capture candid laughter or walking shots—film loves motion blur.
- Light: Seek shade for softer portraits; use backlight for dreamy halos.
For Landscapes:
- Foreground Interest: A fence, a rock, or a tree in the frame adds depth.
- Golden Hour: Film thrives in those warm, directional rays.
- Try Vertical: Landscapes don’t have to be wide—portrait orientation can emphasize height or scale.
Don’t let those shots sit undeveloped. Keep the momentum going—develop, scan, or print with Icon.
Wrap-Up: Today’s Takeaways
- Film stock sets the mood—experiment to find your style.
- Composition can be simple: start with thirds, then break the rules.
- Angles, light, and small tweaks transform ordinary portraits and landscapes.
This is just the beginning. In Part 2, we’ll cover metering, pushing/pulling film, and creative projects that stretch your style. Until then—shoot boldly, and let The Icon help you bring your work to life through Film Services.
