The Essentials of 35mm Film Photography from Udemy

Do you love photography? Are you interested in expanding your knowledge and skill by diving into the world of film photography but don’t know were to start? This course may be for you.

Nothing is assumed in this class. If you’re an experienced digital photographer there are of course similarities, but there are a lot of things that feel really foreign too. After this course and some practice, they will feel like second nature to you.

My name is Jeff Stefan and I’m a professional photographer and I’ve been shooting for almost 40 years. I started learning photography with a 35mm film camera. From 35mm I moved up to 120 or medium format cameras. I shoot in digitally in my day to day work but I’ve never strayed away from film and I always still shoot with film.

So what will you learn in this class? At the end of this course you will:

- Know how to use 35mm film cameras

- Know what film to use in different shooting situations

- You will know how to measure light for proper exposure using a camera’s light metering system

- You will know how to measure light using hand held light meters

- You will know how to use filters and what their effect is on film

- You will learn how to compose shots for effective black and white images

- You will learn what developing chemicals to use and how to develop 35mm negatives

- You will know how to photograph negatives with a digital camera in preparation for processing positive images

- And finally you’ll learn the processes that I use in Lightroom and Photoshop to create my final images

What's inside

Learning objectives

You will master the use of 35mm film cameras.
You will know how develop 35mm film, producing negatives.

You will know how to photograph 35mm negatives to produce positive images in lightroom and photoshop.

You will master the use of 35mm film cameras.
You will know how develop 35mm film, producing negatives.
You will know how to photograph 35mm negatives to produce positive images in lightroom and photoshop.

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to 35mm Black and White Film Photography

35mm Cameras

35mm Cameras We Will Use

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers core principles of using 35mm black and white film cameras commonly used by professional photographers

Teaches foundational principles of photography, including metering, composing, developing, and editing black and white film

Develops mastery of technical aspects of 35mm film photography, including exposure control, film processing, and image optimization

Taught by Jeff Stefan, a professional photographer with over 40 years of experience in film photography

Explores the history of 35mm film photography through discussions of great black and white photographers and techniques

Provides opportunities for hands-on practice through assignments and projects, fostering practical application of skills

Reviews summary

Comprehensive starter for film photography

According to students, this course provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to 35mm film photography, particularly suited for absolute beginners and hobbyists. Learners frequently praise the instructor's clear teaching style and extensive experience, making complex topics like camera operation, light metering, and film development easy to grasp. The practical, step-by-step demonstrations for developing negatives at home and converting negatives to positive images in Lightroom/Photoshop are highlighted as particularly valuable for integrating film into a digital workflow. While largely positive, some learners with prior photography experience found certain lectures too basic, wishing for more advanced detail on diverse film stocks or modern scanning techniques. Overall, it's considered an excellent foundational course.

In-depth segments on specific 35mm camera models for practical use.

"I particularly appreciated the detailed sections on using different cameras like the Pentax K1000."

"I had a dusty old Canon AE-1 and this course gave me the confidence to pick it up again."

"I learned a lot about specific camera models which was super useful."

"I liked the focus on black and white film and the detailed breakdown of various 35mm cameras."

Covers all essentials, making it perfect for novices in film photography.

"This course is an absolute gem for anyone wanting to get into 35mm film photography."

"A very solid introduction to 35mm film... for a complete beginner, it's perfect."

"It's truly comprehensive for the beginner and makes film photography accessible."

"As a complete novice to film, this course was fantastic. It broke down complex topics..."

Strong practical guidance on developing negatives and digital workflow.

"I particularly appreciated the detailed sections on... hands-on walkthroughs for developing negatives."

"The part on converting negatives to positive images in Lightroom was exactly what I needed to integrate film into my digital workflow."

"The step-by-step guide to developing negatives at home was a game-changer."

"Learning to develop my own negatives was a truly rewarding experience, thanks to the clear instructions."

Praised for making complex topics accessible through clear instruction.

"Jeff's teaching style is incredibly clear and his passion for the subject shines through."

"Fantastic course! Jeff really simplifies complex concepts."

"The instructor's long experience is evident, and he explains everything patiently."

"I've tried other film photography courses, and this one stands out for its practical, hands-on approach..."

Suggestions for advanced topics or modern techniques.

"I wished there was more focus on modern film scanning techniques with dedicated film scanners rather than just photographing negatives..."

"The post-processing part could be expanded, but it gives you enough to get by."

"My only suggestion for improvement would be to include more examples of different film stocks beyond just B&W..."

"I was hoping for more on artistic aspects or darkroom techniques beyond just developing."

May lack depth for those with existing photography experience.

"Some parts felt a bit slow if I already had a basic understanding of photography principles."

"I was hoping for a bit more depth in certain areas, especially regarding different film stocks and their characteristics..."

"Good for absolute beginners, less so for intermediate learners."

"I found myself skipping through a few lectures as they were too basic for my background."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Essentials of 35mm Film Photography with these activities:

Review the basics of photography

Show steps

Reviewing the basics of photography will help you to better understand the concepts and techniques that you will be learning in this course.

Browse courses on Photography Techniques

Show steps

Read a book or article about the basics of photography.
Watch a video tutorial about the basics of photography.
Take some practice photos using a digital camera.

Read The Photographer's Eye by Michael Freeman

Show steps

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the art of photography, from composition to lighting to exposure. Reading this book will help you to develop a stronger understanding of the creative process behind photography.

Show steps

Read the book.
Take notes on the key concepts.
Apply the concepts to your own photography.

Practice using a light meter

Show steps

Practicing using a light meter will help you to better understand how to measure light and expose your photos correctly.

Browse courses on Photography Techniques

Show steps

Set up a still life scene.
Use a light meter to measure the light in the scene.
Take a photo of the scene using the exposure settings that you measured with the light meter.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Join a photography club or group

Show steps

Joining a photography club or group will give you the opportunity to connect with other photographers, share your work, and learn from others.

Browse courses on Digital Photography

Show steps

Find a photography club or group in your area.
Attend a meeting or event.
Join the club or group and participate in the activities.

Attend a photography workshop

Show steps

Attending a photography workshop will give you the opportunity to learn from experienced photographers and improve your skills in a hands-on environment.

Browse courses on Digital Photography

Show steps

Find a photography workshop that is relevant to your interests and skill level.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the activities.

Volunteer as a photographer for a local organization

Show steps

Volunteering as a photographer will give you the opportunity to use your skills to help others and give back to your community.

Browse courses on Community Involvement

Show steps

Find a local organization that needs photography services.
Contact the organization and offer your services.
Volunteer your time to take photographs for the organization.

Create a portfolio of your best black and white photographs

Show steps

Creating a portfolio of your best black and white photographs will help you to showcase your skills and improve your understanding of composition and lighting.

Show steps

Select your best black and white photographs.
Edit your photographs in a photo editing software program.
Print your photographs or create a digital portfolio.

Start a photography project

Show steps

Starting a photography project will give you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge to a specific project. This will help you to develop your creativity and technical skills.

Browse courses on Digital Photography

Show steps

Choose a theme or topic for your project.
Plan your project, including the types of photos you will take and the techniques you will use.
Take the photos for your project.
Edit your photos and create a final product, such as a photo book or online gallery.

Career center

Learners who complete The Essentials of 35mm Film Photography will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

The Essentials of 35mm Film Photography

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Comprehensive starter for film photography

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses