How Does Film ACTUALLY Work? (It's MAGIC) [Photos and Development] - Smarter Every Day 258

I tried to find a definitive video on the internet that explained how film works. I couldn't find that video.... so I decided to make it. I called Indie Film Lab and they were all about it. I love film photography and would love for you to try it. They're at www.indiefilmlab.com/

You’re such a hipster Destin! And I’m here for it. I agree there’s a real magic to capturing images this way. I love how the actual photons from the scene go into making those little silver crystals on the negative.

“This is crazy old technology - from like the 90s.” That hurt more than my knees.

My Dad was a chemist who worked for Kodak from 1935 - 1975 in their photochemical division. If he were alive today, he would be happy that people are keeping this technology going.

this is why it’s coming back. its not just because it’s trendy and cool or whatever, it’s just that this generation needed to find a thing to ground them, to allow them to stop living in autopilot. film photography makes you feel like what you do actually matters, it’s not a photo out of tens of thousands, it’s one out of 36. so you care more, pay more attention, take your time. we needed this.

People have told me to try film cameras on so many occasions and I always brush it off as hipster nonsense. This video convinced me I was wrong. This is such a lovely process

When folks who love what they do get together, magic happens! Thank you for trusting our crew with your film, Destin. We had so much fun when you spent the day with us and we're so proud to share our passion with the world. The art of film photography is here to stay. LONG LIVE FILM.

I just shot film for the first time in 25 years today. You're 10000% correct in the beginning of the video. I feel like my composition was significantly better than it usually is when I use my digital cameras. I'm absolutely hooked, and plan to learn all the processing steps so i can do everything from developing to printing at my own home.

Thank you for reminding me of my roots, I did photography in high school and I still have all my dark room stuff and 35mm SLR all boxed up in the basement. I think it might be fun to dig it out and develop some new memories: )

I have about 5-6 full rolls of film that need to be developed - sitting for a long time! Maybe Ill send them here. They all seem like they enjoy their jobs.

This company is about to get a lot of well deserved business, I imagine.

i come back to this video a lot, and as someone whose fallen in love with film and film cameras there’s SO MUCH to get enthralled in, the chemistry of the film, the mechanics of the camera, the creative aspect of taking the photo, there’s so much to love, and every time i take pictures on film, i learn something new every time

I'm only 20 but I've been shooting film for most of my life, but only started shooting it as a job and developing it myself at 17. I'm just glad to help push this old format into my generation and am happy to see videos like this introducing it to wider audience of people who may have never came across it.

The timing of this video is really fantastic. I'm just starting on a project that uses film and just bought my first film camera. It's a nikon n8008, and I got some iso50 film for it since I need the tiniest grains possible. I didn't actually know that lower iso directly meant smaller grains. I mean maybe I did subconsciously because the low ISO stuff all had the smallest grain listing but it didn't click until you showed some different iso film side by side. If I could find 35mm film that was even finer grain I'd get it, but gotta start somewhere. I was planning on developing the film myself but I think as a control I may end up sending some to these folks to see if it makes a difference. I'm trying to replicate a spy technology from the cold war and I think you'll love it if it works. I already knew how grain and development works but seeing their setup was fascinating. That machine is amazing.

On Saturday, I browsed a local camera shop and Destin uploaded this on Sunday. Monday, today, Destin walked in while I was purchasing my first film camera - at the same shop. It was a pleasure to meet you, Destin!

I took a black and white film photography class in College. I was able to do the whole process by hand multiple times and it really is something special. I'll never forget that class and would suggest taking one for anyone interested in this kind of stuff. It really is magic.

In my years of photography, i’ve never had anyone explain film as well as you did! Keep up the great work man!

Aw man, you shoud've gone in to the process of making a photographic print! It makes the concept of a negative image make so much sense! It's a physical case of two negatives combining to make a positive!

One of the greatest things Destin does, aside from delivering knowledge, is showing how to ask good questions about a subject that is unknown or mostly. He's teaching how to self-learn...how to be smarter every day.

I just want to say thanks to Destin for inspiring me to take the old camera my grandfather-in-law left us and put it to good use. I've since shot and developed over 10 rolls of film and I've been having an absolute blast doing it! It's interesting to learn photography for the first time on a camera that's older than I am!