// reinventing analogue
One of the skills that set me apart from many contemporary photographers is my ability to shoot analogue film in a professional commercial capacity.
I use analogue methods in my own personal work and I was been trained by old-world printmasters.
For many clients, the familiar nostalgic look and feel of an image shot on analogue film is an intangible aesthetic that is still unattainable by digital methods.
Thanks to a recent popular resurgence, shooting film is ironically the newest thing in photography at the moment.
As popular market demand soars for the “old way of doing things” and that unmistakable look film provides, I offer those tried-and-tested traditional services for you in a modern, reinvented capacity.
who asks for film these days?
Film can be used for almost anything you have in mind, but generally; artists, musicians, and creatives tend to opt for analogue for that added cool-factor.
I’ve shot album covers, book covers, tour posters, live music gigs, and even a wedding once on film.
Most of my own personal work is shot on film, and almost all of my prints available in the store are shot on film. I just like it.
If you choose analogue for your brief, uniquely,
I provide this service at exactly the same pricing as the equivalent digital services.
~ frequently asked questions, regarding film ~
// shooting:
It’s a bit unique having a practising commercial photographer still shooting film, and it certainly turns heads.
I shoot 35mm (135) and Medium Format (120) film.
Yes, I do it on those highly-Instagrammable ‘retro’ things with no electronics in them.
Yes, it costs (me) a lot more than digital, it is slower, and it offers very little room for error.
Yes, it’s totally worth it.
Available for Editorial, Illustrative, Product, Fashion (and pretty much anything you want), I’m confident that we can apply traditional techniques to your requirements for a truly unique end result. If you need, you can get those old-fashioned printed contact sheet previews, and you can even order test prints - just like you could in the ‘70s.
I have my own preferences of which film stock will fit certain briefs, and I’m happy to apply years of working with analogue to help you make the right decision.
If you have a preference of which film brand you want for your own brief, I can of course facilitate this.
If you’re keen to learn about film yourself, I am happy to offer personalised tuition on how I shoot and use film.
// development:
I process all my own monochrome (C6) film in-house using industry-standard chemistry and processes.
For C41 or E6 colour film, I use multiple trusted London-based laboratories that have been processing to exceptional quality for decades.
There are a few non-standard options, like “pushing” and “pulling” film available within the development as the brief dictates.
I do not offer film development as a service. Contact me, and I’ll let you know who I use.
I am happy to offer tips on how to develop film at home.
// scanning:
For most modern briefs, the best option is to shoot and process film for immediate scanning. This gives you the visual aesthetic of analogue processes, but with the convenience of the modern digital workflow. I can scan, clean, restore, and digitally edit all film types including colour negative (C41), colour transparency (E6), and monochrome negatives (C6) up to 120/220 (medium format) size. I use external companies to drum-scan scan large-format negatives. Your choice of outputs; from ‘rough and dirty’ scans for immediate online use, or the highest quality compressionless cleaned imagery for high-end print application.
I offer a wide range of film scanning solutions, utilising professional equipment that can resolve images to 6400DPI natively - for film sizes up to, and including, medium format (120) film. This means that I can achieve an end-result analogue image of a higher resolution than even the most expensive digitally-shot equivalent. If 100MP film scans aren’t quite enough, via laboratories in London I can also offer drum scanning for the highest possible resolution and clarity; though this is not recommended for anything under Large-format (4x5/8x10) size.
If you’ve got some old film slides/negatives that you’re looking to digitize, I can help. I’m happy to scan small batch or single-image jobs too. I can also digitise prints up to A4 size. I am not, however, a magician; if your images have been stored in suboptimal conditions and/or are damaged, your mileage will vary.
I do not offer colourisation of old photographs as a service.
// printing:
If you need prints of your images, we can do prints!
A stunning range of C-Type, Giclee, or Duratran printing services up to whopping 120inch sizes are available through my preferred London-based print labs.
My personal recommendation is laser-based C-Type printing. This technique uses lasers to project digital imagery onto old-school light-sensitive photographic paper developed in traditional darkroom chemistry to achieve unparalleled clarity. I use this method for all my personal work, my prints for sale, and in my exhibitions.
If you have your own printing partner, I can optimise your imagery for almost every medium and application.
If you additionally require frames for your imagery, I utilise the exceptional craftsmanship of a family-owned Southend-based framing firm, and I can offer discounts on their services as a benefit of a long-term partnership I have with them.
If you’re looking to buy prints of my images, visit the print shop.
new commissions with old solutions?
Not sure if film will work with the project you have in mind?
You’ll be surprised at what is possible.