“Seize the Moment: Richmond’s Ultimate Guide to Bold Adventures”

Documenting the world through a camera lens has become more convenient and accessible nowadays, thanks to swiftly progressing technology. However, in the age of smartphone cameras, a certain closeness in photographs seems to have diminished — a void that has sparked a newfound appreciation for and revival in film photography.

With warmer tones, unique touches, and occasionally minor flaws, film has captured the attention of many who cherish how it nostalgically retains life’s moments. Local wedding photographer Aly Hansen is one such admirer.

Hansen incorporated film into her skills in 2022 after experiencing creative exhaustion in her profession. “I picked up a film camera anticipating to maybe capture a roll or two but ultimately fell in love with the process, spending the summer developing all my client rolls in my bathroom,” she shares.

For documenting couples’ celebrations, Hansen primarily utilizes a Yashica twin lens, a Canon 1V, and a vintage SX-70 Polaroid, each contributing its own aesthetic influence on the final outcome.

“I believe many individuals are attracted to film because it encourages them to slow down. Personally, I’m drawn to its irreplicable nature. No two film frames are identical, and digital simply fails to mimic the appearance of film,” Hansen states. “One might add grain to a digital photograph, but you cannot replicate the depth that film provides — the manner in which light and color are expressed. Digital just cannot measure up.”

Derek Keaton is yet another film aficionado whose connection to this art form traces back to his childhood. Growing up in Richmond, Keaton frequently used film cameras to capture skateboarding images.

“That was all we had,” he recounts. “Digital was relatively new, and affording one of those cameras was out of the question.”

Initially, Keaton aspired to be a painter but eventually exchanged pigments for light. About seven years ago, he began shooting film more professionally and has since documented everything from eerie Richmond riverscapes to fanciful portraits, often using 4×5- or 8×10-inch-view large-format cameras.

The community offers numerous chances to delve into this unique art, including at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Housing the largest publicly accessible darkroom in Virginia, the center features 10 enlargers that primarily facilitate black-and-white film processing, though alternative developers — such as those for color film — are available occasionally.

VisArts also provides a variety of classes in film photography, including multiweek programs and weekend workshops; each seasonal semester has options available for all levels of film photography expertise.

Another venue for learning is the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, which frequently offers black-and-white film photography darkroom classes at its Studio School facility. Two courses are slated for the first half of 2025, consisting of an introductory session for basics and another session aimed at more seasoned photographers wishing to refine their skills. Students are required to provide their own camera equipment, though all darkroom chemicals will be supplied.

“We become so engrossed in the digital realm and its instant satisfaction,” Keaton points out. “People desire to step away from that and explore something distinct.”