Film Is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Shooting Film (Voices That Matter) [Hardcover]

Jonathan Canlas (Author), Kristen Kalp (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2012 | Series: Voices That Matter

With the popularity of digital photography growing by leaps and bounds over the last decade, some say film has been dying a slow death ever since – or is already dead. The reality is that film has never gone away, and in recent years has experienced a surging, renewed popularity – sometimes simply for its retro, analog status, but mostly for film's ability to create a look and feel that many believe digital can still not achieve. If anyone can attest to this, it's Utah photographer Jonathan Canlas, who exclusively shoots with film, and has both an extremely successful wedding photography business as well as a series of popular workshops held numerous times per year around the world.

In Film Is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide to Shooting Film, Canlas teams up with co-author Kristen Kalp to open the doors for anyone who wants to begin–or return to–shooting film. Casual, irreverent, fun, inspiring, and beautiful, this unique 10x8 hardcover book teaches the reader the basics of film, cameras, and shooting in this medium. Whether it's discussing the different tone and color characteristics of different films (Kodak, Fuji, etc.), how to load a medium-format camera back, how to create proper exposures, how and where to get film processed, or how Jonathan uses fun, plastic cameras like the Holga in his commercial and personal work, Film Is Not Dead appeals to anyone who is searching to finally begin creating that film look, but until now hasn't known where to start.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jonathan Canlas is a popular and in-demand wedding and commercial/magazine photographer who shoots exclusively with film. He has a degree in photography from Brigham Young University and lives with his family in Utah. Jonathan is a go-to voice in this growing, niche part of the industry, and he teaches Film Is Not Dead (FIND) workshops around the world. jonathancanlasphotography.com

Kristen Kalp is a Philadelphia-based writer who pens her business & wordly wisdom at brandcampblog.com.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: New Riders; 1 edition (February 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321812808
• ISBN-13: 978-0321812803
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 1.1 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,987 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Expected more. Disappointed. May 29, 2012

By J. A. Pasco

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I don't really write many reviews (this is only my second one), but I thought it might be worthwhile for those considering purchasing this item, as it was certainly not what I expected.

Let me first say that I've been a photo hobbyist for a little over ten years now, and most of my experience during that time was with digital SLRs. The subtitle of the book seemed to indicate that the book was exactly what I was looking for: a guide to shooting film for photographers accustomed to shooting digital. In this, I was disappointed.

The book would've been more accurately subtitled: "How The Author Chooses to Shoot Film."

While I learned a few things, it certainly wasn't worth the cost of the book. It felt like I was just reading the author's setup, and while that's fine, it was not what was suggested by the book's title. To say there are photos peppered throughout the book would be an understatement. There were pages and pages of them, sometimes without a bit of text aside from the camera & film used. 95% of the photos in the book have little or nothing to do with the text. The book feels more like an essay or extended blog post padded by mostly random photos and printed on nice paper with a nice hardcover.

The author begins the book with the statement, [paraphrased]: "If you still have questions after reading this book, Google them." Now I know why. I find myself using Google for topics that I feel should have been covered more extensively in the book, such as light metering (which had a section, but it felt weak), and "pushing" (which was briefly mentioned).

I bought this book because I HAD been using Google to learn about using film, and I wanted something more structured that was all in one place. Unfortunately, this fell short of my expectations, and while it looks nice, it lacks the very substance declared in the title.

PROS: Nice photography, nice printing, nice cover, great title.
CONS: Doesn't fulfill the promise made in the subtitle.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous and Friendly January 30, 2012

By Angela Papalas

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

If, for any reason, you're thinking of getting (back) into film and need a little encouragement, this will do it for you. I read it from cover to cover immediately, and let's just say I won't be putting any more money into my digital outfit. I don't think film looks easy, but Canlas definitely makes it look manageable - not to mention worthwhile. A beautiful book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good tool to have on hand January 31, 2012

By Mike Rittman

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm not someone who has been shooting professionally for years, or someone who's had formal training; all I know about a camera is based off of books I took from the library and a lot of trial and error. I'm still very much a novice.

This book is a good way to find out where you'd like to build to. Because I'm still so new at this, I'm shooting mostly with a 35mm camera (the "red-headed step child" as called in the book) and a Mamiya 645. I had two reservations; the book focuses mostly Contax cameras, something that most people trying to get their footing probably wouldn't spend the money on if they're not even sure they'd like medium format, simply because of the price. I totally understand that the Contax is where most will end up landing but I really was hoping to see a little bit more about other kinds of cameras since it's going to be a while before I can justify that kind of investment. However, this book was written by Mr. Canlas' opinion and experience, so I understand that he's only going to recommend and endorse what he believes in. Also, maybe I missed it, but I really would have liked to see a section about 'pushing' film; what it means, how to do it and what it looks like. It's not something I'd ever come across until I got into film and was hoping for a brief walk-through of what it can do for you, especially since it's mentioned that some films can be pushed.

Otherwise, I was really inspired. My goal is to work with two charities so the section with the CMN telling the world to "shoot what you believe in" was exactly what I needed. The light meter section was invaluable and the explanation between the medium format camera versus other sized cameras was wonderful. Seeing so many examples of what can be done with film and different cameras was wonderful. I love the rules section and just the inspiration from reading through the book. It's not for absolutely new photographers, but to anyone who knows a little bit about photography and is thinking of making the switch to film, this is a perfect gift to help them see that film is not dead.