This is where it all began for me. At the time of writing I have shot hundreds of rolls of film, owned over 10 old film cameras and taken them into many countries, have created my own negative scanning system, started a film photography instagram channel with my old friend Pete Bromfield and published a book, Beautiful Ordinary Things
Like a lot of things that I find interesting, I have run into it at full speed, head first. This website is a home for all of that work and I plan to write about my adventures and document the journey. But it was only because of a chance opportunity that this whole thing came about. This is the story of my first interest in Film Photography and Digital Film Emulation. There is a lengthy video at the end of this page but for those of you who like to read, I will also summarise
When Dehancer reached out about reviewing their film emulation plugin suite, I didn't expect it would lead me down a rabbit hole of film photography. As someone who primarily works with digital formats, I needed to understand: why do we chase the "film look," and what makes Dehancer "built different" from other emulation software?
The Allure of Film
What exactly creates that coveted film aesthetic? As cinematographer Pete Bromfield succinctly put it: "The grain." While film grain might be the poster child of the film look, there's much more to it:
Bloom: That beautiful, diffused glow around bright highlights that we try to recreate with ProMist filters
Halation: A technical phenomenon where light bounces off the camera back and re-exposes the film, creating distinctive red circles around bright areas
Light Leaks: Those unexpected streaks of light that have become almost cliché
Film Stock: Perhaps the most overlooked element - each brand and type of film negative brings its own unique characteristics to the image
The Digital Paradox
Here's what fascinates me: We've spent decades advancing camera technology, creating incredibly sharp lenses and magnificent 4K sensors, only to deliberately "degrade" our footage to make it look more filmic. We buy vintage lenses, add diffusion filters, and apply filmic LUTs. I've even seen photographers physically damage lenses to achieve a more "vintage" look.
My Medium Format Adventure
This review journey led me to purchase a Pentax 645 medium format camera. Twenty-five rolls of film and a significantly lighter bank account later, I've discovered something crucial: While 35mm film provides that nostalgic grain, medium format offers a perfect blend of filmic character and the detail I've grown accustomed to from digital sensors. I truly thank those at Dehancer who not only have an absolutely incredible product, but they also were the catalyst that started me on a journey that has become a part of me and will last for many many years to come
The Real Thing vs. Digital Emulation
This brings us to Dehancer, a film emulation suite available for Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. What sets it apart is the extraordinary research behind each film stock emulation. The software doesn't just slap on a "cinematic" LUT - it aims to recreate the genuine characteristics of film, from halation to specific stock behaviors. `It is pretty remarkable
Beyond the Software
The "film look" isn't just about post-processing. It encompasses everything from story and production design to camera choice and lens selection. It's about creating a feeling rather than just an image. When shooting digital, software like Dehancer becomes another tool in achieving that emotional quality that makes film so compelling.
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