EP 80 - Falling Back in Love with Digital PhotographY
In this episode, I’m chatting about something I didn’t see coming—falling in love with digital photography again. After going all-in on film for a while, I’ve been feeling creatively recharged by experimenting with digital. From playing with lens filters to diving into double exposures, this is your reminder that digital doesn’t have to feel boring! I’m sharing what sparked this shift, why editing is still one of my favorite parts, and how to reconnect with your digital work in a fresh, inspired way. Whether you’re team film, team digital, or somewhere in between, this one’s for you.
So, Why Not Just Stick with Film?
I’ve been a photographer for over six years now, and for about half that time I’ve worked as a hybrid—shooting both digital and film. And while film has definitely had the spotlight the past few years, I’ve realized something: I really do love digital.
That realization kind of hit me during a conversation at a film lab—someone suggested outsourcing digital stuff to make my life easier. And it made me pause. Because I like editing. I like digital. And I didn’t want to give it up.
Finding That Spark Again
Lately, I’ve been bringing lens filters back into my digital work—just to play. I used one at a wedding recently and it reminded me how fun digital can be when you stop overthinking and start experimenting again. You don’t have to be bored with digital. It can be just as creatively fulfilling as film.
Playing with Tools + Techniques
One of the things I love most about digital? It’s low-risk! I’ve been trying double exposures, long-exposure flash, and wild editing just to see what sticks. I’ve even been using a split diopter filter (you can find them for like $20 on Amazon) that gives this dreamy, vintage vibe.
The Edit is the Art
If you’re like me, you actually enjoy editing. It’s not just part of the job—it’s part of the art. Getting to tweak light, shadow, tone… it’s like painting. And there’s something really satisfying about taking a digital file and turning it into something that feels like you.
A Few Ways to Reignite the Spark
If you’re feeling a little “meh” about digital lately, here are some easy ways to mix things up:
Make an inspiration folder. Save images that light a fire in you—film, digital, whatever. Look through it before you shoot or edit.
Limit yourself. Pretend you’re shooting film. Give yourself 36 clicks and see what happens.
Edit without rules. Try a wild preset. Go heavy on the grain. Let go of what you should do and just see what you like.
Try a new tool. Filters, flash tricks, weird lenses—digital gives you the freedom to get messy without the fear of wasting a roll.
That’s a Wrap
Digital doesn’t have to feel stale. It’s flexible, forgiving, and honestly, really fun when you give yourself permission to play. So if you’ve been in a rut, consider this your sign to dust off that camera, try something weird, and remember why you fell in love with this in the first place.
And hey—if you make something funky, beautiful, or just different—tag me. I’d love to see it. Digital and film can co-exist. There’s room for both, and there’s magic in both.
If you want to go deeper on things like this, you know the drill—check out the Summer School membership. There’s a whole community of us there pushing creative boundaries together.
Talk soon, and happy experimenting 💛
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