Traveling with Film: 6 Things You Need to Know
Packing film for your trip and planning to shoot film in an unfamiliar place comes with its own set of challenges and considerations. If you're planning a trip and intend to bring film cameras or rolls of film with you, there are several important factors you need to be aware of.
Film and Airport X-Rays
The number one concern people have when flying with film is that airport X-Rays will permanently destroy their film. However, the reality is more nuanced. X-ray machines can, indeed, fog film, especially high-ISO films (typically 800 and above) and film that’s exposed to scanners repeatedly. But most carry-on baggage scanners at the security checkpoints of commercial airports worldwide are considered to be film-safe for ISO 400 and lower. You can request a hand-check for your film at most airports, especially if it's high-speed film. While the regulations may vary depending on the country, in general, staff will accommodate.
Hand checking film has become more and more common in airports with the rise of film and staff is usually willing to go through a hand check. It helps to put your film in a clear plastic bag for ease of transfer. Make sure your film is all in the same place and you’re not scrambling to give them your rolls. The more confident and organized you are in your request, the more likely you are to get a hand check.
2. Climate Considerations
If you’re traveling somewhere with a radical climate shifts, it’s important to understand the various ways climate affects film. High humidity and moisture can be detrimental to both color and black & white film. These factors can cause the film emulsion to swell, leading to issues like sticking, tearing, and color shifts. In extreme cases, fungal growth can occur on the film surface, permanently damaging it. To help prevent this, use airtight containers or zip-lock bags with silica gel packets to absorb moisture and store film in a cool, dry place.
Heat accelerates the chemical reactions in film, leading to faster degradation. This results in color shifts, increased grain, and reduced contrast. The risk is higher for color film, which is more sensitive to temperature changes than black & white film. Avoid leaving film in hot cars or direct sunlight and store film in a cooler or an insulated bag, especially when traveling in hot climates. Consider refrigerating film when not in use, but then allow it to reach room temperature before use to avoid condensation.
Cold temperatures can cause film to become brittle, increasing the risk of it cracking during loading or unloading from the camera. However, cold can also act as a preservative, slowing down the aging process and keeping film fresher for longer. Store film in a pocket close to your body when out in the cold to keep it at a more stable temperature and also be gentle when advancing film in extremely cold conditions to prevent it from cracking.
3. Choosing and Managing Film Equipment for Travel
Opt for lightweight, durable cameras like Leica rangefinders or compact SLRs. A versatile lens like a 50mm or 35mm can cover most situations. Carry essential accessories like lens cleaning kits, a sturdy but lightweight tripod, extra batteries (particularly for metered cameras), and a reliable light meter. Many photographers will try and bring their entire collection on vacation in case a situation arises where they need to switch between formats. Subjectively I’ve found bringing one camera, and one lens along with some reliable gear to be the best way to travel. This way if you’re walking or moving locations you’re never weighed down by gear. It can also be difficult to decide what to shoot and how to shoot it when you are in unfamiliar terrain. Marrying yourself to one camera and one lens helps fix your aesthetic in one place and helps you to make more concentrated photographic decisions.
4. Understanding ISO
What kind of film do you want to bring for traveling, and what do you want to stay away from? Lets have a quick refresher on ISO and how it might affect your travel photos.
Low ISO Films (ISO 50-100): These films are ideal for bright, sunny conditions. They offer fine grain and high resolution, resulting in sharp, detailed images. Excellent for landscapes and architecture where detail is the main focus. However, they require more light and are less suitable for low-light conditions or fast-moving subjects.
Medium ISO Films (ISO 200-400): These are versatile choices suitable for a variety of lighting conditions. They offer a good balance between image quality and flexibility in changing light. Ideal for street photography, outdoor portraits, and overcast days.
High ISO Films (ISO 800 and above): High ISO films are perfect for low-light situations, indoor environments, or fast action. They have more grain, but remain flexible. Be aware high ISO films can be more susceptible to X-Ray damage if your film does end up being scanned.
5. Choosing the right film for the right context
Unless you are locked into a strict personal style, it’s important to understand what film is right for your trip. Films with vibrant color renditions, like Kodak Ektar 100 are excellent for capturing the richness and diversity of landscapes and urban settings. Their high saturation brings out the blues of skies and lush greens .Films that offer more natural color rendition, like Kodak Portra (available in 160, 400, and 800 ISO) could be more ideal for capturing street or consistent portraiture. Black and white could be good for architecturally diverse landscapes where you can focus on the interplay between highlights and shadows.
There are obviously no hard and fast rules for what kind of film to use, but it’s important to be thoughtful and intentional in your choice. Research the landscape and the history of photography surrounding the place you are visiting to get a stronger sense of what you want your photos to look like.
6. Research Local Labs
Decide whether or not you are going to develop at the place you are visiting or if you are planning to bring your undeveloped film back with you. If your destination has a thriving film culture it might benefit you to support local businesses and have the immediacy of your photos while you travel. Places like Japan have a deeply rooted history in photography, with a strong culture of film photography. Cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are hubs for film enthusiasts as Japan is also home to major camera manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm. Tokyo, in particular, is famous for its camera stores which sell a wide range of film cameras and film. Research the film community where you’re traveling and consider dropping off there to enrich your travel experience.
Reading this from outside the U.S.? Recommend us some excellent labs and film involved spots in the comments!!
