Shooting film again
First film roll after 10 years
A few months ago, I was at a friend’s wedding. I didn’t want to bring my main camera - I wanted to keep things light - but I still liked the idea of documenting the party. So I picked up a simple disposable camera. No previews, no adjustments, no overthinking - just point, shoot, and hope for the best. The images weren’t technically perfect - far from it - but they had a softness, a kind of unpredictability that I hadn’t felt in my photography for a long time. So I decided to take it a step further and get a proper point-and-shoot film camera.
A small camera, a different mindset
Instead of going all-in with a heavy film setup, I picked up a tiny Olympus XA-2 and loaded it with a Kodak Gold 200 film. A true point-and-shoot: zone focusing, no fuss, no distractions. It fits in a pocket, which already changes how you move, react and see. Shooting film forces me to be slower and compose more intentionally, because I want each frame to count. At the same time, I feel less pressure for perfection. Some shots will be overexposed, soft or simply missed and that’s part of the process and beauty of it.
The magic of not knowing
This is probably what I missed the most from shooting film as there’s something incredibly refreshing about not knowing what you just captured. No instant feedback, no quick dopamine hit, just a curiosity that builds up over days (or weeks) until you finally get your scans back. It definitely turns photography into something more patient and intentional.
What’s next?
Going back to film after 10 years felt like reconnecting with something I had slowly lost along the way: a way of seeing that’s more instinctive, less controlled, more open to imperfection. The Olympus XA-2 won’t replace my digital work, but it’s a perfect complement to my time documenting the streets of Saigon. I might even use it exclusively for a dedicated project - something more intimate that would benefit from the unique look of film. For now, it’s all about experimenting, staying curious, and figuring out which films resonate the most.