7 Creative Film Photography Exercises to Try This Summer
Looking for fun ways to play with your film camera this summer? These 7 creative creative film photography exercises to try this summer are perfect for long days, golden light, and artistic exploration.xercises—perfect for long days, golden light, and artistic exploration.
When the days are long and the light lingers well past bedtime, there’s no better time to grab a roll of film and let your creative side run wild. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or just film-curious, summer is a goldmine of light, texture, and color—ripe for experimentation.
This isn’t a shot list full of pressure or perfection. It’s a permission slip to play. To explore. To get weird. (In the best way.)
Here are 7 film photography ideas to spark your next summer roll:
1. Double Exposure Magic with Florals
Layer blooms over portraits, street scenes, or landscapes for dreamy, surreal effects. Pro tip: shoot your first frame with bold shapes and shadows, and your second frame with bright flowers against a clean sky.
2. Play With a New Film
Look for new fun films to try, like Dubble Film (below). Bonus challenge: shoot from weird angles or different times of day to set the scene for maximum magic.
3. Shoot Through Something Shiny
Grab a prism, sunglasses, beads, or even a tinsel curtain. Shooting through reflective or translucent objects adds unexpected flares, color shifts, and a dose of whimsy.
4. Get Intentional with Light Leaks
On to number 4 of the 7 creative creative film photography exercises to try this summer are playing with light leaks! Try cracking the back of your camera slightly between frames (only for a second—don’t overdo it!). Or use an old, quirky camera known for light leaks (hello, Holga). It’s chaos you can’t quite control—and that’s half the fun.
5. Go Bold with Color: Try Kodak Ektar 100
Known for its super-saturated tones, Ektar 100 shines in full sun. Think: beach umbrellas, retro swimsuits, fruit stands, and neon signs. It’s the perfect stock to make your summer palette pop.
6. Mini-Series Challenge: One Roll, One Theme
Pick a theme like “red,” “shadow play,” “motion blur,” or “film soup” and challenge yourself to shoot one roll with that theme in mind. Constraints fuel creativity—and make scanning your roll feel like Christmas.
7. Dust Off the Sprocket Rocket
If you’ve got a quirky point-and-shoot like the Lomo Sprocket Rocket, now’s the time. Use it for wide landscapes, beach days, and sun-flares. Embrace the edge bleed, the grain, and the vintage vibes.
Final Tip: Don’t Chase Perfection—Chase Curiosity
Summer film isn’t about nailing every exposure. It’s about the way you felt when the shutter clicked. So grab your favorite camera, a roll or two of something new, and go make some magic.
Want more creative prompts like this?
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Kim Hildebrand
Photographer & Online Educator since 2007
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