Best Film for Autumn Photography: Our Top 3 Film Stocks

Autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to shoot film.

As the leaves begin to turn and the light becomes softer, the colours around us change dramatically. Golden forests, crisp mornings and warm evening light create the perfect conditions for analogue photography, making autumn one of the favourite seasons for many film photographers.

Different film stocks respond to these colours in different ways. Some make reds and oranges burst with saturation, while others create soft, natural tones or timeless black and white images full of contrast and atmosphere.

Whether you're heading into the countryside, photographing autumn landscapes or simply capturing everyday moments on your favourite 35mm camera, choosing the right film can make all the difference.

Here are three of our favorite film stocks for autumn photography.

1. Kodak Ektar 100 - 35mm film

Perfect for Rich Autumn Colours

If your goal is to make autumn colours stand out, Kodak Ektar 100 is hard to beat.

Known for its incredibly fine grain and vibrant colour reproduction, Kodak Ektar 100 brings out the deep reds, golden yellows and rich oranges that define the autumn season. Landscapes, woodland walks and colourful parks all come to life on this film stock.

Because it's an ISO 100 film, it performs best in bright daylight or when using a tripod in lower light. During sunny autumn afternoons, Kodak Ektar 100 rewards photographers with incredibly sharp negatives and beautiful detail.

If you're planning to photograph colourful forests or scenic countryside, this is one of the best films you can load into your camera.

Why we love it

• Incredible colour saturation
• Extremely fine grain
• Beautiful for landscapes
• Excellent sharpness
• Perfect for sunny autumn days

The images were shot on Kodak Ektar 100
(Photos taken by @jandastudiosheffield)

2. Eastman Kodacolor 200 - 35mm film

Warm, Classic Autumn Colours

If you're looking for a film that captures the warmth of autumn without being overly saturated, Eastman Kodacolor 200 is a great choice.

Its warm colour palette works beautifully with golden leaves, brown tones and the softer light we often get during autumn. It's particularly suited to sunny autumn days, when the lower seasonal light creates a warm and natural feel.

At ISO 200, Eastman Kodacolor 200 performs best in good daylight, making it a great film to take on an autumn walk, a weekend trip or a day exploring the countryside. It also gives photographs that classic analogue character without needing to be an experienced film photographer.

From colourful woodland walks and autumn landscapes to portraits and everyday moments, Eastman Kodacolor 200 is a versatile option for capturing the season.

Why we love it

• Warm, natural colours
• Great for autumn leaves and landscapes
• Fine, pleasing grain
• Best suited to good daylight
• A great everyday 35mm film
• Easy to use for both beginners and experienced film photographers

The images were shot on Eastman Kodacolor 200
(Photos taken by @jandastudiosheffield)

3. Ilford HP5 Plus 400 - 35mm film

Autumn Doesn't Always Need Colour

Autumn isn't only about colorful leaves.

Some of the most atmospheric autumn photographs are captured in black and white.

Misty mornings, rainy streets, woodland paths and dramatic skies all take on a completely different character when photographed on Ilford HP5 Plus 400.

Its classic grain, wide exposure latitude and beautiful contrast make it one of the world's most loved black and white film stocks.

Instead of focusing on colour, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 draws attention to light, texture and emotion. Tree bark, fallen leaves, fog and changing weather suddenly become the stars of the image.

If you enjoy documentary photography, street photography or moody landscapes, Ilford HP5 Plus 400 is an excellent companion throughout autumn.

Why we love it

• Beautiful classic grain
• Fantastic contrast
• Great in lower light
• Perfect for moody autumn weather
• A timeless black and white film

The images were shot on Ilford HP5 Plus 400
(Photos taken by @jandastudiosheffield)

Final Thoughts

Autumn is a great time to get out with your film camera and experiment with different film stocks.

Whether you want bold, vibrant autumn colours with Kodak Ektar 100, warm and natural tones with Eastman Kodacolor 200, or a more atmospheric, timeless look with Ilford HP5 Plus 400, each film brings something different to your autumn photography.

The best part about shooting film is that there’s no right or wrong choice. Try a few different film stocks, head out for an autumn photo walk and see how each one captures the colours, light and atmosphere of the season.

At J&A Studio, we stock a range of 35mm film, medium format film and black and white film, alongside professional film developing and scanning to help you get the most from every roll.

So, grab your favourite film camera, load up a roll and make the most of those golden leaves, crisp mornings and cosy autumn days. And don't forget to tag @jandastudiosheffield on Instagram - we'd love to see what you capture.

All images featured in this blog are produced by J&A Studio - a professional photo studio and film lab, click here if you are looking for 35mm film developing from us.

Follow our Instagram if you love film photography and want to see the latest from our studio!