Why Is Everyone Shooting Black & White Film Again?

Over the last 12 months, we've noticed more and more customers asking for black and white film. Whether it's people buying their first roll of Ilford HP5 Plus, trying Kentmere Pan for the first time, or digging an old film camera out of storage, black and white photography is having a serious moment in 2026.

And honestly, it makes sense.

We live in a world where we're constantly surrounded by screens, AI-generated images, and thousands of photos uploaded every second. Black and white film feels like the complete opposite. It's slower, more deliberate, and much more rewarding.

So why has black and white film become one of the biggest photography trends this summer?

This photo was shot on Kentmere pan 400 - 35mm film

The Ultimate Digital Detox

Most of us take hundreds of photos every month without even thinking about it. A quick tap on a phone and it's done.

Film photography forces you to slow down.

A standard 35mm film roll gives you 24 or 36 exposures, and once they're gone, they're gone. Every frame costs money, so you naturally become more selective about what you photograph.

This image was shot on  Ilford HP5 Plus 400 - 35mm film

Instead of taking twenty photos of the same thing, you take one.

For many people, that's exactly why analog photography feels so refreshing. It's a chance to step away from endless scrolling and enjoy photography again.

A Rebellion Against Perfect AI Images

AI images are everywhere right now.

They're sharp, flawless, and often impossible to distinguish from reality. But that's also why many photographers are starting to move in the opposite direction.

Black and white film offers something AI can't replicate: imperfections.

Film grain, subtle contrast shifts, occasional light leaks, and unique textures give every image its own character. No two rolls ever look exactly the same.

In a world full of perfect digital images, film feels real.

Summer Light Looks Incredible on Black & White Film

Summer is arguably the best season for black and white photography.

The strong sunlight creates deep shadows and bright highlights that work beautifully on monochrome film. Without colour distracting the eye, you're left focusing on shape, texture, contrast, and light.

Street photography, architecture, festivals, and everyday moments all look fantastic on black and white film during summer.

Harsh midday sunlight, often avoided by colour photographers, can become one of your most useful creative tools.

Both photos were shot on Kentmere pan 400 - 35mm film 
showcasing strong summer sunlight & deep shadows.

Timeless, Emotional, and Built for Storytelling

Photography trends come and go, but black and white photography never really disappears.

Whether you're looking at photographs from the 1950s or images taken last week, monochrome photography always feels timeless. That's one of the reasons it remains so popular among documentary photographers, portrait photographers, and artists.

More importantly, black and white photography helps people focus on emotion. Without colour competing for attention, viewers notice expressions, atmosphere, shadows, and small details that might otherwise be overlooked.

This image was shot on  Ilford HP5 Plus 400 - 35mm film showcasing 
to capture and emphasize emotion

The image becomes less about what something looked like and more about how it felt.

That's why some of the most memorable photographs ever taken were shot on black and white film.

Final Thoughts

Black and white film isn't popular because it's nostalgic.

It's popular because it offers something many photographers feel is missing from modern photography: SIMPLICITY.

It slows you down, encourages creativity, and produces images with real character. Whether you're shooting your first roll of 35mm film or you've been developing film for years, there's never been a better time to explore black and white photography.

If you're thinking about starting a new film photography project this summer, stocks like Ilford HP5 Plus 400, Kentmere Pan 400, and Ilford FP4 Plus 125 are excellent places to start.

You might be surprised by just how much you enjoy seeing the world in black and white.

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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.

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