Film Photography Guide for Louisville

Picking the right film can feel tricky. Stocks sell out, prices change, and there are lots of choices. This simple guide helps you choose a film that fits your look and your budget—whether you’re just starting or you’ve been shooting around Louisville for years.

Film Types and What They Do

Every film has its own look. Think about the light you have and the look you want.

Black & White: Kodak Tri-X and Ilford HP5 Plus give classic, bold photos and are easy to expose.
Color Negative: Kodak Portra and Fujifilm Superia give soft skin tones and natural colors.

Slide (E-6): Fujichrome Velvia is super sharp and vivid but needs careful exposure.
Film Speed (ISO): ISO 50–200 = fine grain for bright days. ISO 400–3200 = better in low light with more grain.

Film size matters too. 35mm is small and easy to carry. 120 (medium format) gives cleaner, bigger detail. Large format is the sharpest for art and landscapes.

Brands at a Glance

Each brand has a “feel.” Here’s a quick, plain-English breakdown.

Kodak

Portra (160/400/800): soft skin tones and wide latitude—great for families and portraits.
Ektar 100: super fine grain, bold color—great for travel and fall leaves.
Gold 200 / ColorPlus 200: warm, budget-friendly color.
Tri-X / T-Max: black & white legends with punchy contrast.

Read Kodak’s film tips: Kodak Professional Film.

Ilford

HP5 Plus (400): forgiving, classic b&w look—great in winter light.
Delta 100/400/3200: modern, fine-grain black & white.
FP4 Plus (125): smooth tones for studio and landscapes.
XP2 Super: black & white you can process in C-41 at color labs.

B&W starter info: Ilford Film Guide.

Lomography

Color Neg 400 / 800: bold, fun color for everyday use.
Purple / Turquoise / Redscale: creative color shifts and playful looks.

See sample looks: Lomography Film.

Where to Buy & Develop in Louisville

Stock changes fast—call ahead, especially near the holidays. Around town, check Bardstown Road, St. Matthews, and the Highlands for film and friendly help. You can also order online for quick shipping to Oldham County and Metro Louisville.

Local camera shops: ask for Kodak, Ilford, and Lomography basics; many also do C-41 and b&w processing.
Online: B&H, Freestyle Photo, and Film Photography Project ship quickly to KY.
Community: Louisville film groups host swaps and share restock alerts.

Want easy, local tips for picking film and scanning? Read our post: Choosing Film & Getting Great Scans.

Save Money: Smart Film Picks

Good photos don’t have to be pricey. Try these budget-friendly rolls:

• Kodak ColorPlus 200: warm color at a nice price.
• Fujifilm Superia X-TRA 400: handy all-purpose color.

• Kentmere 400: low-cost black & white for daily shooting.
• Fomapan 100: classic b&w look, great for sunny days.

Seasonal Tips

Summer: ISO 50–100 for fine grain; keep rolls cool.
Fall: Kodak Gold or Ektar 100 for bold leaves in Cherokee Park.
Winter: Portra 800 or HP5 pushed to 1600 for low light.
Spring: Portra 400 or FP4 for soft, pastel tones.

Pro Tip: Stock up by October—Portra 400 and HP5 often sell out in December. Check again in January for restocks and deals.

Quick Start: Pick a Roll & Shoot

• New to film? Start with Portra 400 (color) or HP5 (b&w) at box speed.
• Meter for the shadows—slight overexposure looks great on negative film.
• Tell your lab if you pushed or shot under LEDs—they’ll scan it right.

Conclusion

Figure out the look you love, match a film to your light, and keep a few favorite rolls on hand. With a simple plan and local help, you can shoot film year-round in Louisville—without breaking the bank.

Need film or processing? Stop by your local Louisville shop or order online—then bring your rolls in for fast scans.

Explore Film Options