Film of the Month: Let it Snow
Why This Film, Right Now
There’s something about black and white film that just hits different. It feels nostalgic, but also intentional — like the lack of color forces you to slow down and really look.
This time of year, it especially shines. The air feels clearer and colder, and there’s a moodiness that black and white tends to thrive in. When I loaded this roll, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect. At first glance, the packaging threw me off a bit — but what came back on the roll completely changed my mind.
Why We Chose It
What initially drew us to this film was the name: Let It Snow. It felt like a natural choice for January, when snow has a way of turning familiar places into something new.
The grain is super fine — and while I usually lean toward bring on the grain, there was a cleanliness here that I really liked. What surprised me most was how the scans with subjects a bit closer really stood out. The contrast felt deeper, and the focus felt stronger.
Where It Shines
We shot this roll on a Bend Photo Walk at Riley Ranch Nature Preserve. Shots with more texture and landscapes with a clear subject felt the strongest.
Because this film is often talked about as a landscape film, I was surprised by how much I preferred the closer-range shots. It made me want to shoot it again, but this time with that intention in mind — focusing less on wide scenes and more on detail.
How I Shot It
This roll was shot on a Canon AE-1, which honestly felt like the obvious choice. It’s dependable, straightforward, and it felt like the best way to get a real sense of what this film could do.
Who This Film Is For
This feels like a great option for anyone wanting to experiment outside the usual black and white stocks.
The lower ISO makes it especially nice for brighter conditions — like what snow brings (even though we didn’t end up with any snow shots). It also feels well-suited for landscape shooters who want a specific prompt: shoot a mix of subjects, change focal lengths, and really see how the film responds.
Final Thoughts
Let It Snow feels like a good way to start the year — calm, reflective, and quietly rewarding.
If you’re curious why we keep coming back to film in the first place, you can read more about that here.
