Roll Two in Black & White

Jun 19

This is the second roll of film I’ve run through the plastic wonder that is the Diana Mini. I shot it back-to-back with a roll of Kodak Gold 200, and since I developed both at the same time, I didn’t get a chance to learn from the first before diving into the second. But now that the results are in, here are a few lessons I’m carrying forward into the next roll.

☀️ ISO 200 Loves the Sun

ISO 200 film really shines (literally) outdoors on bright, sunny days — a bit of overcast is okay too. But anything dimmer? Not ideal. From what I’ve seen so far, ISO 400 might be my new go-to for everyday shooting. It seems to strike a nice balance for the kind of lighting I typically shoot in.

⚖️ Exposure is Everything

The Diana Mini only has a single shutter speed (or the “manual” option, if you want to wing it), so there’s not a lot of wiggle room for dialing in exposure. That makes getting proper exposure tricky. I think it’s time I start learning how to meter properly — probably with my next camera.

🎞️ Expired Film = Unpredictable Fun

Shooting expired film is a bit like rolling the dice — and I kind of love it. You get wild colour shifts and unexpected tones, but if you’re into dreamy, imperfect vibes, it’s a total mood. Embrace the flaws!

📐 Composition Still Needs Work

I’m definitely still working on framing. Need to remind myself of the good ol’ rule of thirds more often. It's easy to get caught up in the moment and forget, but composition makes all the difference.

Each roll feels like a new chapter in this analog journey. Onward to the next one — with fresh (or expired) film, better light, and hopefully sharper compositions.