Frugal Film Project 2024
Starting the new year with a new project on film
Frugal isn’t a word you readily associate with film anymore. Rising prices have put many casual shooters off the medium for good. Yet since 2019 the number of people joining Sherry Christensen’s Frugal Film Project (FFP) has grown significantly.
Frugal rules
The idea is simple - buy a camera for $75 USD or less and 12 rolls of the same film. You then shoot a roll every month and share your results. You can also use a camera you previously bought, as long as it was under the price limit.
My choices for 2024
For 2024 I decided to use my Olympus Stylus Epic which cost $69.99 USD. Film choice was easy - Irohas Photo in Melbourne are running an amazing deal. A roll of Kodak Color Plus with free development and scanning is $19.95 (approximately $13.50 USD).
That means my camera, film, development and scanning all works out to about $19USD per month. Not as frugal as other people in the group admittedly, but I’m excited to see what this combo brings.
Frugal Facebook group
All of the discussion and photo sharing takes place in the FFP Facebook group. You can find out more details about the Frugal Film Project and what I’m shooting in my new video:
One project can inspire another
I was one of 20 odd people who took part in the first FFP in 2019. Some of my images from that year are among my all-time favourites. Many - including the ice cream van -found their way into my first film photography zine Every Summer.
Print copies of Every Summer are available for $22 USD which includes the zine, postcards, a sticker, and international postage.
You can also download a PDF copy of Every Summer instantly here on Substack:
Every Summer Film Photography Zine
I never wanted to go to the Isle of Wight. I didn't have anything against the place per se, but we didn't have the time nor money to do the trip I had planned, so this is where we ended up. Until I met my wife, the only thing I knew about the place was that it featured in The Beatles' song "When I'm 64".
2024 goals
In previous years I’ve done podcasts and videos about my goals for the year. As I write this on New Year’s Day, looking at the rain teeming down outside, I’m struggling to remember any of them from a year ago. I’m wondering if I should even bother this year? If you do, I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
Happy new year! Wishing you all a healthy, happy, exciting and productive 2024.
Cheers
Matt
Hi Matt. Only recently discovered your great youtube channel. This will be my first go at the Frugal Film Project, looking forward to it. A friend if mine kindly enquired with Sherry at the FFP and, apparently, as I'm not on facebook but I am on Instagram, if I add #frugalfilmptoject, then my offerings will be noted I believe. My choices are as follows: - Adox Sport 6x9 folder (one from my collection that effectively cost me nothing) with an old Zeiss Ikon Ikophot light meter that seems to work ok and Kentmere 400 film, developed in caffenol. Fingers crossed 🤞☺️
Woah with grabbing a stylus epic for 70 bucks and that film deal you are set! That is sweet! Ever since 2021 I’ve kept my x100v always on me and been shooting with that and since early last year have started to do monthly photo posts but as 2024 is here haven’t really given any thought to a new photo related resolution. I like that a roll a month idea. Haven’t really done too much film stuff lately. Perhaps I’ll bust out my yashica T2 I snagged several years back for $30 bucks and shoot the last 4 rolls of Fujifilm c200 I got for 4 dollars a roll. That will keep things frugal indeed.