Expired But Not Forgotten: The Thrill and Challenge of Shooting Old Film

There’s something strangely exciting about loading a roll of expired film into your camera. Whether it’s a forgotten box in the back of the fridge or a car boot sale find, expired film brings mystery, unpredictability, and sometimes magic to analogue photography.

But before you press the shutter, it’s worth understanding what makes expired film so appealing — and what makes it tricky. Here's a breakdown of the pros, cons, and how to shoot it.

🌟 The Pros of Shooting Expired Film

1. Unique Aesthetic - Expired film often delivers results that fresh film can’t replicate — colour shifts, odd contrast, unexpected tones, and grain that gives images a dreamy or vintage look.

2. Creative Experimentation - You never know exactly what you’ll get, and that’s part of the fun. Expired film is perfect for creative projects, experimental compositions, and double exposures.

3. Budget-Friendly (Sometimes)You can often find expired film at a lower price than fresh stock, especially in bulk or second-hand. Occasionally, people will even give it away if they’re clearing out.

4. Eco-Friendly - Shooting expired film helps reduce waste and gives old stock a second life instead of letting it end up in landfill.

⚠️ The Cons of Shooting Expired Film

1. Chemical Breakdown - As film ages, the emulsion degrades — especially if it wasn’t stored in a cool place. This can cause fogging, faded colours, reduced contrast, or even completely blank frames.

2. It Might Have Already Been Shot - Some expired rolls have already been partially used — whether someone forgot to finish the roll or reloaded it accidentally. This can lead to unintentional double exposures, which are sometimes fascinating but often result in unusable images.

3. ISO Loss - Over time, film becomes less sensitive to light. Colour film is especially vulnerable. A common rule is to overexpose by 1 stop per decade past expiry — for example, shoot ISO 400 film at ISO 200 if it’s 10 years out of date.

4. Processing Limitations - Some older films (like Kodachrome or obscure slide films) use processes that are no longer supported. Others might confuse modern scanners with weird colour shifts or dense fogging.

🎞️ Tips for Shooting Expired Film

📉 Rate It Lower - Overexpose expired film to compensate for lost sensitivity. A good starting point is 1 stop per decade, but black and white film typically holds up better than colour.

🧊 Check the Storage History - Film stored in a fridge or freezer tends to age much more gracefully. If it sat in a loft or shed through hot summers, expect heavy degradation.

📷 Test Before You Commit - If you’ve got a batch, shoot one roll first to see how it behaves. That way, you can dial in exposure adjustments before using the rest.

🧪 Use a Lab That Understands Film - Some labs know how to handle expired stock and won’t be surprised by weird colours or foggy negatives. Always mention the film is expired when sending it in.

🎨 Embrace the Imperfections - Don’t expect clean, clinical results. Expect the unexpected — strange hues, ghostly silhouettes, light leaks, or overlapping images. Sometimes the best frames are the ones you didn’t plan.

Final Thoughts

Shooting expired film is part art, part science, and part gamble. For some, it’s frustrating; for others, it’s addictive. If you’re looking to create something unique, nostalgic, or just want to explore photography with a bit of chaos, expired film might be your perfect creative tool.

Just don’t forget to wind it all the way back before opening the camera — especially if it’s already been shot once before.