Country backroads have long been a place of peace and comfort for me, from the age of 13 when I would ride my bicycle down the turnrows of the cotton fields, to current day when I find myself taking the long way home after a stressful day. I always find a soothing solitude along these lonely roads.

I grew up in west Texas, and often found myself yearning to head to New Mexico. There's some magic in finding that you're the only car for miles, surrounded by the glory of the desert.

Somewhere in Texas | Olympus om1 | 50mm | Leah Curtis

Billy Henry's 'Untitled' feels like we've already arrived somewhere out west, and I can't help but wonder who used that gas pump for the final time. What is it about quiet, isolated places that evoke a yearning in me? It's a release from the digital busy-ness and constant demands of my daily life.

Untitled | Pentax 645nii | SMC Pentax fa 1 4.5 45-85mm | Billy Henry

And we continue on down the road, windows down, music up, hand waving slowly in the wind with the freedom to let go of anything we left behind.

New Mexico | Olympus om1 | gzuiko 35 | Paul O'Neill

Just An Open Road | Minolta SRT100b | Rokkor 50mm | Tiziana Venturi

Sometimes, the only way to find clarity is to get in the car and drive. No destination in mind, just the journey.

Speeding | Pentax k1000 50mm f2 | Rachael Machnee

Moonlit Dirt Road | Canon AE1 35mm | Destry Rose

Because even during the hard times, the long hours when you can't seem to find the answers, there's always rest to be found down a solitary back road.

Uphill | Voigtlander Superb TLR | Hank Beckmeyer

Waiting for spring | Rolleiflex 2.8e Xenotar 80mm f2.8 |Jess Hobbs

Since there's no specific destination, I promise it's never time wasted.

Dead End | Hasselblad 503cx Zeiss 80mm 2.8 | Kodak TriX 400 | Michael Hertz

Connect

Film photographer and back road enthusiast Jen Brimmage is based in Texas. Connect with her on her instagram.

Several of us in the FSC take part in the Frugal Film Project (I’m in my second year - I liked it so much I signed up again), and today we are pleased to present it to the rest of you, who might not have heard of it before. This article is by Larry Effler. — Amy Jasek

Larry Effler’s first Frugal Film Photo of 2024. Minolta Maxxum, 28-80 Sigma Zoom, Kodak UltrMax 400

The host and founder of the Embrace the Grain Podcast recently asked another podcaster, “What do you do when your inspiration to shoot photos goes ‘poof’ and disappears?” It’s funny that Sherry Christensen should ask that, because her other passion project is what many other photographers turn to when their inspiration goes “poof!”

Sherry’s “Frugal Film Project” is in its fifth year and it’s growing strong. More than 400 photographers have signed up to use a “frugal” camera to shoot a roll of frugal film every month. The monthly commitment helps so many of us overcome our lapses in inspiration.

Frugal Film Facts

The Project was inspired by a quote from a renowned wildlife and travel photographer David DuChemin. “I read a book he wrote, and the quote ‘the best way to learn exposure is to grab an old Spotmatic and some cheap B&W film.’ Sherry said. “It made me think, a basic camera and some cheap film? What a great idea! I asked the Negative Positives Facebook group if anyone might be interested in joining me in such a project, expecting maybe two or three people! But the response was much more. The first two years we had a dedicated website but it kept growing so much that we migrated to a Facebook group.”

The Frugal Film Project is easy to join, and the rules are simple. Source a camera for $75 USD or less and 12 rolls of inexpensive film. Shoot one of those rolls every month. Then you’ll need to join the “Frugal Film Project ‘24” Facebook group (don’t forget to answer the questions to join the fun!) then post your best photos from each roll. (Find the group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1163101494091862/.) That’s it.

January 2024 Olympus OM101 on Kentmere 400. Camera was a gift from a friend.

January 2024 Balda Baldax 6x4.5 on Ilford HP5. Camera cost £49.

April 2021 Olympus 35RC on Fomapan 200. Camera cost £30.

December 2021 Pentax SP500 and Meyer Optik 30mm f/3.5 Lydith on Ilford HP5 pushed 1 stop to 800. Camera and Lens cost £55.

May 2023 Agfa Isolette on Kentmere 400. Camera was a gift from a friend.

Above photos by Jim Graves.

Frugal Cameras

Those of us in the film photography community do have to face the fact that our hobby has become more costly over the last few years. So, can we still take decent pictures with a sub-75 dollar in 2024? Scrolling through the Frugal Film Project proves that answer to be a resounding “Yes!” The quality and variety of the photography is amazing. You will see beautiful dreamy landscapes, crisp urban street photos, portraiture, still life, macro, vintage color, and just about everything else. It’s a good place to go for inspiration.

If you’re thinking of joining The Frugal Film Project but can’t decide what kind of camera to use, a visit to the Facebook Group will also offer some inspiration. Late 90s and early 2000s auto-focus SLRs are well represented. My 2024 FFP Camera is a Maxxum 7000 with a 50mm AF Rokkor and an off brand zoom all from Goodwill for $45. Point and shoots are popular, too, but if you look closely you will see some more interesting cameras. How about a FED 4 from the old USSR? Another member is shooting with a 1960s Minolta rangefinder. You’ll see Holgas, Dianas, medium format folders, Brownie Hawkeyes, and Argus bricks. One enterprising Frugal Filmster is using a pinhole camera made from an old coffee can! You can’t get much more Frugal than that. Anything goes if you stay within the spirit of frugality. That means the new Leica M6 your rich uncle gifted you is not an appropriate Frugal Film camera even if it cost you less than $75.

Frugal Film

Film choice is part of the spirit of frugality, too. This isn’t the project for that $30 roll of fancy slide film you’ve been saving. Fomopan and Kentmere are popular black and white choices. Kodak Color Plus and FujiColor are common on the color side. One member is shooting a pack of Instax Mini every month! The film stock doesn’t matter as long as it’s not too expensive and you use the same one every month. It also doesn’t matter whether you process the film or send it to a lab. If you send it out, you might want to plan that turnaround time into your shooting schedule. And speaking of turnaround time, I’ve learned that it’s a lot easier to get through a 24 exposure roll in a month than it is to shoot 36.

Bench | Minolta XG7, 50mm lens | Kodak Select Royal Gold 200 pushed to 400

Flowers at Longwood Gardens | Minolta XG7, 45mm lens | Kodak Select Royal Gold 200 pushed to 400

Above photos by Christina Thomas

Frugal Film Community

When you join the Frugal Film Project you will find yourself in good company. Alex Luyckx, the well known “Explorer, Wanderer and Photographer” is an FFP veteran. He blogs about his entry for each month. Along with Alex’s beautiful photographs you will get a travelog on the fascinating history of some Canadian towns as well as an education on B&W film exposure and development. You’ll find his blog at http://www.alexluyckx.com/.

David Mihaly is “The Old Camera Guy” and an old hand with the Frugal Film Project. You can count on this popular YouTuber to post a unique and entertaining video with his monthly submissions. The Old Camera Guy takes the “Frugal” part seriously. His 2024 camera cost $2.25! (The lens was just a little more.) Check out his latest FFP video at https://youtu.be/MBr0lqKcp5M?si=SocFbQd-ZsPFMisu

Molly Kate is another YouTube personality involved with the Frugal Film Project. She’s shooting Kodak Gold 120 in her Holga this year (because it’s even easier to get through 12 exposures in a month!) You’ll see it on her “Eclectachrome” channel at https://youtu.be/dguSfuoP_zo?si=dpUgmiVMY8O7XcU4.

And of course, Sherry Christensen, host and founder of the Embrace the Grain Podcast is still frugal. Back in 2019 Sherry loaded her Pentax MV (it cost her a whopping 99 cents!) with Kodak Gold 200 to start the Frugal Film Project. In 2024 Sherry was planning on joining the Point and Shoot crowd with a Canon AF35M2 from 1983. This $5 Sure Shot will be loaded with Fujifilm Superia from 2019… but a cold snap made her rethink this decision. She opted for using a Pentax SF1 with a Magicon zoom and a Pentax zoom, with a total cost of $43 USD shipping included. Learn more about Sherry and the podcast at https://embracethegrain.com/. (below photos by Sherry)

These are just a few members of the film photography community who take part in the Frugal Film Project. So, find yourself an inexpensive camera, a dozen rolls of economical film and join, too. It’s a great way to have some cheap fun!