Written by Angela Izzo
I’ve always had an ethereal, dreamlike way of seeing life and my surroundings. Maybe it’s because I’m a Pisces—the sign of the Dreamer. Photography became a way for me to translate that feeling into an image, adding an extra layer of magic and mystery that makes you wonder, How did she do that?
My fascination with seeing things differently began in high school, when I first learned film photography. I was always drawn to finding unexpected ways of seeing an image, but when I went to college and majored in photojournalism, I was taught to photograph things as they were—no manipulation, no abstraction, just honest storytelling. I’m actually grateful for that discipline because it shaped me into a stronger storyteller through both photography and video.
Once I graduated and entered the wild world beyond school, I was finally free to document and create on my own terms.
My Journey into Film Surrealism
In 2010, a friend invited me on a Lomography day trip to the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA and Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. We were given film cameras to shoot with for the day, and my friend and I traded cameras throughout the experience, photographing whatever caught our eyes.
When I saw the developed images, something inside me shifted. The abstract, unexpected way of shooting felt like a visual language I had been searching for—a way of capturing the world beyond what was simply in front of the lens. Something new sparked inside me, and that moment became the beginning of my journey into film surrealism.
Embracing Imperfection & Experimentation
Embrace the chaos! Not everything has to be perfect—that’s part of the magic. I often carry multiple cameras to make sure I get the shot, but with plastic cameras, sharp focus and perfect exposure are never guaranteed. There will always be mistakes, surprises, and what I like to call “happy accidents.”
Light leaks can happen if a camera isn’t completely sealed or if you accidentally open the back before the film is fully wound. I’ll even seek out expired Polaroid film just to see what might happen.
Once, I accidentally shot an entire roll on bulb mode and was so upset, only to discover that some of the images came out incredibly surreal. What I thought was a mistake ended up creating something unexpected and beautiful.
Shooting with a 110mm fisheye can be tricky, too, because I had to learn exactly where the frame begins and ends. But that experimentation is what makes film so exciting to me. I recently visited the Huntington Gardens with my baby fisheye, photographing the Japanese gardens on color-treated film. By intentionally overlapping the frames, I created a surreal, dreamlike effect.
Cameras & Film Stocks I Love for Dreamy Images
The camera I’ve gravitated toward most for double exposures and wide shots is my Lomography Sardina. I know I tend to return to the same cameras, but there’s something special about finding a camera you understand—one where you’ve figured out how to create the images you envision while still leaving room for surprise.
When I was photographing my tarot series, Mystical Creatures, I purposely “film souped” my film by boiling it in water with different mixtures to create surreal effects. I wanted the archetypal characters to have an ethereal, otherworldly quality, and the unpredictable nature of the process helped bring that vision to life.
I would also order specialty film from dubblefilm when I wanted to incorporate specific light leaks or other effects. The Sardina became my go-to for this series because I understood its shape and knew I could control the composition while allowing the film itself to remain spontaneous in its color and texture.
I also love working with my Holga, especially when I load it with Lomography LomoChrome film. The film’s unique color palette already creates a surreal quality, so sometimes all it takes is the right framing—or adding a double exposure—to achieve that dreamy, otherworldly look.
For me, it’s this balance between knowing my tools and surrendering to the unexpected that makes experimental film so exciting.
Transforming the Ordinary
When I’m shooting with more abstract, color-tinted film, I always gravitate toward nature. I love the texture of leaves, flowers, trees, and organic shapes, and I’m constantly chasing the right light because light is what makes those colors come alive. Without it, the tones can feel flat and muted; with the right light, they can become vibrant, surreal, and almost otherworldly.
Some of my favorite photographs have come from simply walking out the door, finding a tree or flowering bush where the light is hitting just right, and placing my subject in front of it.
I love the challenge of transforming the ordinary into something that feels extraordinary. An alleyway, the side of a house, or a forgotten corner can suddenly look like we’ve been transported into another dimension.
It’s really about trusting your eye and knowing that you can create something magical no matter where you are. For me, the location doesn’t have to be spectacular—the light, the color, and the way you see it are what make the image.
Tips for Creating Dreamier Images on Film
A few of my tips for creating a dreamier look are simple: find the light and experiment with how you photograph it. Try focusing on shadows, or place your subject in backlight during golden hour, when the sun creates those beautiful lens flares. Move, shift, and dance with your camera to see how the flares catch the lens and transform the image.
You can also experiment with a camera that has double-exposure capabilities, layering different subjects, textures, and moments to create unexpected compositions. I even place prisms in front of my lens to add an extra dreamy look, creating abstract shapes within the image.
There really are no rules. Think of your camera as your paintbrush and the film as your canvas. Instead of simply documenting what’s in front of you, photograph the way you feel about it.
Play, experiment, and let the image unfold like a painting—sometimes the most beautiful results happen when you stop trying to control every detail.
Final Thoughts
This week, try photographing in a way you’ve never tried before—or experiment with something you’ve been curious about but too nervous to attempt.
How will you ever know what’s possible if you don’t try?
Who cares if you mess up. That’s often where the magic happens: in the mistakes, the unexpected results, and the process of figuring out how to take an idea one step further. Photography doesn’t always have to be so serious, so give yourself permission to play, experiment, and have fun with it.
I’m always excited to try new techniques with different cameras and film stocks just to see what happens. Sometimes you have an idea of what you want, and sometimes the film gives you something completely unexpected—and that can be even better.
So go out, experiment, and embrace the unknown. After all, life is but a dream…
Featured models: Angela Izzo, Nefertara, Ramona Collazo, Pearl Charles, Lia Braswell, Shauna La, Samitra Borhanpour, Serafia, Andrea Whit, and San Minotauro
Thank you so much, Angela! Angela is a regular contributor here at Shoot It With Film, and be sure to check out her other articles here, such as Photographing Concerts and Live Events on Film and Photographing Flowers on Film: Tips, Inspiration, & Creative Ideas.
You can also check out more of her work her website, Instagram, and YouTube.
Leave your questions about creating dreamy images on film below in the comments!
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