During July, our SIWF Insiders members tackled one of our favorite experimental film techniques: film soup!
We shared video lessons with demonstrations of the process, an eBook answering your questions, and lots of recipes to get you started. The Insiders took this info and ran!
Here are a few highlights of the amazing film soup images they created!
Want to know more about SIWF Insiders?
Shoot It With Film Insiders is a membership group to help you grow your film photography skills, get inspired, and connect with others on a similar film photography journey. Our monthly courses cover a range of topics from developing, technical film photography skills, and creative techniques (like film soup!). Find out all about it and join here!
From Kathy: This was from my second time trying film soup. I have several rolls of expired film, so I thought why not try it on those first to see if I like the process. It’s such a thrill to see what the ‘souping’ produces!!
This was expired Kodak 200 film souped in Trader Joe’s Red Refresh Tea and a squirt of Dawn dish soap.
Find Kathy on Instagram at @kathleenrobertsphotography.
From Allison: This was my first attempt at Film soup. I love this sunrise image. Kodak Ektar souped in red Kool-Aid and boiling water.
Find Allison on Instagram @allisoncharnin.
From Heidi: I LOVE FILM SOUP!!!! I love how you have no real control of the results – it’s magic every single time!
Find Heidi on Instagram at @heidialhadeffleonard.
From Jessica: This was my very first experiment with film soup, but I’m a planner so I researched a lot and did three rolls to try it out so I could try different stocks and soup ingredients.
I love the juxtaposition of things you can control with things you can’t. I can control my film type, exposure settings, and ingredients and process for the soup, but I can’t control what effect the souping will have on the film in that little canister. Magic comes from that.
This was Kodak ColorPlus 200 souped in boiling water, yellow rose petals, and a bag of Republic of Tea’s “Red Hot Holiday Tea.” Developed and scanned by Film Lab 135.
Find Jessica on Instagram at @sixpencepics.
From Eva: This was my second time souping my own film. I will definitely be trying more recipes in the future!
Find Eva on Instagram at @daydreamsbyeva.
From Courtney: This was my first time trying film soup, and even though I do LOVE how this one particular photo turned out, ultimately I learned that the lengthy process and extreme unpredictability of souping film just isn’t for me. However, I did enjoy the experience, and I’m really glad I gave film soup a whirl, thanks to this group.
Find Courtney on Instagram at @courtshootsfilm.
From Sonia: I think this was my second time souping film. I’m definitely motivated to try more. I LOVE the colors on this one…can’t remember the recipe though, lol.
Find Sonia on Instagram at @soniamarfatiagoode.
From Mallory: I’m not a soup newbie or veteran–somewhere in the middle, where I’ve got the technique down but still lots of experimenting with recipes and subjects.
I’m finding that I really like how Kodak Ultramax 400 soups with dish soap, lemon juice and salt–the colors are so wild and vivid! I particularly like the way this image turned out–I was drawn to the curly cue shapes of this grass and in combination with the soup, it feels very dream-like.
Find Mallory on Instagram at @mallory_wanders.
From Kara: First time souper! This was Kodak Gold 200 souped in boiling water, dish soap, and lavender bath fizz. Developed and Scanned by Film Lab 135.
Find Kara on Instagram at @karashootsfilm.
From Cami: I’ve souped plenty of rolls, and each time the magic is different and new. From subtle texture to insane color, it’s just the dance with chance I need sometimes.
Find Cami on Instagram at @bluehillimages.
From Sara: I used a tried and true recipe for the first image, blue Dawn and salt!
With the second image, I experimented with a new recipe for this roll: original Tide powder and fresh squeezed orange juice! Souper beware: the tide started to work away emulsion on my leader that was out so I only left it in the Tide concoction for about 15-20 minutes, fully rinsed, and then redid more warm water over top. The whole process made for wild colors and results!
Find Sara on Instagram at @everydayinfilm.
From Alex: My very first time souping and it won’t be my last – the effects were just magical!
Find Alex on Instagram at @ordered_space.
From Catherine: This was not my first time souping, I’ve been doing it for about a year now, but, recently, I have been experimenting more with different variables in the process and surrendering to the MAGIC.
Find Catherine on Instagram at @everydaymamma.
From Brittany: This is probably my third of fourth time souping film. I actually didn’t know before this module to boil the water. I was afraid of doing that and ruining the film. So I tried boiling the water with this one, and I kept it really simple by just adding some CBD soda and only left it in there for an hour. Expired Kodak gold 200.
The second image is Lomo 400 souped in Strawberries, plums, lime juice, salt, boiling water. Developed by Blue Moon Camera and Machine and scanned by me!
Find Brittany on Instagram at @clovenmoon.
From Anna: This was my first time souping any film. I also developed on my own. This was boiling water and ginger turmeric tea from Trader Joe’s. Soaked for 6 hours.
Find Anna on Instagram at @am_photography_lifestyle.
From Taylor: This was my second attempt at film soup and much more successful than the first! I love the tones in this photo and how the soup left a glowing section at the end of the path. I think the composition on this photo works without the soup, and then the soup adds to the overall vibe.
Find Taylor on Instagram at @avecfilm.
From Brandi: This was my first ever soup image I saw from my first roll. I was immediately hooked.
Find Brandi on Instagram at @brandimollicaphotography.
Want to join us and become a SIWF Insider? Check out all of the info here!
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