Wrath, Silence, and Portra 160
October 18, 2025The Runt
Film photography shows no signs of slowing down in terms of popularity, but why is there such commitment to this artistic medium? Film is slow, expensive, and does not always yield the highest quality work. It is unorthodox in this fast-paced world, a kind of ankle-biter at times. Yet, I suspect it is precisely these slow, meditative qualities that grip people’s dedication. There is no screen behind the camera to distract or gratify, and there are no thousands of digital files to edit after the moment. There is only the variety of film stocks to choose from, each with its own distinct personality.
Among the strongest film stocks are the Kodak Portra family: 160, 400, and 800, with 400 dominating global film stock sales from 2023 to 2025. It is easy to understand why: it is balanced in saturation, yields natural skin tones, and is versatile for most scenes and lighting situations. When pushed during the development process, it produces vivid yet natural color tones. The 800 follows in popularity (although its price tag can be prohibitive for some), with its rich, pastel-like tones and high speed. Lastly, seemingly the runt of the litter, comes Portra 160. Like a moth to a flame, I gravitated toward this underdog.
Portra 160 is advertised as the finest-grain film, capable of yielding cool, subdued colors. Compared to its siblings, it seems to be the quieter one—the child who does not mind the noise or make much of it either. It can appear drab, unwilling to assault your eyes with saturation and contrast. Why do I like it?
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. –Proverbs 16:32
On Wrath
We live in wrathful times. Not only that, but we live in an era where wrath can be monetized, being controversial yields payouts, and the primary capital is anger. Transactions are completed by paying with the currency of attention, and interest is gained by adding fuel to the fire.
In recent memory, Senator John Fetterman called for us to “turn the temperature down.” Implicit in his statement is the irreparable divide that may emerge between us if we continue down wrathful paths.
Arguably, there must be some national fatigue regarding this angry culture, however artificial or genuine. The love for all things nostalgic, including film photography, reflects this fatigue. When people choose to play vinyl records over streaming services, shoot film instead of digital, or wear a $15 watch instead of smart gear, it signals a preference for silence over all the rage.
On Silence
Everyone needs silence, now more than ever: a wordless walk on the trail, a quiet moment with a beloved book by the window. Children do not necessarily understand the need for silence because they are children. Perhaps it takes some form of maturity to appreciate the virtues of restraint and self-control. Who has thought of those things recently? They do not yield monetized clicks or annual attention returns, nor do they inflate the ego or turn hubris into death.
But let silence not be for silence’s sake alone. One must know when to speak and how to speak. Silence must be cultivated for the sake of greater virtues: patience, humility, and self-control. And I believe that, alongside these, if one earnestly seeks truth, there comes a knowledge of God as revealed in scripture.
On Portra 160
Because of this, I recognize the beauty of Portra 160 and prefer it over the other Portra films. I don’t wish to over-spiritualize it, but neither do I want to understate its value. The imagery I produce with this film stock reflects my need for silence. Though it may appear faded, boring, or dull to some, I feel no need to stimulate my senses with vivid colors and extreme contrast. In a sense, looking at these exposures feels like being spoken to—not with a blunt tone full of artificial intellectualism, but with a quiet assurance of hope and faith in things yet to come.
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