I don’t know if it’s the way they make me recall my childhood photos or if it’s the artistry of playing with light and dark in an image, but I love the look of black and white photos.

There are several kinds of film readily available that will give you black and white prints using your 35mm camera. Here’s a quick rundown of your choices:

Kodak c-41 film: This film gives you black and white prints, but can be processed at any lab that processes color film. It costs around $6 a roll for the film and $7-8 for developing 24 prints. The plus is quick prints; even the one-hour film lab can develop this film. Your prints will be black and white images printed on color processing paper. The downside is that many photo attendants do not know how to adjust their machines to give you “true” black and white images. This film can print with a green, orange or lavender cast if printed incorrectly. If you use this film and are not satisfied with your prints, ask for them to be done again.

Kodak T-Max Professional film: This film is true black and white. These prints will be printed on special black and white processing papers. This film costs around $4 a roll and $12-14 for developing 24 prints. You’ll have to send them out to the overnight lab though--and it takes 3-7 days to get them back. Kodak labs usually do a super job with this film. The plus with this film is your prints are “archival”. The black and white printing process is different from the color process and results in prints with a longer life. The downside is the wait!

MooVue film: This film is made by the scrapbook company EK Success. It is a C-41(color type) process film and like the Kodak C-41 can be processed anywhere. If developed correctly this film will give you a sepia (brown) antique looking print.