Definition
A spool of photographic film wound on a plastic or metal core, typically containing 24, 36, or 39 exposures, used in film cameras before digital photography. Users had to manually wind the film between shots and take the completed roll to a lab for development.
Example Usage
We finished the film roll during our vacation and took it to the drugstore to be developed.
Origin
Film rolls have existed since the invention of roll film by George Eastman in 1884, becoming the standard format for consumer cameras throughout the 20th century.
Fun Fact
The number of exposures on a film roll directly influenced how people composed their shots—36 exposures encouraged restraint, whereas digital photography's unlimited shots fundamentally changed photography behavior.
Related Terms
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