for the love of film

January of course brought the New Year and for me, the end of my 365 project. The empty space that surrounded me was welcome. You see, what my mind has been craving is peace, stillness, and a sense of s.l.o.w.i.n.g down.

Digital photography often gives me space, but in comparison, film is a slow stroll in the park. I've not dabbled in film for many many years, yet something about this new {again} inspiration seemed just right for me. And so in January, I stepped into those waters again after so much time away. I got my hands on a nifty toy camera. The Blackbird, Fly. It's a sweet little twin lens reflex {toy!} camera {this means plastic lens} that happily takes 35mm film. I was beyond giddy to get my hands on it to explore and play.

Do you remember the first time you got behind the steering wheel? My mom took me to the big church parking lot on the corner in our neighborhood.  The keys jingled, the clutch brake and accelerator got jumbled under my teenage feet, the road was too vast, the windshield too constricting ... not to mention all the gears and knobs and spedometer! I crept along hurkey jurkey nauseating my mother and myself across the empty parking lot as I figured out how to control the machine I was driving.

Patience, grasshopper.
Getting back to film was kinda like that for me. 

It's exactly the slowing down that I need. It's quite the opposite of the gluttonous-continuous-shutter-release of my 4-frames-per-second-nikon-dslr that comes fully equipped with instant-gratification-kapow! And so ... it's exactly the learning curve I am desiring. To feel that newness again, that quiet unfamiliar sense of not.knowing.anything but going for it anyway simply for the pleasure of it, the intrigue, the curiosity, the love.

I dropped off three rolls of film at my local print shop. 

I really had no idea what to expect. I had never before in my life shot with a toy camera. And certainly not a dizzying twin lens reflex camera. {It makes me laugh outloud, to be so dizzy. It makes me feel like a kid again. And I take that as a very good sign.}

What I got with a hand full of contact sheets was a face full of smiles.
And a new {again} obsession.
Tell me, when was the last time you dabbled in film?
Share with me your favorite film camera, toy or otherwise.
And leave some photo love in the comments!

Comments

[Marcie]

Well...it's been awhile since I've used film...but I have found a new obsession and that's with the making of 'still life' images'. I've become obsessed with all of the possibilities..and like using film - it's about slowing things down and feeling my way thru:
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1428
http://marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1427

[Jennifée]

I just got back from the lab a medium format roll I shot with my Diana+ last summer. What with me being so slow with both finishing and developing the roll, I got a set of images that smell of sun, sea and holiday, a perfect antidote to the current midwinter fogs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/85057042@N00/5366140491/

[Angela DiGiovanni | life * iphoneography * art]

Okay, this is not film, but tonight I played with video editing, which I've never done before. I did it for exactly what you said, the simple pleasure of it, the intrigue... and I think I have found a new love!

Here is the sweetest four year old girl doing what any little girl in a new sparkling skirt would do... spin, of course! I loved slowing it down, making it grayscale, and giving it an old film vibe.

http://angeladigiovanni.com/2011/01/17/the-artist/355/

[christine]

I just got a Diana mini for christmas and my first roll came back about a week ago. The first 4 our from the Diana: http://just-travelin-through.blogspot.com/2011/01/my-everyday.html

Here's some more on this stream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35957913@N00/sets/72157624933993311/

[BlessedMess]

I can't agree more with your sentiment of slowing down. I got a Holga for Christmas this year and I have been loving the more contemplative approach and how my actions need to be more full of intent and purpose. There is definitely a learning curve again...between remembering to take of the lens cap (duh) and not letting the 12/16 exposure indicator move (I got two rolls of overlapping exposures...oops!) I'm looking forward to mastering my new (old) hobby.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12418609@N00/5357536783/

[A.Jarrett]

I've been falling more and more in love with film these days. I've heard it described as "going from shooting bullets" with my dslr to "rock and a sling shot" with my film camera!

Some of my favorite captures:

http://thesweetlight.com/2011/01/film-natural-light/

[Leslie]

I need to spend more time with my Holga; I love the accidental (or intentional) double-exposures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/westieluvr/3903837193/in/set-72157622197021631/

Of course, my SX-70 is still my all-time favorite: http://www.flickr.com/photos/westieluvr/3528269612/in/set-72157606656487077/

[kristin]

wow i love your new "toy"
i have "toy" envy! ;)
my toy is collecting dust maybe i need to go dust her off and take her out to play.
here is an old holga of mine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/3749815670/

[Heather]

I am falling in love with film and it is rebuilding a relationship...my father, an artist in his heart, was a photographer when I was growing up and his images, taken with an old Nikon, are exactly what I wish my photography looked like now. Our relationship has been rocky but with the passing down of that camera and conversations about the art of photography, film is bringing us together in a way that other attempts could not.//

[heidi]

I LOVE the look of film, and as a special treat to myself, I bought a used film canon camera and snapped my very first roll this Christmas. I was so pleased with the results...Here are my faves:

http://shootingtheadamses.blogspot.com/2010/12/filmy-fun.html

[cara]

I've been 'getting back to film' for the last 6 months or so. I love the different way it requires us to shoot, more carefully, more selectively, and the suspense and excitement of waiting to know what you got.
here's my set on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/sets/72157624884680888/

and here's 2 main faves: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/4960133441/in/set-72157624884680888/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cararosephotos/5356764309/in/set-72157624884680888/

And thanks for this topic; it's one I'm currently very excited about!

[Kiley]

I still have a love affair with film, and where I live, film is inexpensive to buy and to process! My favorite film camera is my vintage Yashica Electro 35 GSN from about 1973. Its beautiful, and it takes magnificently sharp photos (assuming its properly focused - its a rangefinder, and even after a lot of practice, I am still not skilled at focus). I still have 6 rolls of film to scan from my summer holiday in Japan, but this is one of my favorite shots from my home in China:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gogovivi/4723613251/in/set-72157624331598408/

The Yashica is a lovely camera. You can see it here: http://www.gogovivi.com/2010/09/camera-porn-it-was-meant-to-be.html.html

[Lisa Gutierrez]

Oh, the Blackbird Fly looks SO interesting/fun.
Here's some Polaroid love:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/4837845359/ (sx-70 camera + expired film)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/4889016580/in/set-72157624673190998/ (sx-70 + impossible px70 film)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yarnattacks/4985197754/ (Spectra + soft tone Image film)

I love the...slowness...of film. How you have to think before pressing the shutter. Too often, I find myself taking photos with my own Nikon DSLR and then uploading to my computer and wondering why in the world I shot what I did. Every exposure I make with my Polaroid cameras has meaning.

[Tracy]

This is such a timely post for me as I have just recently started to shoot film again. It has been a joy and a much needed opportunity to slow down and shoot more consciously and deliberately. I leave all of my digital scans alone - no Photo Shop, and I'm loving the break from editing which is often so overwhelming for me. I am using my dad's Pentax K1000 that he has had forever and used to shoot so many of our family photos.

A recent shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/5366723139/
And if you have a few moments, my new film Flickr set: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/sets/72157625464278005/with/5366723139/
Me with the Pentax! http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/5222885872/in/set-72157625422891144/

[Kathy Hunt]

I, too, fell back in love with film in early 2009. It was the intrigue of seeing a Diana F+ at Urban Outfitters that started it all. I had an original Diana when I was about 6 years old and really wanted this bright and shiny new one. I got the Diana and more after that and dug out the old camera collection. Now, I have about 50 vintage and toy cameras and shoot with just about every one of them. Thanks to a father that supports my habit, I now have everything from cute little rangefinders to a large format Crown Graphic. I am on a mission to create art from the most basic and toy type cameras to show that it's not the camera that takes the photo, it's the artist behind the camera ;-)

I am also developing my black and white film at home again. It is a process I had missed dearly even though I didn't even know it.

If you would like to see my images, I have my film based photography website here: www.AnalogSoulPhoto.com
My blog about all things film photography is here: www.AnalogSoulPhoto.WordPress.com
And my flickr stream is here with (mostly) film images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/framerkat/

Feel free to make me a contact if you're on flickr...I love being connected with other film photographers ;-)

[georgia]

oh, man! after seeing this totally cool photo, i wish i could say i have dabbled in film. i have not touched a film camera in probably 15 or 20 years! and i was not into photography back then... not the way i am now.

but if this image doesn't make me want to start, i don't know what would?

absolutely LOVE this photo! thanks for sharing your new obsession with us!

[Kristy]

I really enjoyed this post, and your beautiful image! I love those film sprockets with the vintage brick!

I feel exactly as you do, and turned to film several years ago to slow down the process, as I too felt the gluttonous overwhelm with snapping so many digital shots. I have also explored making my own pinhole cameras, using paper negatives, and developing them myself. It feels more like creating art for me, if I use my hands more in the process of creating the image.

Here is a gallery of medium format images made with my Brownie Hawkeye cameras, developed in homemade developer:

http://kristyhom.com/vintagecams_and_caffenol.html

Thank you for this post, and for inviting us to shar our film work! I look forward to seeing everyone's images!

[Dr Lindy]

Meredith, I'm right with you. I have taken the month to slow down and be selfish and alone. My brother lent me his giant color printer and I have been printing instead of shooting,. Brand new for me. I'm having so much fun, but I may bury myself in prints.
My favorite toy is a subject I try to write about a lot, but I'm not sure I know the answer other than dolls. I loved making up musicals under the willow tree with my dolls and stuffed animals.
It takes all kinds as my Mom would say.
LIndy

[bella]

love film. love toy cams! 120 in my holga, 35 in my fisheye.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/2549151605/in/set-72157601863473267/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/2717027633/in/set-72157601863473267/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/4550577699/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirovic/3609292684/

[rawqueen]

This is soooo fun! Unfortunately I am unable to jump on the film train as of yet. Near impossible, not to mention ultra costly to pursue this vein of creativity here in Jamaica. For now. But ooohhhh I remember the anticipation of dropping off film to print. I am seeing the world in new ways though. Through the artistic eyes of my gifted children. I am loving taking photos of their works. You can see the latest here.
http://somethingblu.wordpress.com/2011/01/18/a-three-year-old-cubistcreativity-from-the-rock/

[gonzomama]

my digital gave out on me back in october. i shot film almost daily from then until i got a new digital in december. now i'm enjoying both.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59735955@N00/5092118210/in/set-72157624948908410/

[cindy]

your photo looks fantastic! i love my fujifilm instax mini 25, which is a film camera, but i get the photo right away (best of both worlds) - http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/5250095626/in/set-72157606314113720/

i also recently picked up a roll of the new kodak portra 400 and can't wait to give it a whirl!

[Jen]

I am so encouraged to see so many folks are loving film again!

I love both of my polaroids: the sx70 and the spectra.
I bought a Minolta 7000 Maxxum after shooting with a Sony DSLR, so now the lenses are interchangeable.


and joy of joys...I put my first roll of film into my Brownie Hawkeye last week!

[Stephanie]

It's been a while since I shot on film but I love how peaceful the process is. http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/4813531160/in/set-72157624894103027/

Most of my black and whites were shot on film http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephaniecourt/sets/72157624894103027/with/4813531160/

[Kristin]

When I started taking pictures (many, many years ago), I took pictures with an SLR and roll film. It has quite a lot of fun, if not also the result was always what I wanted to achieve with my photo. Taking pictures with a roll film always was a bit of an adventure. :)

My best photos I have taken on a trip to Chile. You see the pictures here:

http://liundbelle.blogspot.com/2011/01/roll-film.html#links


This post here has inspired me to unpack my old camera and experiment. I'm curious to see which photos will come of it.

[humbird]

My Pentax ME Super 35 mm was my constant companion from the mid-'80's forward. But it was on a trip to Yellowstone 3 years ago that I was introduced (and finally willing) to try the Canon Rebel XTi.

I fell in love and gently, albeit relunctantly, placed my 35mm and lenses into a storage box. Perhaps it is time to take it out for a spin ;)

I placed one of my favorite pictures taken with the Pentax as the banner of my site -the 'Humbird Lumber' railcar stored out near Blue Lake, CA.

http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com

[crymson]

I've been playing around with film in my holga and blue slim wide angle toy camera for about 2 years now. I love it. It's simple and exhilarating. You never know what you're going to get from the lab when you pick up the film. I hope you had pleasant results with your three rolls. =)

[Liz Ness]

I have a toy, too, but I have yet to take it out for a spin. Now, you've reignited that desire to do so. Thank you!

Also, I appreciate the bit about slowing down. My intention this year is to simplify -- in part, I think, as a way to slow down and smell the roses. Thanks for that reminder, too. =)

[Kirsten]

I'm working on a film photography 52 week project...love! There is just something undeniably beautiful about film images! I think it has something to do with the substance of the whites.

My film blog: http://www.filmfriday2011.wordpress.com

[Lara]

I loved reading this because I had that same "wanna slow down" thing happen to me after Christmas. I actually bought an instamatic...so, so fun. My very first camera was a Polaroid (got it for my 12th birthday) and I just wanted to that instant gratification of the moment thing...I always think of Polaroid as "it is as it was"

Digital can sometimes be "it is as I made it to be", an although that's all well and good in this digital age of art-making, going back to simple can be so therapeutic. Especially when you shoot for a living and get burned out. Trying to avoid that.

Loved your images!
Lara

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38885679@N06/

[Leigh]

OMG! You all give me hope & heart again! Everyone tells me that "film cameras" are totally passe, and I had better get with the new generation or be left in the dust! Well, I purchased a little Canon A2000 digital (taking it to Africa this Feb), but I still dream of my old Canon AE-1. What a dream that was. I loved, loved, LOVED it! When it could no longer be repaired, shimmed, ect., I traded it for a Nikon N-65 with telephoto, wide-angle, etc., but people told me to "get over it!"
I, too, just loved "messing" with my film & settings. I am still totally a novice (every once-in-a-while something serendipitously turned out to be awesome), but I am eager to learn more about anything. So, it appears that you are telling me that I CAN buy film for this Nikon and that I CAN get it developed (somewhere or other?) and that it CAN still be as fun as it once was...is that about the gist of it??? You guys ROCK! Leigh in Sarasota

[Hannah]

I started shooting film again this year, and I've been shooting quite a bit of it. It brings me so much joy. I have a vintage Pentax SLR that I love. I enjoy my Holga too, and have been curious about the Blackbird Fly.

These are from the most recent roll I got back:
http://seekingequipoise.com/2011/01/18/walk-on-a-dewy-morning/
http://seekingequipoise.com/2011/01/21/something-sunny/

[suzie]

I pretty much exclusively shoot film, for me digital photography does not ring the bell. I have a huge collection of film cameras, and I get such a buzz from articles like this and to find others with the same passion!
http://black-eyedangel.blogspot.com/

[angie]

i actually JUST got my first hasselblad and zeiss 2.8/80 lens. i am just GIDDY excited! loved this article.