Film
During a recent streak of nostalgia, I purchased a pristine Minolta Maxxum 700si 35mm film camera body. Although is was manufactured 18 years ago, it looks every bit as modern as my latest DSLR’s, and in fact has more features than my best digital camera.
I feel that I, and photographers in general, have become somewhat “spoiled” by digital photography. No longer do we have to carefully compose each shot with absolute precision, but often go for the “machine gun” approach; the “spray and pray” mentality that if you shoot several hundred photographs in an afternoon, you are bound to get some keepers. Gone are the days when you went out with one or two rolls of 24 exposure film, and just knew that you had to make each capture count.
I have fond memories of my high school photography course thirty-three years ago, and in particular developing my own 35mm film. Film photography made me slow down and think. I liked the tactility of film; I could handle it. I felt involved in its processing; that I was actually “doing” something, and it was in a way that today’s digital can never quite approach.
I prefer the exposure latitude and dynamic range of film, and perhaps it is all in my head, but I personally like the "look" of film images better. They have more depth and soul, in my opinion. When my interest in photography was formed back when I was in my teens, part of the attraction was having pretty pictures to look at, but part of it was also how to make those pictures, and what happens in darkrooms, and most importantly, the thought that goes into taking the shot in the first place.
When I was still shooting with film, I chose the type and speed of film, exposure, how to develop, what chemicals, agitation, temperature, time, etc. The combination of these ingredients made the experience one which was immensely personal, and I was solely responsible for the success or failure of my work. Digital takes much of that craftsmanship away from me. Film photography is a craft, and I fondly recall how it always satisfied my need to be creative.
I am looking forward to returning to shooting film. I don't feel a need to create thousands of mediocre digital images, but would much prefer to take it slow and easy and create a few outstanding analog images. Having said all of that, do I plan to give up my much cherished collection of DSLR’s? Not a chance! Film is just another medium for me to capture the beauty that surrounds me, and it quenches my thirst for the nostalgic. I have ordered some pro-grade colour and b/w film from the USA, as I have discovered that it is next to impossible to locate here in Canada. I will be developing and scanning my own b/w film, and sending the colour rolls out to a pro lab.
Keep checking back to this gallery, as I will be periodically posting new captures from my vintage, much-cherished Minolta 700si 35mm film camera!
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I feel that I, and photographers in general, have become somewhat “spoiled” by digital photography. No longer do we have to carefully compose each shot with absolute precision, but often go for the “machine gun” approach; the “spray and pray” mentality that if you shoot several hundred photographs in an afternoon, you are bound to get some keepers. Gone are the days when you went out with one or two rolls of 24 exposure film, and just knew that you had to make each capture count.
I have fond memories of my high school photography course thirty-three years ago, and in particular developing my own 35mm film. Film photography made me slow down and think. I liked the tactility of film; I could handle it. I felt involved in its processing; that I was actually “doing” something, and it was in a way that today’s digital can never quite approach.
I prefer the exposure latitude and dynamic range of film, and perhaps it is all in my head, but I personally like the "look" of film images better. They have more depth and soul, in my opinion. When my interest in photography was formed back when I was in my teens, part of the attraction was having pretty pictures to look at, but part of it was also how to make those pictures, and what happens in darkrooms, and most importantly, the thought that goes into taking the shot in the first place.
When I was still shooting with film, I chose the type and speed of film, exposure, how to develop, what chemicals, agitation, temperature, time, etc. The combination of these ingredients made the experience one which was immensely personal, and I was solely responsible for the success or failure of my work. Digital takes much of that craftsmanship away from me. Film photography is a craft, and I fondly recall how it always satisfied my need to be creative.
I am looking forward to returning to shooting film. I don't feel a need to create thousands of mediocre digital images, but would much prefer to take it slow and easy and create a few outstanding analog images. Having said all of that, do I plan to give up my much cherished collection of DSLR’s? Not a chance! Film is just another medium for me to capture the beauty that surrounds me, and it quenches my thirst for the nostalgic. I have ordered some pro-grade colour and b/w film from the USA, as I have discovered that it is next to impossible to locate here in Canada. I will be developing and scanning my own b/w film, and sending the colour rolls out to a pro lab.
Keep checking back to this gallery, as I will be periodically posting new captures from my vintage, much-cherished Minolta 700si 35mm film camera!
.