~For the Love of Film is a collaborative group project of some dear photography friends of mine. We endeavored to start a group where we could share our experiences in film photography. We are on many different levels of the learning curve, and love learning from each other.~
So here it is our second month and I’ve already messed up! One thing that I still need to get used to is waiting.
Waiting on you shot.
Waiting on your film to be developed.
Waiting to see how you did and how you can improve.
I’m not very good at waiting.
Last weekend I spent the most amazing time in New Orleans with my sister and my daughter. We went to New Orleans City Park ( you have to go! ) and I took ONLY my film camera. This was a VERY big step for me. To trust those memories to film. To trust that I had a tiny bit of a clue of what I was doing, so that I had some tangible memories in the end. The entire time I was thinking… THIS will make a great post for this month’s circle! What I completely forgot about was the transit and development time of color film. Last month I submitted at Black and White image that I developed myself. I love the “almost” instant gratification of B&W. With color I am at the mercy of the few film labs that still exist. For those of you reading who are not familiar with modern film photography: Yes, they still do make film. Yes, you can still get it developed. I myself thought this was a thing of the past until a few months ago.
I really thought about not posting this month. My images are nothing spectacular. In fact, they are the first color images I have ever shot. They are taken with my Mamiya 645 Pro, which is a medium format. Shot on Portra 400 with the 80mm 1.9 lens and manual focus (ugh!) As I was considering bowing out of the circle this month, I started thinking about the reason I STARTED shooting film (other than the fact that my good buddy, Michael Foster, made me do it).
It was to try something new.
It was to learn the art.
It was to slow down and enjoy the mistakes and have fun.
So here is me… my new, my mistakes, my art, and my fun:
I was using this first roll to practice my exposures and focus. All subjects were begged by me to stand as still as possible while I fiddled with my manual focus… some were more enthusiastic than others 😉
At the end of the images, please follow the link to Sharon Kain, the next photographer in the circle!
Now follow the circle on to Sharon Kain!
Joyce - This is beautiful Rachel! I am glad you decided to join in this month. You are so right about trying something new and enjoy the mistakes. Love that you put it all in a positive perspective
Kim - Rachel – I’m so impressed with these! I also loved reading your thoughts – I need to print that and post by my computer: slow down, try something new, learn the art, enjoy the mistakes, and HAVE FUN. Very inspiring!!
JennyO - I’m with you with the waiting part – Can’t stand it sometimes! But are you kidding me – these are fantastic. Look at your focus – they are spot on!
Kerry L - Rachel, I’m glad you posted instead of skipping this month! Great job with your manual focus – it’s definitely slower than digital. ;). The first 4 images of the father & son are precious – I’m sure they loved them!
Lisa Benemelis - Rachel, these are all beautiful. I loved reading your thoughts and like Kim, need to print and remind myself of this daily. Thank you for sharing your art.
Stacey - So impressed by these! The focus is amazing. I’m practicing with manual focus and still haven’t got the hang of it. Inspiring!
sharon - Rachel!!! I’m so glad you decided to post. I think these are pretty spectacular for your first shots with color film AND manual focus!!! Love his expression on the last one – pure torture at having to sit still for you LOL!!!
Michael Foster - Made you do it, huh? Guilty as charged. 😉
Shelley - Rachel, I too am glad you posted and shared you early work. I think it is wonderful. Plus it is realistic and inspirational for those of us wanting to put our toes into the water of the film world. Thank you! P.S. I think these are wonderful!