Analog Camera, Digital Pictures

Taken and processed in Analog, Distributed in Digital. Kodak Gold 200 in Superheadz Ultrawide And Slim camera.

It has been over a year since I started this bit of insane quirk -  In the age of immensely efficient, fast processes, I took the counter-intuitive path and went the slow, scenic, time consuming route.

For the past year or so life has gotten quite busy. Like, swamped. That can explain why I don't post entries here as much. Between the day job, the life outside of work and the leisure time behind the camera, I can't say I had dull moments. My pictures as of late have often been tagged #TheOneIFound to refer to my favorite subject. I'm glad that she's supportive of my quirk, so being with her doesn't prevent me from relieving my itching shutter finger -  evident in the hundreds of pictures of her that I posted - to quote one of the bosses in the lab I have my rolls processed, "The most photographed woman in the lab." (I'm taking that as a compliment at face value.)

And that's just for film! Naysayers will probably say that my pictures devolved into snapshots, but good thing it won't bother me as they don't pay me. My quirk is different from my day job.

Taking a picture of someone taking a picture of someone preparing for a picture.
Kodak Gold 200 in Superheadz Ultrawide And Slim camera.

I have a love for film photography, but it isn't something I see doing for a living. It is for me something I hold too personal. The pictures I take are (if they can be be dignified as such) a kind of art exclusive to me. I may not have the prominence, nor fame, but what I can truly say, is that they're an authentic part of me, uncompromising and unaltered by the whims of others - I dare say, untainted. It's created as a piece of me as I expressed it based from where I was and what I had at the time, not as something to please someone who paid me. And that's what I find beautiful about it. The absence of the pressure to meet a standard or convention, or someone's whim, feels liberating! 

Shooting The Capitol Building. Kodak Color Plus In Minolta Alpha 303si

If I involve generating income with this I feel that it becomes another job... It'll involve having the stress of getting the perfect shot, the perfect timing, the perfect pricing, the haggling to absurd prices, and above it all, having to please the client... And it loses the point of it to me.

Don't get me wrong, I know a few professionals and they're stellar at what they do. I admire them for their art, grit, and tenacity for persisting in the craft, and even more so in being able to put up with the ridiculous clients they sometimes face. Mixing business and art is another art of its own that eludes me often.

Stepping Into The Woods.
Kodak Gold 200 in Superheadz Ultrawide And Slim camera.

I'm thankful for having my day job. I won't have to compromise my tastes to please others. Not that I'm being obstinate, but I'd rather change, because I see a better view of things. Not because someone says so.

Sounds kind of crazy, I know. But then again, shooting film in the digital age, somewhat is too. But there's something about it I'm ill-equipped to properly express. It offers an excitement that digital cannot. One that transcends end results and goes beyond clinically-clean and perfect pictures that digital photography offers. The pictures I share digitally, but I have the negatives with me stored in an album and organized by roll. Something that you can't easily do with digital especially when the power is out. I'm grateful for the folks at FilmFolk and Sunny16 Lab for letting me indulge in this quirk conveniently.

Long live film photography! Until next time, everyone! Don't let the fear of getting lost prevent you from stepping out to wander.