Sunday, January 11, 2009

reject technology: shoot film

there is something deeply gratifying about dropping off film to a lab and having no idea what will come back. it's a total surprise.

i have always liked surprises. i was never the kid that wen poking around in closets or shaking boxes before christmas hoping to find out ahead of time what i was getting. i much prefer suspense. it's much more rewarding.

so sometimes i feel the same way about photography. yes, i am old enough to "remember" film... it's what i first learned on. 35mm, of course, but two years ago i began shooting medium format on a holga that i got for christmas (which was a surprise — surprise!).

it's an on again, off again kind of thing. because yes, digital really is a lot more economical. but if i'm going on a big trip or just want to cut loose and not be a journalist for a bit, i use film.

and so in thailand, i shot a fair amount with my holga. then in the fall i had the privilege of borrowing a rolleiflex, which is a beautiful old medium format camera.

anyhow, though scanning negatives is a slow and arduous process, here's one of a batch i finished scanning the other day. for more, click here.

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