Off To Analogue Jail?
To me, the negative is just the beginning. Sorry.
Gold?
You may have spotted something unusual about the above photo. The eagle eyed amongst you would have noticed the lack of warmth, traditionally delivered with the stock mentioned in the caption, Kodak Gold200. You know, that very well known colour negative film.
Well, how about this one.
That easily recognisable, due to the halation, tungsten-balanced colour negative film. But there's that word again: colour
I can feel the disgust from the purists already. At least from those who's heart hasn't just suddenly cracked. So what the frig is going on.
Film snobbery
I moved to film to slow down, to feel more, to think before snapping. I always enjoyed being out on the streets. Observing moments, hunting moments and capturing moments. The instant kick when you think you caught something unique. A quick glance at the rear screen would bring me straight back down to earth, no problem, back out I go. Then home to Lightroom. That digital image has so much potential, so much to play and experiment with. I loved post-processing. But it was all lacking, I just didn't notice until I grabbed a film camera.
Film is pretty much the same. The wondering, the looking, the joys, the blanks, the mis-fires. A bit of a delay before the photosare received, then to Lightroom. But the process of using a film camera adds so much. This isn't new or un-surprising, I know. I have since tried digital, but it meant little to me. The magic was missing. What did suprise me was how much was gone.
Un-pure
We all know about film vs digital, we’ve heard people like me bang on about it time and time and time again, whatever, you do you. I only repeat it now, as I wanted to stress that Im not primary shooting film for the negatives, the retro vibes, the tones, although, they are bloody good. It's the process that excites me. I'm already conditioned to the crushing disappointment from seeing my photos, it's just more costly now. Both result in me looking at a digital image, that has so much potential, so much to play and experiment with. So I do.
You Do You
I long stopped trying to please others with my photos. If I'm out, I'm looking for the unique, the emotions, people enjoying life. When Im home, I looking at post photos with new eyes. Playing, testing, over cooking and converting to black and white. I love it all.
So why not shoot black and white? I do. Not often. I've trained myself to see scenes in colour. I really struggle to do this at the time, to see in black and white, to know what works (I see many that do not).
It's only after the fact, when taking my time, can I see what does work in mono, well at least to my taste. I imagine with enough practice, I will convert less in post, and shoot more live at the time.
But for now, I'll continue to do what I love, whether exposing film, or clicking in Lightroom. If you're curious, give it a go. Lower those highlights, if you wish, raising ethose shadows, why not. Go from colour to black and white? Fuck it.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Banish me from film if you wish, just as long as you do you.
Laters.
Nothing wrong with experimenting. I’ve always used film, I like not knowing instantly if the shot has worked or not. And however much I would love to be in the darkroom these days it’s not that easy. And you’ve given me an idea, I’ve never converted colour to black and white but I’m sure there are some images that would work really well, so thanks.
Love it, haha. I’ve done it and I’d do it again. Honestly anyone who says they haven’t is probably lying. Particularly if you’re shooting expired color film, converting to b&w can redeem a roll.