I was watching this live webcast by camera ventures about saving analog cameras. Click the link if you'd like to read about it or perhaps watch the recorded webcast. I filled this form out quite awhile ago in order to help with the research they were doing. It wasn't until i watched the video and heard Bellamy hunt (AKA japancamerahunter) say, We as a community need to do our part in order to help create a better market. Here i am thinking that because i have a few film cameras and buy film that I'm supporting the market of film. Although i am supporting it, It's not enough. We need to do more. We need to be more proactive about talking film and everything that has to do with film. We also need to figure out new ways of appealing to the newer generation.
Omak Stampede Washington state.
I wish i could say i started film Ten, twenty, or thirty years ago, but its not completely true. Well I suppose you could say that i was born and grew up before the digital age hit. I do remember having tons of disposable cameras as a youth. I brought them everywhere with me, especially on family vacations. I do remember my parents having a polaroid SX-70 at home and i got to use it maybe a handful of times. Other than that, i dont remember my parents on any of my family that carried an SLR or something of that sort. It was primarily point and shoot cameras. That was the extent of my film experience. Fast forward to 2014, What does someone that is completely clueless about film and film cameras do when he wants to try out film? Buy a hasselblad 501c of course. (Yes i jumped in to the higher end film cameras first dont judge me) I did do some research online so i can't say i jumped into it completely blind. I found a person on Craigslist with a great deal on one with about 30 rolls of 120 film, deals were made and i walked out of the coffee shop as a hasselblad medium format owner. (which i still own today)
My first Film shot with the hasselblad. Yes thats a pizza
Soooo here is my first shot. Of course it's a pizza, more specifically it's a peqouds pizza. If you're from Chicago you know its the only place you go for deep dish. I shot my first image on the hasselblad medium format film camera. I didn't realize at the time that 120mm film was more costly than 35mm film in terms of how many shots you get per roll. Anyways as you can see i probably should have gone with a cheaper method of learning how to shoot film. Theoretically exposing an image is the same as you would with a digital camera. There are slight differences that i learned later on after wasting a few rolls of 120, for example digital you expose for the highlights cause once those are blown out their gone and you can't recover them. Film is the opposite of this, you expose for the shadows cause film can recover highlights very well.
That was the start of it. I could go on about this for days and if you have the time i'll tell you about it sometime. I eventually found my way around the film world and to be honest I'm still learning to this day. There is a lot to learn and it can be overwhelming. It definitely was for me at first. Thats why i wanted to write this blog post up. I want to contribute to the Medium of photography that i fell in love with. I other people to see that there is nothing to be scared of. Just jump into it. you'll probably fail at it. I know i did, but i learned and grew from failing. If you read this blog and want to know anything about film photography or photography in general. Send me a message or give me a call. I'll always make time to teach anyone what i know.
P.S. find a cheaper film camera grab a roll of film and try it out. you never know, you might just love it!