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Is it just me, or did time altogether skip August? It's already about to be September, and everything is about to transition to fall. It's funny how time flies, right? How's life been with everyone? Projects, creativity, etc. - finding the right inspiration and tools can be a fun challenge. As for myself, lately, I've been shooting most of my color-related jobs with Kodak Ektachrome 100, and it's quickly become my new favorite color film stock. Have any of you discovered/created any new looks for others or yourself recently? With the resurgence of film photography, it's an exciting time to explore and experiment. Speaking as part of the new film wave, I sometimes feel a twinge of envy for those who had the chance to shoot with all the incredible slide film options offered in the '90s and early 2000s. We need some options, too, lol. (Perchance (😂) if anyone from Kodak reads this, can you produce more slide film? Anything similar to the low-iso Kodachrome look would be ideal for just about everyone.)
But seriously, working with color-positive film has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience over the last few months. There's something unique about the look of slide film in the final results that can't be replicated, which is perfect if you want a look or style to stand out in a frame.
While working with slide film can lead to standout results, the path there is filled with creativity, adaptability, and sometimes even a touch of unexpected humor. Let me share a recent blooper I had with black & white film. Like most professional film photographers, I keep a reserve of film on hand for jobs, test shoots, etc., stored safely in a refrigerator. One week, as I was testing out ideas for an upcoming photoshoot, inspiration struck me in the evening. The light was perfect outside, and an idea downloaded into my mind that I just had to try immediately. Without any spare rolls lying around, I reached into my fridge stash, loaded up, and began to shoot.
Usually, you'd wait for the film to reach room temperature, but impatience got the better of me. I thought, it's just a test and 'the film wasn't frozen; it was just chilling on the fruit shelf. How cold could it be?' Well, let's just say that shooting immediately with cold film — whether from the fridge or out on a chilly winter location — can lead to unexpected results without proper procedure. The fogging caused by the temperature contrast was something else, to say the least! I've even drawn in green to show how the cold affected areas with fogging. Check out how streaky those rolls turned out; yikes. But it's a valuable lesson. Especially with the colder months approaching and the pursuit of those perfect shots, you'll have to be cautious of where and how you store your film out on location. I've never shot professionally in the snow, but I want to get out there and do something innovative this year.
As summer gives way to autumn, these final weeks are a time for reflection, experimentation, and anticipation of what's to come. With new ideas and projects on the horizon and a continual drive to push my boundaries with film photography, I'm embracing this transitional period as a chance to evolve and grow.
I encourage you to reflect on your own stories and learn from your experiences, both the triumphs and missteps. The beauty of our creative community is not only in the art we produce but also in the journeys we take to get there. Whether through collaboration with like-minded creatives, forging a path with clients that align with your vision, or simply embracing a solitary exploration of your artistic boundaries, there's a wealth of knowledge and insight to be gained.
We all share this passion for creativity, this drive to push beyond the ordinary, and the courage to face the challenges that come our way. So take a moment to consider what you're really doing, where you're headed, what excites you, what scares you, and what challenges you. Embrace the complexity, and the excitement, of it all. Through this introspection, we often discover the most profound insights and inspirations. As we all head into a new season of possibilities, let's make the most of it and grow together in our shared pursuit of excellence.
❤️🔥🌊🌙
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