The Photography Experience
BY GYAN SREEJIT '27 & NATE KIM '27
Ask a parent or grandparent, “are there any film cameras around?” Chances are, they have one collecting dust in the attic, waiting for you to capture precious memories. The subject of film photography might seem remote and challenging, but after reading our article, your camera will be your next best friend, for life!
What is Film? For most people, taking photos to capture memories has become ingrained into our daily lives. However, long before cell phone captured images, people took photos using film photography. It is essentially the same as taking a photo digitally. However, there are two main differences: visualization and development. When using a film camera, you won’t be able to see the images you capture right away, and similarly, it takes a long time to develop and process these photos until they reach a point when you can see them. Depending on where you process your photos, it can take anywhere from an hour to several days to develop them. Unfortunately, the process of developing, enlarging, and copying photos usually costs a fortune, but thanks to Mr. Martin and the wonderful visual arts team at AB, developing black-and-white films and other processes is completely free of charge for students. Why Film? Because of these drawbacks, you might wonder, “why film instead of digital?” Well, the answer lies inside. Taking photos has become a staple in our day-to-day life, and we have stopped appreciating the magic of capturing any moment. When you can instantaneously see your photograph, the image does not impact you significantly as you can experience the same scene by simply lifting your head. However, when you encounter the forgotten excitement that drove you to capture that moment, you finally understand the beauty of film photography. With thirty-six available shots to represent a segment of your life, rather than thousands, you will find delicate purpose and intention in every bit of your grainy pictures. Interview with Mr. Martin, the photography elective teacher at AB. Q: How did you get into film photography? A: I carried a little camera around in fifth grade, and my father would have the film developed for me and I thought it was fascinating. I think in ninth grade I took my first film photo class. Q: What was your first film photography experience like? (your first roll of film). A: I don't remember... but it was probably blurry and overexposed. Q: Why do you take film photography? A: For the quality of the images, but I'm also not in a hurry. Until recently, I was reverse-processing my negatives into black and white positive slides. It was the longest process ever and the lab that was doing it for me would usually take four months. So, when I finally see the images I see them with very fresh eyes. Diane Arbus said that every photo is different than you expect- they're either better or worse. She was talking about the film and that delay between shooting and seeing it as a picture. I like that part and don't like seeing photos immediately on a small screen. And I like taking fewer pictures and making the process slow and more deliberate. Q: How much does it cost to maintain the film photography lifestyle? A: Ha! It's funny that it is a lifestyle. It depends on your film-developing options. People often develop films at home and there are a lot of small companies making really good films. Q: What camera do you recommend for beginners and what is your film camera? A: [I recommend] any simple single-lens reflex camera. Don't get caught up in gear. Learn to use your aperture and shutter speed settings. My film camera is a Nikon N80, and it is named Timothy. The last ten rolls of film that I shot with Timothy were color 800ASA low-light shots. Timothy is at least twenty-five years old, and I like that film cameras don't age like digital cameras. Q: Is photography the type of art in which one can jump straight in, or are there recommended prerequisites one should undertake? A: Anyone can jump in! Q: What might be challenging for a beginner, and how can they overcome it? A: The technical aspect can be challenging, so it can initially seem complex. But someone who is more intuitive and experimental should feel free…And there are great photographers shooting with plastic cameras and great photographers shooting with infinitely complex gear. Q: Can AB students borrow the school's camera? A: Yes! While there are many aspects to taking the “perfect” photo, the most important thing is experimentation. Art, and more specifically Photography, is subjective, meaning each person views the image differently. It is important to create photos that you perceive as good, despite what anybody else says. To accomplish this, it is best to understand the camera’s three key components: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. To summarize, the ISO (often called exposure) determines how much light is taken in by the camera, the shutter speed determines how long the camera lens opens and how long of light is taken in by the camera, and the aperture is the size of the opening of your lens and adjusts the depth of field.
Fun Facts About Film Photography
In conclusion, the film photography experience is deeper than just taking pictures. It requires patience, skill, and appreciation for the artistic aspect of photography, and the challenge of developing, managing light and composition, and tactile engagement with the equipment contribute to the rich and emotional encounter. Beyond the prints, film photography connects people through the timeless aesthetic it offers. One goal we hope to achieve by writing this article is connecting people in ways they would not have before reading this. Now stand up and jump into the adventures that await! |