I’ve written a few blog posts about how the study and practice of photography has taught me how to “see.” For me, the slowing down not only opens the space for reflection but allows a much higher quality experience and product. That’s why I still listen to my music on vinyl (yes they’re still making new music on vinyl) and handwrite my blogs before before I prepare them for the web. Is it the fastest way to go about it? Normally it’s not (and sometimes it is). But I find my thoughts flow much easier and I reveal more of myself when I allow my soul to flow through a fine-tipped nib.
The same goes with photography. I shoot with both digital and analog formats. For me it’s not a question about which is better. I’ll let people debate that question in the numerous forums dedicated to photographers defending their position. For me they both serve their purpose. I appreciate both how quickly I can review, adjust, edit, and deliver photographs (especially for clients) of my digital SLR and also how deliberate I am when loading the film, composing the shot, and developing the negatives on my 1970 Mamiya RB67. Either way, I find that the thought and care I put into the conception of the shot matters much more than what tool I use to make it happen.
For the next 52 weeks I will embark on a journey to celebrate film. Each week I will shoot a roll of film and share the results. I’ll be using different films and different cameras. Some will be portraits, some landscapes, and some conceptual.
Last week I volunteered some time to photograph the Village Green Farm-to-Table Dinner. It was a beautiful time filled with locally grown main and side courses. That night I also met Tizbee and Stephanie who staged for a few shots to show the different types of events for which Village Green can serve as a venue. However, my favorite shot of them was this candid I captured while they were listening to Vera Johnson give a presentation on bees. While the photograph isn’t technically perfect (especially the ghosting caused by the post in front of the camera) I really appreciate the tenderness in which the soon-to-be married couple hold each other.
Image taken with Mamiya RB67 + Fujifilm Acros Neopan 100 and developed in Ilford Ilfosol 3