I’ve been a photographer for a few decades. My love affair with photography began in high school. It started with my first Canon Rebel series 35mm camera and Kodak disposable cameras. I cut my teeth on that entry-level film camera and simple point-and-shoots. I loved being able to take my ideas and see them in print. Each visit to our local Winn-Dixie’s one-hour photo lab filled me with joyful anticipation. There was just something magical about film development.
I read this with a smile on my face. We have forgotten the joy of the process.
The new things we learn by going through the process whether it is photography, mastering a new recipe or crocheting a blanket that will bring warmth & comfort. Sometimes going through the process is more fulfilling than the end result!!!
That Pentax K1000 is a workhorse, built like a tank and basically forces you to think before every shot. The delayed gratification angle really nails what's missing from instant digital review loops. When I shot film regularly, the gap between taking a photo and seeing the result created this necessary distance that let me seperate the act of shooting from evaluating what worked. Now with digital, that instant feedback loop can be paralyzing, constantly second-guessing instead of just moving forward. The imperfect-but-good-enough aesthetic of film is freeing too, takes away the temptation to pixel peep evrything into oblivion.
Great post, Stan. Photography is also one of my favorites mediums and one that we often take for granted in terms of how far the tech has come. At this point, though, I think it's the only analog medium in media production I'd care to implement at this point. Imagine trying to record a video on film? Or recording a music demo on a reel to reel?! No friggin thanks. That Pentax is a relic and should always remind you of the art and how far it's come even in the last 50 or so years.
What memories this brings. I also have an old Pentax film camera with a light meter. Took many photos with that one. We bought a Canon Rebel digital camera to take to Ireland in 2006. It was an 8 mp camera but we got beautiful photos that we will cherish forever. Unfortunately the cf card slot connection quit working and now it is useless. I now use my iPhone just like you. Thanks for taking me down memory lane! Love and Hugs!!
I read this with a smile on my face. We have forgotten the joy of the process.
The new things we learn by going through the process whether it is photography, mastering a new recipe or crocheting a blanket that will bring warmth & comfort. Sometimes going through the process is more fulfilling than the end result!!!
The
I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes it’s just fun to figure stuff out
That Pentax K1000 is a workhorse, built like a tank and basically forces you to think before every shot. The delayed gratification angle really nails what's missing from instant digital review loops. When I shot film regularly, the gap between taking a photo and seeing the result created this necessary distance that let me seperate the act of shooting from evaluating what worked. Now with digital, that instant feedback loop can be paralyzing, constantly second-guessing instead of just moving forward. The imperfect-but-good-enough aesthetic of film is freeing too, takes away the temptation to pixel peep evrything into oblivion.
Ain’t that the truth. I take a lot of studio macro shots of animals and everything has to be sharp and perfectly lit and film has been freeing haha
Great post, Stan. Photography is also one of my favorites mediums and one that we often take for granted in terms of how far the tech has come. At this point, though, I think it's the only analog medium in media production I'd care to implement at this point. Imagine trying to record a video on film? Or recording a music demo on a reel to reel?! No friggin thanks. That Pentax is a relic and should always remind you of the art and how far it's come even in the last 50 or so years.
Dude I had that exact thought yesterday actually about not wanting to do any other analog process and it blows my mind movies were shot on film
What memories this brings. I also have an old Pentax film camera with a light meter. Took many photos with that one. We bought a Canon Rebel digital camera to take to Ireland in 2006. It was an 8 mp camera but we got beautiful photos that we will cherish forever. Unfortunately the cf card slot connection quit working and now it is useless. I now use my iPhone just like you. Thanks for taking me down memory lane! Love and Hugs!!
Oh yea man I always say use what you got and iPhones are good too haha
I found some rolls of film when my wife and I were cleaning up. The mystery is upon us! What will be on that film?
The pictures you took look fantastic!
I have one of a tree frog that I’ll send send you. I captured it just outside on my patio a few years ago!
Mystery rolls are the best, I found one a few years ago and it was just blurry salamanders hahaha