Club for Film Photographers

I feel like film photographers should have some sort of club. And when you're officially allowed to join it's like a school graduation.

"Yay! I can do it! I have something in common with these awesome photographers!"

I feel like it should imply special discounts, extra recognition, and instant friendship.

I guess that's as ridiculous as expecting to be accepted and liked by someone else because you're the same race.

Either way, I feel like I'm breaking into some sort of secret club. And I can't wait until I start feeling the perks, meeting the other members, and fully coming into my own as an honorary member.

I also feel like I need a new camera.

My bank doesn't support this cause. Neither do the other things needed that have been on the back burner. It also isn't an emergency even if I do feel like if I don't get something new I could die.

If there's anything I've learned it's that no matter the camera, it won't make your pictures any better. Too bad, because if I could buy a magical, awesome, do it all camera, I might. I might get one and then quickly discard it because I've grown to appreciate all my mistakes along the way. They're happy accidents. Maybe my start in toy photography taught me the skill (possibly seen as a flaw) of loving and accepting something that isn't perfect.

In my class I've noticed that everyone else constantly has the goal of perfection. They're angry at strange shadows, light leaks, a little bit of blur, the tiniest shade anomaly. Maybe that should be my goal because they're all much better than I am but I can't help but attach a little bit of love to the first messy couple of prints or test strips I make of a picture.

I'm still formulating ideas for what's supposed to be my first artistic photography series so I'll catch you up when I get there.

If anyone is in the San Francisco/Bay Area area and wants to volunteer as models, let me know!

Night

My first attempt at night photography.

I wouldn't call it hugely successful but a picture did come out. I was mostly testing out a new tripod that I haven't really used since.

This summer I hope to take a lot more pictures than I have been so far. Money is tight so development is a stretch. I've ditched where I used to go for my 120 film to a place that is a little more inconvenient in location but will hopefully be better in communication.

I just finished my Black & White I class at Rayko and I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot and I hope to continue understanding and using the skills in the next level of classes.

Cheers to bigger and better things, here's to hoping it translates to the greater part of my life!

Chemical Magic

World,

Are you ready?

It sounds a little crazy but... the high have of my day, my week, my month, hell maybe even my year has been tonight.

Tonight for the first time I printed the pictures I processed.

It's an indescribable feeling to see your images, your vision, your work and your effort come into fruition with a few shakes of a canister, some sizing adjustments, and a couple agitations.

This is my contact sheet from my first roll processed. Take note of the light leaks that start about mid-way. I don't QUITE know what it was, but I have a strong feeling it was because while winding I sort of broke the camera winder. I hope that's all it was (I've fixed it since then). I have to develop another roll to be sure and/or determine if I just have a broken camera. I'll consider it a happy accident for now given that no awesome pictures were ruined.

And now....

Are you ready for it?

I couldn't even contain myself during class. Laughing at my dog over and over everytime I looked at it.

World, welcome my very first completely processed and printed picture by me: Sydney

I am absolutely breathless with anticipation for the possibilities of what can be created. For the magic.

All Aflash and Aglow and Full of Wonder -- Spinning

(Diana, Barcelona, Spain)

This morning, on a complete high from last night's film processing excitement, all I could think about was film, film, film. I felt like I was... happy. Strange, I know. I felt like throwing a parade. And everyone who knows me knows that there is little more that I love more than a parade.

Work brought crashing back down to earth just a little though.

But I refuse to let it bring me down too much.

Future photography plans:

• Take as many photographs today and tomorrow as possible.
• Get some practice processing Wednesday or Thursday
• Take even more pictures over the weekend! (Camping!)
• Try to fit in processing them on Monday before class.
• Finish my B&W I class

I'm currently debating whether I should take B&W II next, and further develop (ha ha, develop) this skill set before I move on, or if I should take Color I, where I know I'll ultimately head.

I am absolutely enthralled. Which is new for me. New, different, and such a good thing. A breath of fresh air.

Grappling in the Dark

Today I completely processed, on my own, my very first roll of film.

This is a big deal for me.

First off, I processed black &white 35mm.

I am overwhelmingly proud of myself and unquantifiably excited. It's like a whole new world has opened up!

I can't wait to shoot off just about  half a million pictures in the next month that I get full lab access.

Growing. That's what I'm doing. Learning.