One word: JOY!
I have been shooting film again now for about 6 weeks. it has become almost second nature again. I’m enjoying the ins and the outs and the occasional need to repair, maintain or simply fix my equipment. I’m enjoying the speed at which I am shooting. I’m enjoying the infrequency of tripping the shutter, the feeling of “knowing” that the shot was achieved without the need to stare at a mini facsimile on the back of the camera, only to be disappointed by what I am seeing.
Sunrise Through the Grass (Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex, Ilford HP5 Plus - X-Tol)
I have begun construction on a new darkroom. For years back in the late 90s and early 00s I had a darkroom of sorts, no matter where I lived. Whether in a bathroom or in a storage room off of the basement, or even in a closet. The digital age obviously put an end to that for me. When I began this quest to begin shooting film cameras again, I had no clue it would lead to the construction of a new darkroom, in the house I own, in a space that though it will be a laundry and utility room, I will have the majority of the space for the magical act of traditional photography. I feel so alive in my photographic pursuits again and I’m so excited to once again have a space to develop and print, though this time it will be the darkroom of a photographer, and not the space of an enthusiast fitting it in to his life.
The Evicted Ones #2. (Zeiss Ikon Ikoflex, Ilford FP4 Plus)
I’m happy to report that I have been out at least twice a week shooting and truly hope to increase the frequency that I will be out. The simple joy of shooting has come back in to my life. There really is nothing more to say. I will keep the blog up to date on my darkroom and my shenanigans regarding film and photography, but for now, I’m just going to enjoy the act of photography again.
Tulips (Nikon F100, Nikkor 50mm F1.4, Ilford HP5 Plus - X-Tol)
Quarantine at the Docks (Nikon F100, Nikkor 50mm 1.4, Ilford HP5 Plus - X-Tol)
My Buddy Paul (Nikon F100, Nikkor 50mm 1.4, Ilford HP5 Plus - X-Tol)