Out of 36 images on a roll of film I’m happy if there is one shot that I absolutely love. When I see that a new roll has been uploaded by the lab I use, i’m excited to look them over. To see my results. Hoping that the images were exposed correctly, that they are in focus. More than that I am looking for images that were the reason I took my camera out in the first place. Every time hoping to create something that resembled art. An image that was more than a snapshot. I’ve learned that if there is one image per roll of film, that I absolutely love, I am happy.
Something I love about film is that I feel more purposeful. I have 36 frames to fill. I take my time, knowing that the image is immortalized on the negative. I can’t selectively delete it. Make it disappear, as if it hadn’t happened. That difference is significant. It changes the way I shoot, the time I take to frame, focus and choose the perfect settings for that moment in time.
Digital is more forgiving. Images deleted by the 100’s, never to be seen again. Not worrying about the cost of creating many images of the same thing. The cost is for the equipment only. No processing fees, no film to buy. A benefit is that you can experiment more and learn in the moment. If it works, you know right away.
That one image, the keeper, the one that I show to friends, family and those that come across it on my social media platform of choice. An image that I'm proud to show off. That is the goal. Lately it has been at least one per roll. Sometimes more, but at least one is that image.
The above shot is one of those shots. This was taken at the Taos Pueblo. A bucket list image for me. A location i’ve wanted to shoot for years. The shadow of the ladder on the wall, the texture of the wall and the wood of the ladder. It all lined up for me.
Standing by a lake in the Sierra’s this scene presented itself. The angle of the log, the reflection in the water. The rock, adding to the scene. The bleached out color of the log prominent in the image.
The angles in this image are off a bit but that is why I love it. The reflection of the pole on the roof. The angle of the actual poll, seeming not quite right. The window frame and dark panes. The texture of the wood, weathered and battered over time. The minute I saw this image I fell in love with it.
Three different images from three different rolls of film. Each one is that one image for me. The one image that made it worthwhile to have traveled to that spot with my camera to make images. Images that remind me of why I make images. I see things in a way that is unique to me. I strive to capture that and then figure out a way to explain what I see through these images by sharing them. A glimmer of hope that may bring some emotion or positive reaction to someone somewhere. A glimpse into my mind, heart, soul, through my images.
Till next time,
John