Advice, Gear, Photography

Is Film Dead?

Pigeons rats with wings---Buffalo, New York. This photo was made when I was the summer intern in the photo dept at the Buffalo News, Western NY largest newspaper. The lines are telephone lines against a giant grain silo. I watched with fascination how the shadows on the curved surface resembled sheet music. As I got impatient for the birds to do something, I decided to clap loudly. Violá
Pigeons rats with wings—Buffalo, New York. This photo was made when I was the summer intern in the photo dept at the Buffalo News, Western NY largest newspaper. The lines are telephone lines against a giant grain silo. I watched with fascination how the shadows on the curved surface resembled sheet music. As I got impatient for the birds to do something, I decided to clap loudly. Violá!

I recently received a challenge from a FB buddy, Sehlem Sebik, whom I’ve never met, to post 5 black and white pictures, one-a-day.

I decided I’d dig out some old BW negatives instead of just converting what I have in my digital archives into grayscale.

This was a worthwhile challenge.

Mr. Lee a gregarious cobbler smiles at me in his narrow alleyway in Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tri X ISO 400 Canon F-1. 28mm lens.
Mr. Lee a gregarious cobbler smiles at me in his narrow alleyway in Tsimshatsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Tri X ISO 400 Canon F-1. 28mm lens.

It gave me an opportunity to take stock of what I pointed my cameras at when I started my formal education at Kent State University.

If it isn’t obvious to you, I didn’t pay as close attention to lighting as I do now.

That’s only natural because back then I was strictly an available light photographer.

My cat Tofu captured on 2 1/4 TriX with a Hasselblad 80mm lens. This is really overkill but my cats are all very special to me. So nothing but the best! They are family, after all.
My cat Tofu captured on 2 1/4 TriX with a Hasselblad 80mm lens. This is really overkill but my cats are all very special to me. So nothing but the best! They are family, after all.

Not knowing how to light meant I couldn’t visualize a scene any other way.

Now that I know how to light, I can visualize my scene exactly how I want it because I decide where the highlights and shadows will be.

Exactly how hard or soft the shadows are, I decide by my light placement or the light modifiers I use.

Is Shooting Film Necessary?

Trek to Havasupai Indian Reservation--The mule train which carries campers gear to the campgrounds passed us by about 1/2 way through our 4 hour hike. Canon F-1 20 mm lens
Trek to Havasupai Indian Reservation–The mule train which carries campers gear to the campgrounds passed us by about 1/2 way through our 4 hour hike. Canon F-1 20 mm lens

To become a better photographer, is it necessary to shoot film?

I have no real easy answer to this other than to base my response on my own experience.

I believe it helps to shoot film at some point in a beginner’s learning curve.

The one major reason is the cost per frame of film.

The Hare Krishna temple in New Vrindaban in the early hours of the morning in West Virginia.
The Hare Krishna temple in New Vrindaban in the early hours of the morning in West Virginia.

Except for those instances when you expose the same frame multiple times intentionally, you have a finite number of shots you can make in a roll–36, 24 or 12.

This forces you to be more selective and thoughtful before you push the shutter button.

You don’t mindlessly fire away.

You take a moment to check your meter, your ISO, shutter speed and aperture settings then study each corner of your viewfinder before pushing the shutter button.

Also, because you’re never entirely sure you have the shot, you learn very quickly those specific instances when you have to shoot a lot.

You become very good at anticipating potentially problematic situations which you have little or no control so that you actually will shoot many, many frames or exposures during those critical times.

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Peter Phun Photography

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