Canon EOS 3 \\ Kodak Ektar *
I consider myself very lucky to be able to meet up with this family on their California vacation once a year. I always leave so inspired and have a lovely time making photographs with them. This time, knowing the mom to be up for anything, I asked if she would be willing to have me shoot only film at their session. And she said yes.
Armed with eight rolls of Kodak Ektar and a new to me Canon EOS 3, I started up the session with shaky uncomfortable fingers. I took my time deciding what to shoot, and only let myself fire off 1 shot per “setup”. (I broke my own rule 2-3 times when it was called for.) Having to stop to load a roll of film felt very disrupting and not having the safety net of a few shots fired off anytime I SAW something felt very scary. But quickly, it didn’t. I fell into the groove. Knowing this was an experiment for me, they were patient as I fumbled with rolls of film, and waited for the right moments.
I was shocked and relieved when I saw the results. Out of the eight rolls, I only had to trash about five images. I LOVED the tones and feel of the rest of the photos. Not only that, the best part was: I. DIDN’T. HAVE. TO. SPEND. FOUR. HOURS. EDITING. THESE. FILES. (The black and white images were the only ones edited in Photoshop with my black and white action.) It was like the biggest party ever getting the scans back and sharing with my client, without having to do any work on the computer.
I am not sure that I am ready to go full film on all of my clients, but this experiment was definitely a success.
You can see their session from 2012 here.
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Tara
Nicely done.. if we ever get to CA ( hopefully one day ) I am totally going to have you shoot my family… 1. cause I love your work, 2 cause I just really want to meet you..
Wow! the clarity is amazing. is it really that much of a difference? I would have never imagined. So much detail. These are beautiful and it’s amazing that you only had to throw 5 images out and that there’s no editing..
Wow. Maybe I should play with some film too.
Did you scan them to your computer? Was that a pain?
Your images are beautiful as always. Is your film camera full manual or does it do some things for you? Like focus? My old Minolta was full manual…and I would NO WAY be able to shoot like this. You are an fantastic photographer, Tara!!
Mind blown.
Delicious! My eyes thank you. What a treat to see color like this.
you and film are a match made in heaven. I would love to see more of these!
That’s awesome!!! And you did fantastic. The tones are lovely. I can only imagine that joy of no editing.
amazing. absolutely gorgeous.
Love. It. So gorgeous, Tara! If you ask me, not a thing was lost in this switch to film. xo.
I am dying right now. These are AMAZING! *fist bump*
tara, omg!! these are ridiculous. you done goooood, woman.
Wow, as someone who has followed your work for a few years, this session really evoked emotion, and every shot is simply beautiful! Lovely film images!!
Amazingly beautiful!
ugh. these are beautiful… all of them. But the 1st three landscape images make me hate you lilbit. :)
XO
Shooting with film is SO intimidating to me…I’m super impressed with these photos. I always love it when you post!
Holy crap! Amazing!!!!
You’re a freaking rock star! These shots are gorgeous. So cool.
I just died a little. These pictures are true treasures. They are SO you! Thank you for sharing them with us. :)
You had me a film. I love these. I do miss the days of film and editing only with a crop guide and a wax pencil. Oh, the good ole’ days. Did I mention these are wonderful? Hope to see more.
i am gaga for these. wow!
Hi Tara,
I have read your blog for years, and I am a huge fan of your work. Your photos really “talk” I usually love them. But for me these were wonderful but did not have that same POP that your pics usually have. I feel they are a little grainy and that makes me lose focus. Just keeping it real. What ever magic you work on your digital stuff, is just that, pure magic, and it comes through each and every time. Some of your photos have made me laugh and cry they are that good, probably why I still follow you after all these years! Always waiting for that special photo to touch my soul!
These are crazy good. And on a new-to-you eos 3? YOU ROCKED IT. please keep shooting film. Loving this ektar, I just ordered some for the first time a few days ago. Can’t wait to try it out.
wow… truly amazing. really beautiful work.
Wow. Am-a-zing light. And the eyes on this family!!! Holy cats!
-Mare
Nice capture for a first timer. Keep it up!
Did you have the film processed professionally? If so, was it a local place to you or did you send the film away? I’ve noticed since digital came onto the scene, getting my film developed is a challenge (at least trying to find one that will develop it correctly).
You caught the beauty of film, taking time & care to look for the right shot. I love the graininess of film and what you mentioned, you don’t have to edit every single shot! You’ve inspired me to get out my film camera and shoot away!
Amazing. Such beautiful shots & un-edited – even more impressive. You are my favorite.