Expired Film

Besides my Mamiya 645, I picked up a Canon A1. It's 35mm camera, and is smaller than medium format. This will be nice so that I can carry it in my purse. Also, it will be easier to photograph my kids with it. I had a REALLY old roll of some consumer grade 35mm film (Kodak Gold 200)...I don't know how old it is, I'm guessing more than a decade. I just needed something to make sure the camera functioned okay.

My results are nothing spectacular, but they remind me of pictures from my own childhood, and there is definitely something in the nostalgia factor for me. My son just read that sentence and said, "awww, that's sweet!" I turned and said, "what?" and he said "that it reminds you of your childhood." Yeah, that is pretty sweet. I love looking through old photographs, and the grain definitely gives more texture to my emotion as well as my eyes.

This last one I am so sad my focus fell off of her eye closest to the viewer, and instead on her back eye. I really love the image, especially with all the grain. But, I'm still figuring out manual focus, especially when I open wide and get in close. That is going to be what I need to practice on most.

Snow and Sunshine

Today it is cold. And snowy. Is it snowy where you are? If you are in the same state as me (Utah), you may or may not have snow, depending on where you live. My mom lives about 45 minutes south of me, and though we got over two and half feet of snow at my home (including a snow day from school!) over the last few days, she only got a dusting. What a funny state we live in! It is so geographically diverse, and I can honestly say that I never appreciated its beauty, nor its diversity, until I became an adult.

But days where it is cold and snowy, though beautiful to look at, tend to depress me a little. I prefer a little sun on my face, and warmth in the air. So with that, I thought I'd share a couple pictures of my own little sunshine for today. My little boy is growing up so fast. He follows me around throughout the day, keeping his mama entertained.

These were shot with my Mamiya 645 Pro TL, on Portra 400. I found that on this roll of film, I got a little better at my focus. A welcome surprise!

Until next time!

Film

So, I'm back. 

I've been telling you for a while that I was going to learn film. You already know how that got put on the back-burner with life happening and all. But when I first got my camera, before I actually understood anything about film (ha, I say that like I "get it" all now...I don't), I did take my camera out and take a couple of rolls of film. And then they sat around on top of my dresser for the last two years (or whatever it's been) just staring at me, daring me to send them off. But I was chicken, because I was pretty sure they contained nothing worth developing. I had no faith!

Well, I finally sent them off to be developed and scanned. The people at the lab probably sat around shaking their heads and laughing, in alternating rounds, at this poor, pathetic "photographer" who couldn't get focus right 90% of the time, and exposure was off about 50% of the time. People, I plead the 5th. Film is a whole new ballpark. But I'm learning. I'm learning!! And I wanted to share just a few pictures today that I got back.

These are so old, that my daughter didn't even recognize herself with bangs. Oops! But I love film! I didn't have to do anything to these. Sweet time-saver, yes! 

I will be back soon with more to share!