I’m not sure exactly when I decided to start experimenting with film, but something inspired me and sparked an interest. There’s just something about the raw, authentic look of film that I love. It’s so different than the images we get from digital cameras and I love different. While I like my images to be fun, fresh and colorful, I also want them to look classic and real, and I think film helps to achieve that look.
As a photographer, my mom used film for almost twenty years and still has most of her equipment, so it was easy for me to get my hands on a Canon 35mm film camera. It’s almost 32 years old (my mom bought it the fall before she got married…flash and camera were $300!) and still works! I’m convinced it’s not working 100% the way it should, but it has functioning buttons and produces images. This 35mm is by no means a high-end professional camera, but it’s a great starting point for my experimentation. I’ve been pretty impressed with my manual focus and exposure skills so far and I’m excited to continue my practice!
If I continue down this path and improve my film skills, I may opt to add film shooting into my business. I don’t think I’ll be switching over to 100% film because there are so many advantages to the digital world, but I definitely like the idea of adapting my overall style and offering some film as part of my packages. We’ll see…it’s definitely intriguing, but will be quite an adjustment!
So here’s a look at some of my first rolls of film with the old 35mm camera. I got some really great practice during my trip north for Rachel and David’s wedding. First my sister and I went to Boston, then Portland, Freeport and Kennebunk, ME…
Pretty good exposure and focus, right?? I’m pretty proud of that. 🙂
Great night shot on film!
I love the vibrant colors I got from the various shops in Portland. Wasn’t expecting that out of the film camera!
Picture on the left = not so great. Obviously I still need practice. 🙂
I also shot some black and white…
This was right outside the L.L. Bean’s flagship store area in Freeport, ME. Very cool area!
Kennebunk, ME was the quintessential New England town. Harbor area with tons of boats, old wooden docks, small shops, beautiful older homes…
Check back tomorrow for the film I shot during Rachel and David‘s and Genesis and Daniel’s weddings!
Scenes and thoughts from deep creek
Well hey now! I thought for sure it had been more than seven months since I blogged last! Wish I could do it more…and plan to as soon as the new JFP website comes out.
I’m not sure I’m starting anything consistent here, just sharing some random thoughts and scenes from Deep Creek on this random Wednesday…
- Dani
Jessica is amazing and she made us feel so comfortable! Having her capture our wedding was like having my best friend with me for every moment! Jessica's photos are fun, whimsical, and sophisticated!
We are not a stoic couple and did not want posed (or trying-too-hard) photos! Jessica was able to capture our personalities and the elegance of the day! I can't stop looking at our photos!
- Jessica and brandon
The best decision I could have made for my wedding was hiring Jessica Fike as a photographer! I was in a wedding prior that she was a photographer for and seeing how organized and easy and strategic she was to work with is what convinced me! She makes you feel so comfortable and helps teach you how to pose and smile and look so natural! She keeps you on schedule throughout your day and captures so much emotion in her photos. She is worth every penny plus more!
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I have a cousin who teaches photography at WVU. She still shoots film and works in the dark room. She fully believes it’s coming back in a big way and she loves the art form.
I’ll stick with my digital for a bit longer. 😉
I remember when she bought that camera. A friend said to buy a SRL. I had no idea what that meant, and I still do not know just how significant that is. I think it means “single reflex lens.” As you can see, I know nothing about a camera. When we were in NY, a clerk offered her $800 for it. That was, I think in the 70’s. Does a camera increase in value with age?
[…] I shared film scans from some of my first rolls of film. Today, I’m still sharing some of those first rolls, but […]
[…] I started a little journey with film this summer and I’m slowly continuing to practice. Unfortunately, I don’t shoot with the film camera too often because honestly, trying to use three cameras at once is too much to handle sometimes (I run two cameras at weddings)! I’m also realizing that the 31-year old 35mm film camera from my mom just isn’t producing quality images. Of course during my exploratory and practice stage, it’s totally fine, but if I really want to get serious about film and offer it to clients, I’m going to have to invest in a better camera. I’ll try to decide whether or not to spend that money during the off season, but for now, let’s check out Kristen and Andrew’s wedding in film… […]