Last weekend I was in Heidelberg in Germany visiting family. I had packed two cameras in addition to my phone, my dSLR and my Minolta SRT 100x, but didn’t touch my dSLR all weekend, because Heidelberg’s many Christmas markets, the lights, the atmosphere, smells, colours and sounds, were the perfect subjects to capture on 35mm film with my Minolta.
Santa was everywhere, and each market had its own merry-go-round or ice rink or children’s train…
…you could get all sorts of different things to eat and drink; glühwein (mulled wine), flammkuchen (sort of a pizza), sausages, lamb, gingerbread and zuckerwatte (spun sugar)…
And when you tired of the crowds and the noise, you could head down a side street and take in the peaceful side of Christmas.
The light was never particularly good. Fortunately 35mm film is so forgiving – especially if you’re like me not too concerned with perfect exposure – that I managed well with a shutter speed of 1/60, varying the aperture between f/2 at night and f/5,6 in overcast weather in daytime. I have a light meter app on my phone but rarely bothered to use it, so the results are slightly overexposed during daytime and slightly underexposed at night – but that’s all part of the charm of film in my opinion.
Don’t forget that Cara and I are giving away a Photojojo giftcard for the value of USD 30. It’s not too late to comment on Cara’s post for a chance to win if you haven’t already done so!
The same goes for any of our other giveaways – leave a comment on any of the giveaway posts before 12 midnight EST on December 23rd for a winning chance (one comment per post, please). We’ll announce all the winners on December 25th!
~Happy Holidays from Jenny.
I know medium format is the business, but my non-polaroid film cameras are 35mm so that’s what I shoot, and I love it. And it’s so nice to see it getting it’s own feature here.
You had me at that first beautiful diptych. I feel like film helps you “feel” the images more somehow.
These images are lovely! I’m getting inspired to get out one of my old cameras, buy some 35mm, and give it a go again!
Wonderful christmassy post!
I love the shot of the stall selling gingerbread hearts.
Yay for 35mm!
Oh, these are gorgeous! When I was about 10, my parents took me to Europe, and we were in Germany right before Christmas. I remember the markets felt like magic to me. Thank you for bringing me back. The film gives it an especially nostalgic feel for me.
I just want to add that I recently acquired a medium format camera, and I’ve been focusing on learning to use that, but you put me right back in the mood for 35mm. I’m loading up a camera.
Love the mood and the feel of this post… Makes me feel warm and smily, thank you <3
These are lovely…looking forward to some film time during my holiday break!
home.
Love to get a little bit of German Christmas feel when being on the other side of the world. Thank you.