It’s no secret around these parts that I love film. I have deep affection for my other cameras – my trusty DSLR with its fast, sharp glass, my stealthy X100s and my ever-present and ever-useful iPhone – but it’s film that really makes this photographer’s heart skip a beat. I love the unpredictable nature of photographing with film, but most of all I love the irreplacable and impossilbe-to-truly-recreate magical quality of film photographs.
Now, I will shoot film anywhere and any time. It is a rare occasion that I shoot something and don’t think about how it might look on film. There are some subjects, however, that have me reaching in my bag for my film camera, before any of the others or that prompt me to arrange my schedule to be there with film camera(s) in hand. It may be predictable or even cliché, but I’m ok with that. I’m a sucker for capturing nostalgia on film.
Vintage things? Check. I’ll happily load up my car and drive to a small-town classic car show in order to point my Polaroid at beauties like these:
While I was back home visiting in Vancouver last week my sister suggested that we take her kids for a day at the Pacific National Exhibition. I jumped at the chance, not only because I knew we’d have a great time but because it would give me a chance to photograph one of Vancouver’s icons. This wooden roller coaster has stood in this spot since 1958. It played a big role in my childhood and adolescent summers and in those of many kids before and after.
And it’s not just the roller coaster. For me, fairs and midways evoke a sense of nostalgia that begs to be captured on film. Some of the rides may be new but the classic games and cotton candy stands don’t seem to have changed.
Also unchanged? The pure joy of kids enjoying an ice cream cone.
What about you? Are you as compelled as I am to capture your places, things and moments of nostalgia on film, or do you think I’m just a big sap? It’s ok. To each their own. I’ll be over here scouting nearby car shows and country fairs with a film camera or two in hand.
Debra ~ Manifeisty
Ah yes, the joy of waiting for a film to develop. The expectation. It feels like being a child again on your birthday. Or who am I kidding? It feels like my birthday again every year (I love surprises, I’m a big baby ;-))
I have lots of film cameras. The only problem I always face is: which one to choose to take? Which photo with which camera?
I have been thinking of assigning specific projects to each camera, to make it a bit easier to decide for myself. 🙂
Love this shots by the way. So dreamy! I can almost hear the music coming from the carousel.
Karin, I love the idea of assigning each camera a project. My SX-70 is broken at the moment and while I miss it terribly it does lessen the anxiety of choosing which camera to bring/use.
I agree. Whenever their is a fair or carnival or just a day trip, all my cameras are in tote, as I want to have them all for different moments. Thanks for the lovely photos Debra. We have a carnival in town this weekend. I’m heading over there!!
Your work is gorgeous, Veronica. I hope you’ll share your carnival photos in the MM pools!
These are all so beautiful debra! i totally get the sense of nostalgia that each image creates. i love their timeless quality and the joy you received from making them!
Love this post, Debra. It’s definitely a nostalgic thing for me and even more so when we get to beaches, where I seem to shoot most of my polaroids.
Beautiful! Love that first car shot so much.
Yes x 100! I started up with film again on my families old 60’s era Nikkormat and unwittingly began a project shooting portraits of the local vernacular architecture, fast-disappearing modest farmhouses, ramblers and colonials, on film. I prefer film to digital most often than not now, but there are some things – roadside attractions, small town storefronts, vintage cars and, absolutely carnivals, that I think just shine a little brighter on film. I loved all of these!
Your film choice for these images is spot on! A perfect way to capture that sense of nostalgia.
Yes, yes, yes – I very much enjoy nostalgia on film. For me it’s about the rural places – my grandmother’s garden, an old stone fence, an old-fashioned wooden sign.