It’s that time of the year again, when we look back and move forward, contrasting old and new. Towards the end of last year, I started to shoot black and white in my Contax Aria. It was a deliberate move to return to shooting 35mm (after about 20 years) but at the same time a move forward to try some new things.
After years of shooting mostly colour it is a challenge to learn to see everyday life in black and white, like photographers had to in the old days.
I find it amusing to take pictures of something that didn’t exist 20 years ago (such as my children), but black and white film makes it look like an old picture.
It’s an excuse to go to some new places with camera, but also to revisit some old haunts. In some ways I feel as though I’m taking the pictures I never took when I was younger.
I’m processing the film at home (with help from my husband) but instead of printing in a darkroom, I’m scanning the negatives and doing the “printing” digitally (while listening to music from 20 years ago, which seems appropriate). So it really is a case of old meets new. It’s both familiar and exciting!
Happy New Year!
Beautiful shots. You can’t really beat film but it is wonderful to be able to use new technology to bring your photographs to life.
You are so right! It’s been a really good learning experience and I hope to do more during the year.
so wonderful!!! i loved this piece so much and all of the photographs!!! i am nutty for black and white and for, for me, “envisioning” a shot in monochrome adds another dimension to that deeply “in the moment” feel i crave when shooting!!! xxxooo
I’m still learning how to *see* in black and white. I’ll keep giving it a go and hope to be as good as you at it one day! x
i love this concept Kirstin! When I shot my first 35mm rolls of film in 2012 for my first film friday post, I went to my favorite neighborhood haunts to shoot! I have a roll of t-max 400 that’s been waiting since 2003 (at least) to be used and I just can’t decide where to shoot it! Maybe I’ll just have to take it around to my favorite spots after all 🙂
Holly! Give it a go! I’m going to try visiting different parts of London with a roll of film.
I have a roll of black and white in my Canon 1N right now! Thank you for the inspiration!
Yesssssss! Can’t wait to see the results!
oh my gosh that shot of miles!
Thank you! He is my muse, for sure.