“Creative Overnight Vol. Two”
The Graham and Co. + Phonecia Diner
Phonecia, New York
August, 2014
PENTAX K1000
Fuji Film Superia X-TRA400
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I’m so excited to present these photos– the first in a film series I’m starting here on the blog. In August, while home for a weekend to visit family, I found my old 35mm Pentax K1000, straight from my photo elective taking high school days. Gloriously, it still worked {turns out the battery– a silver oxide battery– can last Y E A R S!} and so I hurried to Ralins, the old film store in Syracuse {still up and running to my delight} to buy myself a pack of Fuji film. I’ve had the best time testing out the camera– loading the film, hearing the “CLICK!”, waiting {and waiting} to see the images I tried to capture. Oh, the wonder of it all!
I’ve gotten three rolls developed from the summer, and have a few more waiting to be dropped off at the nearby film processing center. Turns out, through a bit of trial and error, places that develop film are few and far between. I’ve found a few companies online, but the pictures above were developed at a photo shop in Waltham, which only develops once a week on Saturdays. Most places like CVS send film away to be developed, so I was happy to find a specific photo store in my area that does the work in shop.
I don’t know if there are many readers out there with an interest in film photography, but it never hurts to ask a few questions in case you have any knowledge to share:
1// Do you have any favorite film recommendations? Does it matter so much the film I get? I started out with Fuji 400 to play it safe, and because I’m familiar with it, but I’m definitely up for trying different films if there are others out there that people enjoy working with.
2// Do you have any favorite film developing shops? In Boston or to send away to? I hope to someday try Indie Film Lab, recommended to me by a photog friend {I love the look and mission of the company}, but right now it’s a little pricey especially when most of what I’m doing is experimenting! Helping out a local business feels right and good for now, but I’m interested in other places too if you know of any!
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These photos are unedited, and I hope to keep the whole series that way, save for a little bit of lightening I did on just a few. It’s fun to keep them “natural” since most of the time I’m doing some heavy editing via instagram and this blog. I think the color and depth to these photos just goes to show– film photography is still amazing! Anyway, I hope you like them! More are coming soon! :)
Anna, these are so lovely! The film is just dreamy.
Thank you, Abbie! Yes, I think so too!
I simply love these pictures, Anna! They’re gorgeous! Oh, I miss film photography so much. I really think there is a quality in them that you don’t get with digital. I never had my own film camera, but my Poppop did, and he took some beautiful photographs. This makes me want to go out and get a Pentax film camera now! I can’t wait to see the rest!
I bet you could probably find one on ebay? You should look!
Oh I love the shot outside the building with the two chairs!! I think film photography is soooo gorgeous, I would love to bust out my old film camera again someday.
You should! It is so fun! And I love how every shot counts, you know?
These are BEAUTIFUL! I have my father-in-law’s film camera at home, and I really need to take it out and try it sometime soon. You’re inspiring me!
Yes! You do! We could go around the city and take pictures together if you like! I’d like that very much!
ANNA. LOVE THIS.
THANKS, B!!
anna…. i just want to let you know that your pictures are always my favorite on the whole entire internet. you should do some photo tutorials. just saying………. ;D
Thank you, Stephanie! That means A LOT!!!
And maybe I will! Not a bad idea… :)
You’re inspiring me to take out my film camera too! I also did a lot of photography in high school and college, and it was so exciting to open the developed photos! usually by the time I got them back from the shop, I forgot exactly what I had taken. ;) So much fun.
Yes! That’s just it. So much fun to wait and see.
Love these! I’m a kodak portrait lady myself and I usually get them developed at either Newtonville camera, or Hunts photo, but have also been wanting to try Indie Film Lab. Can’t wait to see more film from you!
Thanks, Elizabeth! Good to know!
Anna, these are SO GOOD! I love the raw quality that comes out in film. It’s so funny how foreign it sounds to take a picture and have to wait to get the film developed to see it!
I know! Old school is fun! :)
OMG! We drive by the Phonecia Diner all the time on the way to Rhinebeck, but have never been! Will be there Thanksgiving weekend and will have to check it out.
YES CHRISTIE!!!!!!!! You need to!
:) :) :)
Stunning work, Anna! You should get your hands on some Ektar 100 – it’s super saturated, but so much fun for travel/landscape photography, on bright, sunny days. My go-to has always been Fuji 400H, but I’ll use Portra (400 + 800) from time to time, too. Looking forward to seeing more of your film images!
Thanks for the tips, Meredith!! I am going to order some of that film soon to try out! I’ve had the Portra in my Amazon cart for awhile, and it looks like I just need to bit the bullet and checkout! :)