Why I Still Shoot Film

Something inspiring happens when I shoot using analogue cameras. Loading film takes me back to the time I spent studying photography, learning the art and science. I whiled away afternoons in the darkroom with smelly chemicals and looking on in delight as images gradually appeared, as if by magic.  

I take the discipline of shooting on film seriously. It brings a whole new perspective to my photography. It forces me to slow down, which is a good thing in this day and age. Graininess and little imperfections on the images are charming and turn each photograph into something organic and unique.

Simply put, shooting film takes me off into a different world, a world which is out of the ordinary.

Hasselblad - Vintage Love

I love photography, I live and breathe it. 

So I'm delighted to introduce the latest edition to my camera collection.... A Hasselblad 500c from 1957, Isn't it gorgeous?

I've cleaned the camera, its lenses and numerous, beautiful accessories. I've read all the original manuals, still in perfect condition that were tucked neatly in the front pocket of the leather kit bag. The 120 roll film has arrived, so ready to go! 

It has been a while since I used film. At college I managed to source a Large Format 5x4 camera and the most sturdy tripod to be found to take the weight of it. Both of these things could hardly be carried, but the results from the camera were worth all the effort of lugging the equipment around.

It will take more than a couple of rolls of film to get used to this Medium Format camera, there will no doubt be more than a few mistakes, but images that happen to be blurry or imperfect, that are shot on film, can turn out to be beautiful mistakes.

Another consideration is that in these days of digital photography, buying film and having it processed isn't cheap, every time the shutter is clicked it will cost. That all being said, I'm delighted with this new addition and have already begun getting to grips with analogue again.

I'm also working towards a new exhibition (more details coming soon) and I plan to shoot a collection of images using these wonderful vintage cameras.