Experiments in Film: A Photo Essay
Last October I was looking for a simple entry point into film photography. Nearby, outside a community darkroom sits a vending machine, filled with different film formats, disposable cameras, photomemo books, stickers and other items. I purchased a cheap plastic Harman reusable camera which came with two rolls of Kentmere Pan 400 film. After I finished shooting the two rolls, I picked up a roll of Kodak Gold 200 for my other camera, a Nikon L35. I shot my last photo on June 12 and dropped them off at the darkroom for scanning. I didn't want to get any prints because I was sure some of the photos would be terrible! A week later, I received my scans in my email and took a look. These are my experiments in film.
I was always taking photos when I was younger though I haven't used film since high school [1]. I had a film camera I'd take on trips and hikes and get film processed at a convenience store like CVS. My favorite 'technique' was taking a series of landscape shots by panning the camera and shooting from left to right. After I got the prints, I'd tape the photos together, recreating a panorama.
Lately, I've been experimenting with my iPhone and a digital Canon G10 but I missed having actual prints to look at afterwards (currently looking for a small printer to conveniently print iPhone photos!) Picking up a cheap film camera seemed a fun and interesting way to go.
I learned a lot from these experiments, like how to input the roll of film into the camera and how to take it out (I'd forgotten!). I learned about the differences between the cameras, film, and how the exposure, lighting, and ISO affect the photo. I realize I made two 'mistakes':
I wasn't aware the two Kentmere rolls which came with the Harman were black and white! So a lot of photos were too dark, however the black and white gave the photos an eerie quality in settings like Greenwood Cemetery.
I used Kodak Gold 200 film in the Nikon. After I finished the roll and was rereading the Nikon's manual, I learned that I needed to adjust the camera's film speed dial to match the films ISO. While I was shooting, the Nikon's ISO was set to 100, rather than 200 to match the Kodak 200 film. This produced some interesting results- the photos took on a warm, dreamy quality.
Of course, these aren't mistakes - just "happy accidents". This is an experiment after all! (Note: I didn’t edit these photos in any way).
After I received the photos and reviewed them, I took notes on each photo including date, location, and what I liked or disliked. I realized I could've jotted down the date, location and other technical data when I took the photo. I picked up a Photomemo book from the vending machine for next time. I renamed the photos, trying to work out a proper archival system. As I looked through the photos, certain themes started to emerge. The following selection of photos, presented mostly chronologically, highlight these themes.
Domino Park, Williamsburg, NY
I routinely walk along the East River in Williamsburg from Domino Park to the North 5th Street Pier to Bushwick Inlet Park. For my first roll of film, the river was the first and last place I visited to take photos. Since I walk this route all the time, to clear my head and get some fresh air. I’ve taken many photos with my iPhone and tried to emulate some of my favorites here with the Harman. Some of the images are dark (I didnt know I was shooting in black & White!)
Greenwood Cemetery, Halloween 2021.
The black and white lends an eerie quality to the magnificent mausoleums found here.
Check out my blog post about Greenwood’s history.
Horseheads, NY Winter and Spring 2022
Another favorite place to take photos - on my Grandpa’s property in upstate NY. The beautiful trees, animals, sunsets and calmness remind me I am no longer in the city. Here the dark black and white photos taken in winter are a stark contrast to the warm, color photos taken at the end of spring. My brother Eric focuses intently on his morning guitar practice.
Snowstorm,Bushwick, NY 1.29.22
This was the last big snowstorm we had and I went out at about 9 or 10am and trudged through the high snow to get some photos. From left to right:
the Lipsius-Cook mansion on 670 Bushwick Ave
DSNY, NY’s strongest, clears the streets with a garbage truck and plow
the 83rd Precinct at Dekalb and Wilson Avenues
a few people venture north on Knickerbocker Avenue.
Bushwick walking tour 2.6.22
Walking and exploring is my favorite pastime. Here I walk from the Onderdonk house on the corner of Flushing and Onderdonk, then east towards the mural off Wyckoff avenue.
Harriman State Park, NY 3.5.22
Eric and I did our first hike of the year. The Nikon (I didn’t know I had to change the ISO setting!) produced some otherworldly-looking photos. Eric looks like he’s observing the landscape of a distant planet. In the second image, the West Mountain hiker’s shelter is visible. In the third, the Perkins Memorial Tower sits atop Bear Mountain.
Puerto Rican Day Parade, Knickerbocker Ave.,Bushwick 6.12.22
Here again, the Nikon with incorrect ISO setting produced some dreamy photos.
Misc. photos
Some miscellaneous photos from various dates. Car theme going on here.
To recap - I learned a few things for next time! I like the effect of the black and white film, but the Harman camera has a strange effect where it seems to blur the outer edges, with only the absolute center in focus. The Nikon is definitely the better camera of the two and my shots seem to be more in focus and framed properly.
Also in reviewing these photos, I learned about what I like to photograph. I to walk and explore, which is how I learn about my surroundings. A lot of the landmarks and interesting buildings in this group of photos were found by just walking around. Nature - whether hiking, walking along the East River, or upstate - is another important theme. A lot of these photos I’d taken before with my iPhone and from repetition, I knew where I’d like to visit to take some with film.
Until next time (hopefully with the correct ISO setting!),
KW
Footnotes
[1] high school was 15 years ago, when my transition from analog to digital technologies had begun with the iPod and cell phones.
