New Beginnings (man, what a corny title!)
My film photography journey started when I was given a Nikon FE by Rob Boyer and asked to shoot some film and report back about my experiences. Rob was more interested in how I felt whilst shooting than the results. Boy I don’t think either of us expected what happened!
Shooting with the Nikon was so very different to my X100. The first thing I noticed (apart from the smell of film when I popped the canister) was the focal length of the lens. I have a 50mm on the FE but had solely shot with the 35mm equivalent on my X100 for over a year. The 50 was like a telescope! This took a fair bit of getting used to unlike shooting manually as I had been doing this on my X100 anyway.
So now to my state of mind. Since getting the Nikon I have hardly touched my little Fuji. When out shooting I have been taking my time more and choosing when to press the shutter and when best to leave it. Several times my daughter has been playing and I’ve wanted to capture a moment so I do. I pick up the FE, focus and grab the shot. I can then put down the camera and join in. Previously I would check the screen and try and take a better photo, several times over. Then, in the evening, I would sit with my Mac on my lap and get sucked into Lightroom for the evening and although I was sat next to my wife I wasn’t with her.
I would chase projects, stories, avenues to try and make photography pay something back and all I succeeded in doing was to get depressed and completely lost. Rightly or wrongly I was putting so much pressure on myself to find my next story for Kage and to keep up a certain perception of myself so Fuji didn’t feel I was letting them down. It was all getting on top of me.
Which brings us to now. When I shoot film I am relaxed. I enjoy taking photos knowing that I have captured that moment and the “look” is done for me. I don’t have to spend hours post processing or revisiting old photos just because VSCO release another great film pack. I am spending more quality time with my wife and we chat more! I’m returning to the man she fell in love with and that can’t be bad.
After a lot of deliberation I have decided to sell my X100. It’s just not being used any more and that’s unfair to that great little camera, it needs to be shot! I am saving up for a Hasselblad 500C/M but I need to clear the credit card first. I have to get my priorities straight and be sensible, first time for everything! I know that selling my Fuji X100 will have ramifications but it’s something I have to do.
