I have the film but no ideas on what to shoot. Ever get that? It's like writer's block. It's...photog's block? I guess it's not as bad as being inspired but not having the gear to follow through.
I was talking to a pro photog about this yesterday--who often goes on long stretches without doing any creative projects himself--who gave me the predictable, "Just shoot!"
My theory on this is that with film becoming more and more rare and heading toward extinction, the pressure is on. With my dwindling Polaroid stock, there are only so many shots left--you've got to make it count. And not really working with 110 since the 1980s when it was a really common format, I am really nervous about it. 110 will not be produced, even by Kodak, next year or ever again; they are shutting down production sometime this year. Not even sure the camera works! As I said before, it was a xmas gift from a friend who bought it at a nikkei garage sale. Its history is not known. It powers up okay, but unsure about the shutter.
This morning I spent 30 minutes on the horn and Twitter trying to find a store that will process some BW rolls [TMAX 400] that I've been sitting on for way too long. I think it's been affected by some heat and straight up AGING so I wasn't interested in paying $9-15 to get it processed at the pro camera shop. They'd have to send it out and that's a week or so of waiting. Called around the the hour processing spots and they all said the same thing, "Black and white? If I put it in C-41, we can do it." What? No, mothereff. Don't do that! "Oh. Then no. We don't do black and white."
After some looking around online and some help from textdrivebys (I knew she'd come through--we got each other's back right? Not bad for someone I never met.) I came across Dwayne's Photo who does mail order processing for everything you ever put on film including discontinued formats. I downloaded his order form. TMAX will hold on till I get a couple 110s exposed. His prices are pretty good. Found him on a photog forum and people say good things. Bonus, went to another Walmart today and found more 110 so I'm not caring as much if I fuck up a few exposures. Still not sure what to shoot though I'm glad I have more to work with and a place to send it afterward. We've got SF on the calendar in February. My world is looking a little dull till then. Not much in funds and I live in the sticks. For now I'll load Minolta up and stick in my purse.
Maybe someone want to do a meetup.
* I wish Freddie and Bowie did more songs together.
Since 2006
1 comment:
you know this!
i'm a blank when it comes to taking pictures lately. i think it's because of the mass amounts of people with camera phones, digital cameras, etc. i have about 6 rolls i haven't developed since 1999. i should get on it, i wonder if it's still good.
sf would be dope trip. i really haven't been to the city now that i'm grown. dying to see the super 7 store lol there's also a cute hotel (might be a hostel) that has art (jeremy fish, sam flores) in the rooms. have you heard or it?
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