Registered: March 2004 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 1,504 users gallery
A few months ago, I wrote on my blog that I sold my film SLR and that from now one I was going to be 100% digital. Well, that wasn’t completely true, I sold off my 35mm film SLR I still own my grandfather’s 1960’s era Flexaret VI medium format TLR. So while I’m still committed to 100% digital for my serious work, there is no reason I can’t have a little fun.
Last week I was in one of my moods, I wanted to do something different, something creative. I’m not exactly sure how to put this in words but essentially I wanted to shoot a series of images that look and feel old and have a “gritty” quality to them.
At first I thought I would just shoot with my Canon 5D and simulate the effect in Photoshop but then, I remembered that I still had my grandfathers old TLR and that it would be perfect for this project.
The next day, I went down the the camera store and picked up a few rolls of medium format B&W film, film developing chemicals, and a developing tank. If I was going to do this, I was going to do it all.
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This first photo is just a test shot from my first roll of film. I’m still unsure if I’ll include it in the final “project”. If you’ve seen the film “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” you may notice that one of the scenes was shot in this exact spot. Of course Brad Pitt didn’t stick around to pose for my photo. This is the McDougall Church on the prairie west of Cochrane, Alberta. I believe it was the first church in Southern Alberta built in 1875.
After developing the film in my basement “darkroom”, I scanned it on an old flatbed/film scanner I got from work they they wanted to recycle. The scans are poor quality but more than good enough for the web and the small prints I plan to make. In fact, I think the lousy scans actually add to the “look” I’m going for. In photoshop, I adjusted the contrast, added a little grain and gave it a slight sepia tone.
McDougall Church, Southwest Alberta
Flexaret VI TLR, 80mm fixed lens
Ilford HP5 Plus developed in Ilfosol S
1/400 second at f/16
· Date: Thu March 20, 2008 · Views: 309 · Filesize: 260.9kb · Dimensions: 720 x 638 ·
Film is not dead, at least not yet. I like the quality of this image. Maybe it would have looked as good in digital, but I think that this is very good as it is.
Delorum Member
Registered: June 2004 Location: The Heart Of It All Posts: 86
Fri March 21, 2008 6:03am
You've certainly captured the look and feel of a bygone era. Very nicely done.
Wade D Senior Member
Registered: March 2005 Location: Jamul, CA Posts: 1,012
Fri March 21, 2008 7:31pm
Welcome back to the darkside muahahaha! Great shot!
------------------------------ The artist formerly known as The Dwid LOL
Fri March 21, 2008 11:31pm
I'm so glad you broke out the film camera. If this is any indication of what is yet to come, I can hardly wait to see more in this series. I absolutely LOVE everything about this image, Tom! The bare trees, winter dead grass, somber sky and trail leading to the little church--all beautifully composed; a poignant capture. Love the gritty look from the grain/scan. Matting and frame look great too.
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