Into the Unknown

When I first saw this photo of Jen Lee and her Diana camera, it was love at first sight.  A couple months later, I got my own for my birthday.  I quickly shot two rolls on 120 film, but had a hard time finding a place that would develop and scan slide film who was also open during hours when I wasn't tied to my desk at work.  The two rolls sat in a drawer, and the camera became just another pretty decoration.

Lucky for me, I met THE Jen Lee in the Shutter Suite last weekend at BlogHer, and when I told her how I had a Diana too and that I've been neglecting my already exposed film, she told me that I just HAD to get it developed.  And for some reason, hearing that from Jen gave me the impetus I needed to do just that.  Or maybe it was being transported in time perusing her Flickr stream and her beautiful new book.  Whatever it was, I'm excited about the possibilities now that I've actually seen what you can get from a little toy camera.

I still don't know quite what I'm doing, but that's half the thrill, knowing that I'm stepping into the unknown, that when I click the shutter, there is no instant gratification lighting up on a LCD screen.  No, I have to wait and hope for and imagine what images will appear after the whole roll has been shot and developed.  Seeing those photos for the first time, though, is like opening up an old scrapbook and being transported back to when the memories were created.

If you are a film enthusiast, please share with us an image that you were surprised or delighted by that was totally worth the wait.

Comments

[Marcie]

What a wonderful image..and wonderful effect. I do miss film..and find myself often trying to emulate it in my post-processing. Here's a recent attempt (not nearly as good as the real thing):
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=873

[cindy]

your photo is just wonderful. i'm new to film, but was very happy with this one. the basket reminds me of a hula skirt -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/71443419@N00/3720289921/in/set-72157606314113720/

[Heather]

Thanks for posting this. I'm excited because my birthday is coming up and I'm pretty sure (because my mom unknowingly let the cat out of the bag) that I am getting a Holga. I've seen such lovely things with these toy cameras. Hopefully I will be able to get some good shots too :)

[yellow pooky]

i am in love with film

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/3080332539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/3077770591/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/3077770583/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yellowpooky/3683073396/

[Jamie Lapeyrolerie]

I am pretty sure I posted this before, but it's my one film project that I have had the time and money to do in the past several months. I would definitely love to shoot film more, there's nothing like it :)
http://jamielynnephotography.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-miss-film.html

[faith]

I first came to photography via a B&W class in high school and have loved film ever since. But like most people I've been shooting strictly digital for the last few years. But my husband gave me a Holga for Christmas last year which I've been enjoying a lot.

This is my favorite picture from it so far:
http://thenearestfuture.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-couldnt-wait.html

And here are some more I've taken:
http://thenearestfuture.blogspot.com/search/label/Holga

[Lu]

Wonderful post and a great reminder to return to the basics sometimes. I have been looking at my film camera and wanting to start shooting film again just for the heck of it. Plus, my film camera is full frame. Just might do some shooting this week and see what happens.

[Kate C.]

I recently bought a Holga and took this image of a polar bear at the Detroit Zoo. I love my Holga! It's tons of fun.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katherinec/3753558812/

[Jen]

I can hardly express in words how much I love my diana, how I think it has made me a better photographer because of the unknown associated with it. So here is my set, because I could choose between one shot or the other:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32172714@N02/sets/72157619877442515/

[Jaana]

I gave away my 35mm a couple years ago to someone who was interested in photography, but couldn't really afford a camera or anything. I still like to look back on film photos though. There is just something about them...

These I developed myself in the dark room. That was a blast.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dxeechick/3785675032/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dxeechick/3784865641/

[summer]

My heart is with film, it always will be and I will return to my heart someday. For now my pocketbook is with digital...I saved every penny for the camera and still have yet to get a single print made for lack of $.
There is something painful in not being able to hold a print in your hand. And I desperately miss the smell of chemicals on my stained fingertips...
here's one I printed years ago when connections gave me free film and free dark room access...alas the connections disappeared when the demand for developing and printing film all but evaporated in my neighborhood.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/888943170/in/set-72157603783989784/

[leaca]

I just bought a SX-70 and I love it and I was surprised at how much I love the pictures it takes.

http://simplyblogged.blogspot.com/2009/07/simply-polaroid-sx-70.html



beautiful image above and I love that it is not standard.

[Crane Curtis]

I love my Diana. I haven't shot with it this summer as much as I would have liked, but I played around with it quite a bit in the winter. I've been having fun getting shots on slide film converted as well.

Diana:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cranecurtis/3408347862/in/set-72157615187020493/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cranecurtis/3408348844/in/set-72157615187020493/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cranecurtis/3513621791/in/photostream/

Slide film:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cranecurtis/3514431122/in/photostream/

[djbeat]

such amazing shots! i miss film in many ways - miss developing my own - but i think those days are over (for now).

[Julie Alvarez]

I never stopped shooting film... It decreased it's fluidity, of course, for a while. But I am back. And I will be using it for as long as it exists.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/sets/72157617779503892/

[Maya v.]

I was surprised by this photo and how well it came out and it truly captured the quietness of this one morning by the water. I waited a few months before printing this film and the wait alone was worth it. I love film and will never stop.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mayangsari/3288944687/

[Crystal Ball]

I really really really want a Diana. I've been wanting one for quite some time now but I'm scared to get it because it uses 120 mm film. Your story is so inspiring and it makes me want to purchase a Diana even more! Hopefully I find a place that develops the film and then I'll get that Diana of my dreams.

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