Gone Analog

[Deon]

Last month I sold the last of my digital cameras and accessories that went with them. I have paired down my camera, studio and grip equipment significantly since exiting the commercial photographic world four years ago. Back to basics, back to analog and the darkroom! I am returning to my favorite cameras and formats to design within. Getting out from under a pile of equipment has been nothing short of an eye opening experience, as well as a great relief.

• EPSON Perfection V700/V750

Columbia River at Altoona, Washington - Hasselblad 501c/m w/60mm - Ilford FP-4

Other than my out of date phone, I no longer have a digital recording device. Stop what you’re thinking! I’m not against or even dislike digital! That is simply not the case at all. The details and resolution are nothing short of breathtaking, not to mention how easy it is to get incredibly accurate colors. If that is your goal, I’m not going to talk you out of it, it’s simply what needs to be done. I personally enjoy the nuances that various films add to an image. Today, I don’t need an image to be ultra sharp or even a sense of accuracy. I’m drawn to shapes, colors and design to convey an idea as opposed to a crisp thing or place to tell a story.

• EPSON Perfection V700/V750

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico - Hasselblad Flexbody w/100mm - Ilford Pan-F

It was not that long ago I owned 57 cameras. Today I am shooting with two 35mm cameras and two 6x6cm medium format cameras. I have my Father’s Leica M4 with 50mm f=2.0 Dual Range Summicron (I was 11 years old when I went with him to pick it up at a camera shop), I also reload several Kodak “Fun Saver Panoramic 35” disposables (25mm f=12). In medium format I have a Hasselblad Flexbody and 501c/m with three Carl Zeiss T* CF lenses. A 60mm f=3.5 Distagon, 100mm f=3.5 Planar and 120mm f=4.0 Makro Planar lens. Plus a Holga 120n (60mm F=8.0).

• EPSON Perfection V700/V750

Silver Springs, Nevada - Holga 120n - Expired Kodak VPS-120

How do you feel about analog or digital? Do you have a strong opinion or no opinion? I personally feel they are just another tool, no different than a paint brush to create an engaging image.

 

[Bags]

Great story and even greater photographs. They are all terrific. The one with the Holga is so capricious, befitting the camera you used, and the one with the Flexbody is real artwork. Bravo!

I'm just a rank amateur who left photography for around 20 years because of a single bad experience. Eventually convinced by my family and a friend to return and when I did the world was digital. I jumped into it. But what I found was that my pictures were perfect--as in perfectly boring. I have no capacity to make interesting (at least to myself) digital photographs. They lack meaning for me.

Just before Covid hit, I had dusted off my Nikon FE and tried film again. Bang! Goodbye digital cameras! And then when we were all locked in our homes, I began developing my own and constructed a pretty effective digital scanning kit. (No wet printing for now: still working and don't have the time). I still shoot a little digital when I travel (tired of the film hassle in airports) with a Blad CFV 50, though, if I use it at all, it is mainly on the back of my 500 c/m or SWC. But I don't feel alive in photography unless I'm shooting film.

 

[Deon]

Great story and even greater photographs. They are all terrific. The one with the Holga is so capricious, befitting the camera you used, and the one with the Flexbody is real artwork. Bravo!

I'm just a rank amateur who left photography for around 20 years because of a single bad experience. Eventually convinced by my family and a friend to return and when I did the world was digital. I jumped into it. But what I found was that my pictures were perfect--as in perfectly boring. I have no capacity to make interesting (at least to myself) digital photographs. They lack meaning for me.

Just before Covid hit, I had dusted off my Nikon FE and tried film again. Bang! Goodbye digital cameras! And then when we were all locked in our homes, I began developing my own and constructed a pretty effective digital scanning kit. (No wet printing for now: still working and don't have the time). I still shoot a little digital when I travel (tired of the film hassle in airports) with a Blad CFV 50, though, if I use it at all, it is mainly on the back of my 500 c/m or SWC. But I don't feel alive in photography unless I'm shooting film.

Thank you for your kind words!

 

[Gio]

Did you ever think then to go full analog? meaning relinquishing the digital half you are still using: the scanner. Otherwise you start analog, but you end up again digital. But I do understand this move could prove even more cumbersome and costly!

 

[Deon]

Did you ever think then to go full analog? meaning relinquishing the digital half you are still using: the scanner. Otherwise you start analog, but you end up again digital. But I do understand this move could prove even more cumbersome and costly!

Yes, I have been giving it some thought, as I have been going through computer hell just lately (I'll get over it). I'm only scanning some images to create a new website. Otherwise unless you attend one of my shows or go to the Tate Modern (9 images on the American Cowboy) or the Nevada Museum of At (Center for Art & Environment), I have an archive of 42 images here. Since landing in New Mexico, I've been spending a considerable amount of time trying to find institutions that would take my images. Attempting this digitally has had little to zero effect, in other words very few responses. Now, I'm sending out a hand made piece, sent via post to the same people and in every case I'm getting quality responses. Analog!

 

[photoeil]

After recovering from a rather mild cerebral infarction in 2019, which made me spend half a year in a tunnel before being able to regain a 'normal' life, I sold my digital gear and some of my studio stuff too.
I even got rid of my LF cameras and accessories, and spend the gained money on a used Silvestri SLV 6x9 camera set.
Now, I live some very happy moments with that camera, along with my 1981 Hasselblad which I always cherished (and used professionally).
Luckily, I kept my darkroom operational as I had some assignments that could be done on film, whether it was B/W negative (wet printed) or B/W and/or colour positive (reversal processed in my Colenta AT60).
Now I systematically spend two days per week developing and printing (only B/W), a matter of keeping some rhythm.

That's how a 40 years long professional career ends...

 

[davidmknoble]

I think it’s great you intentionally spend certain time just developing and printing. That is just as fun as being out shooting film, and so many people let it stack up for so long it becomes a chore. Congrats on getting back to where you want to be!

 

[Deon]

After recovering from a rather mild cerebral infarction in 2019, which made me spend half a year in a tunnel before being able to regain a 'normal' life, I sold my digital gear and some of my studio stuff too.
I even got rid of my LF cameras and accessories, and spend the gained money on a used Silvestri SLV 6x9 camera set.
Now, I live some very happy moments with that camera, along with my 1981 Hasselblad which I always cherished (and used professionally).
Luckily, I kept my darkroom operational as I had some assignments that could be done on film, whether it was B/W negative (wet printed) or B/W and/or colour positive (reversal processed in my Colenta AT60).
Now I systematically spend two days per week developing and printing (only B/W), a matter of keeping some rhythm.

That's how a 40 years long professional career ends...

So glad you are returning to a "normal life" that doesn't sound good. Anyway, I have lusted after those Silvestri cameras, but never went there. At this point in my life it just about having fun with everything I do. It's so nice to not have clients anymore...

 

[Deon]

I think it’s great you intentionally spend certain time just developing and printing. That is just as fun as being out shooting film, and so many people let it stack up for so long it becomes a chore. Congrats on getting back to where you want to be!

I let my collection get out of hand. I've been working on organizing it for three years and I'm still not finished (I'm very close). Last week I filled two full sized trash cans with negatives and contact sheets from jobs of the past. Why did I even hold on to this stuff???