A lesson in developing
Film photography can be unforgiving at times. Something as simple as putting the reel in upside down when you load up the tank, can have catastrophic results. I lost 4 sheets of 4x5 film for this reason alone. However not all the shots were destroyed. Some were effected by the ensuing light leak less and others were untouched.
These 3 frames are what survived and have become ultimately, significantly more precious for it. That's sort of the beauty of film though. It feels like both a gift and a huge accomplishment for just getting the photos to exist in the world. It has a real dollar value cost for every shot you take. Not to mention the time and energy put into every shot to make sure you get the most out of every exposure. When it fails, it hurts, but when it succeeds, you are walking on clouds. Film is more satisfying to me because of these extra high highs and those highs exists because of the extra low lows. There is a risk to shooting film.
It feels a lot like playing a game on “hardcore difficulty” were you only have one life and if you die, you have to restart the game.
All this to say, I was very excited for these frames. And there was another portrait I really wanted to come out but unfortunately they did not. Maybe I'll get another chance, but unlikely. I can at least learn from my mistakes.
These portraits were taken of the artists in the tattoo shop I have been visiting frequently this year. Jeffy, with the big glasses and beard) is the incredible artist who did my DND sleeve (photos coming once it's healed).
I also had some images that didn't really survive, but look heckin' cool nonetheless.
