Thursday 19 February 2009

Adventures in fancy film

Now hear ye hear ye. I am very much in love with my Smena Symbol 35mm camera. It always gives me really interesting pictures and such amazing colours. Can such cameratastic perfection be improved on? Apparently so.

I'm spreading the word: if you have any kind of film camera - start loading your films upside down!!!! I foolishly went and spent hard earned cash on 'red scale' film, but I'm reliably informed that it's just normal film loaded the wrong way round. Which makes sense as it does NOT want to be loaded into the camera and reduced me to tears with its refusal to curl round the spool.

But it was worth it. It's spectacular. It's a bit hit and miss, some things look total rubbish but when things look good they look amazing. Depending on the exposure you use* colours range from muted and tinged with red (Fig. 1) to red red red red red (Fig. 2).


Fig. 1 Sunset


Fig. 2 Moonrise

Do it. Or go here and buy some red scale. Whatever.

* I ain't no photographer - the Smena Symbol is so named because of its little weather symbols to help people who don't know any better with which exposure to use. So all I need do is say "hmmmm white cloud with cheeky sun poking out today I think". Bingo.

6 comments:

Barbara Bruederlin said...

They are very lovely pictures of course. But I am afraid I can never go back to film camera. I have spent far too much time taking photos when I had not wound the film properly into the camera. Far too many.

Karen's Mouth said...

It's always a bit of a gamble to be honest Barb. The lovely people in my local developing place just develop the films and put the shots straight onto CD so I don't have bagfuls of shit photos all round the place! Plus it's cheaper. Always use the digital when it counts. Especially as fannying around with the exposure and focus takes me about 10 minutes so it's no good for moving objects or actual people.

Valerie said...

Ooh, love the moonrise one.

I have a superb 35 mm that I really ought to drag out again. There's still film in the fridge for it. I've gone through about 3 digitals since I bought it. But there's something about a 35mm...

Allison said...

You've reminded me that I need to purchase a new Holga camera. They take the most interesting photos because its made entirely of plastic and light gets through, distorting the film.

Karen's Mouth said...

There IS something about a 35mm Valerie. I took my current header pic with my Smena and I just don't think I would have got those colours with a digital.

Mr Karen has a Holga Allison, they're so good. May I also recommend expired disposable cameras, the colour saturation is great. We ordered a load for the wedding. Have you seen Diana? She's GORGEOUS http://shop.lomography.com/shop/main.php?cat=Diana&pro=dif

Gorilla Bananas said...

The sky is the most beautiful thing on Earth. Well above it, anyway.