A while back, I took a break from photography and explored other creative hobbies like spinning my own wool, knitting, drawing and pottery. I still pulled out a polaroid camera, shot an image now and then, or created something on my iPhone while on a break or waiting for an appointment, but I had lost interest in my usual image-making and had felt disconnected from it for some time. I wanted to try something new, but I had no idea where to start. Then I saw a post by a fellow viewfinder, the amazing Laura Yurs. She had created some incredible double-exposed images on film that caught my eye, and I finally felt the urge to pick up a camera again.
Inspired by Laura, I broke away from my usual habits and started experimenting. Since then, I’ve been trying out different techniques such as cyanotypes, destructive polaroids, and multiple exposures on both polaroid and film.
So many disasters, so much to learn, but oh so much fun!
After all the experimenting, and reigniting my love for photography, I decided to take the leap and learn how to develop my own black and white photos. I thought a good way for me to learn would be to take a couple of different cameras, load them with the same film stock, and see how they respond to the developing process.
I went on a day trip to a country town just over an hour’s drive from where I live. I took along two very different film cameras: a Yashica 635 medium format and a small, lightweight plastic camera with no focusing ability, just four simple settings, and the word “International” on the front.
I also took my husband and my dog.
The Yashica 635 is the only Medium Format camera that I own so, until I buy another, this is my MF fave.
The International camera with its simple plastic lens and no focusing capabilities surprised me.
The images look like they’ve been shot in another time period, and there’s a whimsicality to them that satisfies the creative part of me that is drawn to images that are blurred by movement or out of focus.
Having developed a few rolls of film, I now understand its appeal, and I am totally obssessed with the process.
I can’t say that my little experiment with the two cameras taught me anything outstanding. What I did learn is that juggling two cameras, a camera bag, light meter, and the now essential spectacles is equally frustrating and amusing. I think I’ll stick to shooting one camera at a time for the foreseeable future.
Until next time, enjoy the light.