As mentioned, all of my work is currently shot on 35mm photographic film. I do not even own a digital camera other than my phone, because most "good" models were too expensive for me when I started out shooting in 2020. Film prices have gone up drastically since then, making it much harder to shoot, but I still continue to do so as it's a medium to which I am used to at this stage.
I shoot on both black and white and colour films including slide film. I currently use two film cameras, my 1977 Zenit-E and my Canon EOS 1N along with a selection of mainly 1970s fully manual lenses. My choice of lenses was really just out of financial practicality as old M42 mount glass is very cheap. To achieve a lot of the effects and character in my work, I use different filters, usually colour conversion filters, ND and polarising filters and cross screen filters. I have also started shooting using a tripod often as it allows for smaller aperture and longer exposure times during a lot of conditions, not just nighttime.
Contrary to some documentarists, I do allow a certain dramatic character "shine through" through and try and not only capture the environments "as they are" but also how I felt about them - something almost unavoidable in any case but especially so when shooting on film, which in iteslf leans into a certain exaggerated character. My philosophy behind my approach is that firstly; there are plenty of digital shooters documenting the precise nature of the world around us already (often overdoing it), and secondly; character is what allows stories to be told and shared, whats adds emotions that people inherently need to understand context. I could have just taken these images on my phone and been more "accurate", without the colour casts, halation, and softness of old lenses, but the images would also have no soul to them.
If you are interested in how I achieve any photographs similar to mine or any practical effects, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to share my knowledge. I consider film a wonderful medium that deserves to be kept alive.
My Equipment:
Cameras:
Canon EOS 1N (film)
Zenit-E (film)
Lenses:
Zenitar 16mm f2.8 fisheye
Pentacon 29mm f2.8
Penatcon 50mm f1.8
Fujinon 50mm f1.4
Helios 44M 58mm f2
Marep 135mm f3.5 telephoto
Sigma (Canon EF mount) 160-500mm (currently in repair)
Filters:
Hoya Sparkle 4x cross screen filter
Hoya polarising filter
Marumi Vari ND 2.5-500
Blue conversion filters
Orange conversion filters
Cokin FL-D 100x100mm
Retro Effects Lights:
Kino Flo Mini (small professional lighting set)
1x 55w SOX (low pressure sodium, special effects, 70s-2000s UK and Ireland)
1x 36w SOX-E (low pressure sodium, special effects, 70s-2000s UK and Ireland)
2x 18w SOX (low pressure sodium, special effects, 70s-2000s UK and Ireland)
3x 70w SON (high pressure sodium, special effects, 80s - 2000s)
1x 100w SON (high pressure sodium, special effects, 80s - 2000s)
3x 80w mercury vapour (special effects, 1950s - 1970s)
1x 125 mercury vapour lamp (special effects 1950s-70s
4x 160w mercury vapour/incandescent lamps (special effects 1950s-1970s)
6x 18w fluorescent (available tubes: 2700k, 3000k, 4000k, 5000k-high CRI daylight balance, 6500k, 8000k, Red (x2), Violet (x4))
2x 36w fluorescent (available tubes: 2700k, 3000k, 6500k)
2x 500w incandescent lamps (high CRI)
2x 1000w incandescent lamps (high CRI)
Neon flicker flame lamps (special effects)
Incandescent fairy lights (warm glow, high CRI)
1x Philips MI36 streetlight fixture (SOX)
1x Electrosvit "ramínko" streetlight fixture (HPS/MV)
3x Nordex Astra 1 fixture streetlight (HPS/MV)
Other:
Tripod
Shutter release cable (for long expo)
4x 4x8m photo background (white, black, grey, brown)
