Roll and wind

It has been about 20 years I loaded a camera with film for the last time. In fact I could actually tell you when was it: We had a summer course about historical architecture and we got an assignment of which I do not recall the specifics but, we ended going " target="_blank">there to take a look at some structural damage. I know, since then, some work has happened to the building. I would not assume it has any relation with our report.

Anyway, that was 20 odd years ago and, while I don’t remember the camera, it was a (then) modern point and shoot, where you would place the film inside and it had a motorised winding mechanism. Which was fancy. Back in the late 90s, the whining of tiny electro motors was a sign of modernity.

Even those modernity standards were a little out of my depth, as what I was mainly using was a Canon from the early 80s. “I was using” as in, it belonged to my father.

Since I got my first digital camera, a sony cybershot, film photography was very much out. I remember the last developments I paid for came about 6 € (of 2002 ish) which apparently is just under 10 € today.

Fast forward to today, after I swore multiple times not to go back to film… well…

Let’s stop the tape a bit before, rewind a little.

I could say, I am into “retro” technology, but that would be slightly inaccurate and a very short blog entry. I do like the convenience and reliability of some, now “obsolete” technology. We have a world of convenience at our finger tips, but not only it is often sterile but also, unsatisfactory and open ended.

Let me waffle, I mean, explain.

Take music. Sure you can get a subscription, for which you need a smart phone, an account for it, an account for the subscription, a payment app… then you get streamed lowish quality music you cannot choose.

Or you pop in a cd, or a cassette or, if you’re fancy, a DCC or possibly a beloved minidisc. You need physical things, but there is no strings attached. it’s uncomplicated, it doesn’t need an internet connection it is just pressing a couple of buttons.

The preparing part is, of course longer but then again it becomes a ritual. Open the jewel case, the tray, the noises of the drive reading the ToC…

And that is what it can be extrapolated to shooting film. There is quite a ritual there, a slow down.

And sometimes, that is the point of it all, to slow down and enjoy it.

Selfie with a Konica T3