How fitting that my favorite magazine news program devote a segement to the last days of Kodak Kodachrome - the world's finest film.
As a photographer shooting film, I tend to "overstock," so, earlier this year I started sharing my rolls of Kodachrome with folks who listen to The Film Photography Podcast (the internet radio show which I host).
The images shot by the podcast audience are on display in the "KODACHROME - Film Photography Project 2010" on Flickr.com
Launched in October of 2009, the Film Photography Podcast is a 90 minute, bi-weekly Internet radio program, exploring a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced and aspiring photographer using film as a medium. Hosts Michael Raso and Duane Polcou enthusiastically dissect and debate the pros-and-cons of film formats, do-it-yourself techniques, digital technologies, and vintage and contemporary cameras and accessories in a thorough, informative and casual manner. Regular features include Camera tests and reviews, “book of the month”, interviews, a listener-generated Q&A, and film-related giveaways.
Produced in the United States, the Film Photography Podcast is broadcast around the globe via iTunes and direct stream from http://www.filmphotographypodcast.com
The all mechanical / all plastic Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim camera has no electronics or need for a battery to function. With a fixed f11 aperture and a w-i-d-e 22mm lens, the camera delivers gorgeous lo-fi pictures. Current price tag on e-bay: $50. (if your lucky to find one). Demand is great enough that a company called SuperHeadz has manufactured a worthy “knock-off.”
The last few weeks have been great fun – experimenting with various vintage film cameras and film formats. So many possibilities…always satisfying.
KODACHROME HEAVEN
I’ve become a bit of a KodaKook when it comes to Kodachrome film. Since Kodak announced its discontinuation in June of this year, every photographer in the world that has been hoarding this unique film in their freezer (for 1 to 20 years) has begun to auction off their stash on e-bay.
The freezing process almost stops the aging process in film. So I’ve confidently purchased Kodachrome that is 25 years past its expiration date. Somewhat risky but amazingly fun, I haven’t shot a bad batch of Kodachrome yet. An amazingly stable film.
Because of it’s complicated emulsion; Kodak announced that Kodachrome processing will only be available through December of 2010 via Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas. With only 14 months and a freezer filled with film, I’m dedicating my next year to Kodachrome photography. My ever-growing gallery can be seen here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelraso/sets/72157622276548474/
With the limited supply of fresh 126 cartridge film, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that many 126 film shooters have been loading 35mm film into their old 126 film cartridges. I was thrilled to find a video on YouTube that explained the process.
I was curious and decided to have a go at it. My camera of choice is the Keystone 125x Auto-Instant camera. I had a very old roll of Kodak 126 film and decided to sacrifice the old film in order to utilize the cartridge and load it with fresh 35mm Kodak Portra 160vc. I already owned a film changing bag, so I was ready to go. Out of the 35mm magazine and into the 126 cartridge. Once shot I removed the film from the cartridge and put the film into a re-usable 35mm magazine and off to the lab it went. My 126 cartridge can now be used over and over.
A really fun project. Give it a try. 126 Instamatic cameras and cartridges are very inexpensive to purchase from e-bay.
Some pleasing results from the 126 modified camera on courtesy of the kind folks during Pizza Friday at Pop Cinema Studios. Yumm.
Speaking of expired film, I’m well underway on contributing images to Dan Whitman’s OLD FILM PROJECT on Flickr.com
It’s been a great opportunity to shoot on black and white film – something that I have avoided my entire life. I’ve always shot color, so the project is an excellent “opposite” to my year-long commitment to Kodachrome.
I was sent eight rolls of EFKE KB 21 Black and White Negative Film (expired 4/1977). The film is age-defying and yielded impressive blacks.
After seven months of producing and co-hosting (with John Fedele) the Alternative Cinema Podcast (www.AlternativeCinemaPodcast.com ), the natural progression was to launch a Film Photography Podcast – which I did on October 15th. I’ve worked with photographer Duane Polcou so many, many times in the past on feature film productions that he was my natural choice to co-host. His knowledge of medium and large format film photography is a nice contract to my quirky DIY 110, 126 and 35mm photo style.
We launched on October 15th on iTunes with great feedback from listeners. Hope you’ll listen too.
When Flickr member Daniel Whitman found 400 rolls of dated black & white film he decided to start a community group called Old Film Project and give the film away!
Flickr members from around the world joined the group and received 8 rolls of the old film free of charge - under the condition that they will shoot the film as part of groups projects and themes.
I joined in September 2009. I saw it as a unique and fun opportunity to create some great images (I hope) and interact with other photographers around the world.
The film is Kodak and Efke brand and expired anywhere from 1975 to 1981. Very old, indeed.
The "Old Film Project" can be found at: www.flickr.com/groups/1173298@N20/
Pictured above: Yashica 35-ME Camera EFKE KB21 B&W Film (expired 1977) Image shot 9/15/2009 with Canon AE-1 Program Fujicolor Superia X-Tra 400 Color Print Film
42nd Street Pete and filmmaker Carter Stevens visited the studio last week to record a DVD commentary track for the upcoming release of Carter's 1980 film "Wicked Schoolgirls." Perfect photo op to shoot with my Canon AE-1.
Image above shot with Kodak Porta 160vc (expired 12/2008). Canon AE-1. Canon 50mm Lens. Canon 199A Flash.
Above: Self portrait using my Canon AE-1 on a tripod (24mm Canon FD lens).
I used "dollar store" film called Memories.
It's a 200asa color print film and yields quite a bit of grain. I removed the color electronically using Photoshop 7 for Windows XP.
The "Memories" film was so inexpensive that I purchased 90 rolls. The film currently resides in my freezer.
