Remember Those Days With 35mm Film Photography?

As of writing this line, it has been exactly 10 years since I last used any rolls of 35mm films. 
Remember how we used to bring tonnes of them when we went travelling.  You would have the assorted ISO 100 or 200 for normal shooting and also chucked in a couple of ISO 400 just to play safe.  We either had 24 or 36 shots in a roll and remember that lucky feeling if we were able to steal 1 or 2 extra at the very end?



Having them developed was a big event too, so as arranging them in some chronological order.  While reluctantly placing them in what I thought were the world's most tacky photo albums, mother never agree it was a problem because the albums were thrown in for free!   It could easily mean weeks before we got to view all the photos taken after a holiday but it was a sheer joy even with such lengthy anticipation.   


Too bad those borned after the 90s won't understand what this is all about because in this generation, anyone would demand to view anything taken right away, any object could have been taken from 10 different angles in a 10-shots-per-second interval.   If the LCD didn't give the desired result, one can DEL ALL and do it all over again!

With the digital photography having the majority of the marketshare, film photographers have become some sort of exotic beasts in the world of photography.  Nonetheless, I am sure you'd agree - how ever much technology has advanced, some things can never be replaced.  I am not saying either is superior.  It's like exchanging a laser-sharp sniper's rifer for a 2000-round-a-minute deadly assault weapon.


Film photography would be one of them because in my opinion, film captures more than just brilliant colours.  It is able to give a dimension that DSLR cannot - the associated temperature, the warmth, the humanity.  

My Go-Retro Tee!  From Paul Smith 

When To Go Over To The Dark Side?

As an amateur, I am always interested to know at what point those who use full frame made the switch from crop bodies, APS-C cameras.  As I was told, "Once you change you will never look back."

That definitely sounds like the dark side to me. 

Does one see much difference in quality? Sometimes I think of trying it by maybe buying a used body online, but the added expense of replacing lenses weighs heavily in the balance $$.  Plus - the added physical weight of the body, I really need some serious convincing to go to that route still.  

At the meantime, selling my kit lens for a 24-70mm F/2.8; 50mm F/1.8 upgraded to F/1.4 - should do the trick for now.

Go Black & White

They say the best camera is the one you have with you.  If you have a great shot in sight, but don't have the time to grab your DSLR or point-and-shoot, you will just have to make do with your phone's camera.  Most often than not though, that results in dull photos that are barely worth looking at later on.

Don't despair.  You can certainly do better.

If minor colour edits aren't helping at all, you can always go try black and white or sepia. This will get rid of any major colour issues your picture has, and can salvage a dull picture. 

Sure, you still may not have colour, but you can make the lack of colour look more intentional and less like you're just using a bad camera.

  
Something I discovered only recently!





 

Blur Or Not To Blur?

I was discussing the preferred selection depth of field (DOF) with a friend over coffee and that was when I realised opinions can be quite subjective. 

The decision can be truly a matter of personal preference when trying to determine the appropriate use of DOF to enhance an effect in a photo.

One thing is certain though - no one would say no to a smaller f-stop number!


Let's do an experiment here.  Which photo do you prefer?

Creativity After A Rain Bath?

It was pouring dogs and cats out there but my mind was not at all disturbed by it.  

On the contrary, I decided to tune in and bathe in the rhythm of the rain, enjoyed a bit of reading, and was able to find a sense of tranquility very shortly after. 

What also came out of the rain bath, was a fair bit of creativity - hence this image creation, how about I called it "Me & Myself In The Mirror"?

Regrets I have a few

I did something that I regret, or precisely, I should say, I didn't do something and therefore I am regretting big time right now.

And it is not the first time.

When I packed for my trip, I was contemplating whether to bring my 70-300mm and the standard 50mm, along with the 17-40mm.

At first, I pulled out the 70-300mm as I thought that would be unnecessary.  Guess what...at the last minute, even the 50mm was withdrawn!  Tripod was totally out of the picture from the beginning of course, and guess what went in my rucksack instead? A brolly!

Yes, a brolly.  I heard you laughed.

That was where it all went wrong.  If weight was my concern, why would I bring a brolly which you knew I won't use in this sort of weather anyway.  I must be out of my mind!

I think I have to face the fact that if I am ever going to be serious about photography, I should be prepared to be bogged down by weights.

I am going to carry EVERYTHING with me next time, so this disappointed look of mine won't happen again!