The story of my film journey spans several decades… But this story starts with a recent podcast. And if you know me, you know I am a podcast junkie. I am a geeky nerd when it comes to anything I am passionate about. I want to know and do it all. And podcasts are one of the one thousand ways to gain knowledge for free in this day and age. My philosophy is that applied knowledge is power as quoted by Eric Thomas, Dale Carniege, Rachel Hollis and several others. This is literally how I became a dance photographer and a mentor. But this journal is my film journey.
As a side note, here is a list of my three favorite podcasts. Oh there are more, many more, but these are my “do not miss” podcasts.
But I digress. Back to the story.
Driving to an appointment the We Got You Podcast episode with Casi Yost titled “The Importance of Film Photography” came on. I didn’t think much of it as I was not a film photographer. Film photography was for photographers way more creative than I was. It was for photographers who had more time to learn. Film photography was for the elite, the people I look up to but certainly not for me, at least not at a professional level.
A Trip Back in Time of My Film Journey
Don’t get me wrong, my film journey started in high school. I began with film around 1988. Back in those days, there was no such thing as a digital camera. I remember going to working at Dillons Food Stores as a high school checker and sacker, and spending my paycheck on film. I remember the excitement I would feel in that check out line, ready to get home and take pictures.
My Return to Film
But it was Casi Yost, who is amazing, so I listened. If you all don’t know Casi Yost, here is her website.
I became enthralled. Casi spoke to all of my fears about film. She taught the listener about the cost or types of film cameras. She let us know the Kodak 400 Portra is the best film for portraits. I didn’t understand how the processing worked. Did I end up with negatives? Is it just for prints? Or is there some sort of digital option? I learned all the details.
Hours and days were passing but I was unable to get the podcast and the idea of film out of my head. I spent the next week, researching cameras, film, places to purchase, places to develop, and becoming part of on-line film communities. In the next few days, my camera and film arrived. I spent rolls and rolls of film testing and honing my skills. Excitedly waiting for each roll to return so I could determine what I did right and what I could do better. That day, in a 36-minute podcast, my film journey restarted.
