Not the Same Old Picture
Why do people like golf? It could be the fresh air, though I doubt it. My bet is because it’s enjoyable yet difficult to master. You’re always in the game, but seldom on top of it.
I remember learning to shoot medium format and developing the film myself. When I held that first successful print in my hands, a feeling of joy swelled inside of me. I stood a little taller.
The truth is, however, that one shining moment cost me rolls of 120 Tri-X and boxes of enlarging paper. Like golf, analog photography is fun, but hard.
Digital photography, on the other hand, is easy. You don’t really have to think about exposure or color balance. Frame the shot, take the picture, and post it on Instagram.
Over time, it all becomes so second nature, like driving the family sedan or popping a burrito in to the microwave.
I’m not saying that photographers should buy analog cameras and develop film themselves, any more than I’m recommending they ride horses to work or churn their own butter.
We can use modern tools to invigorate our photography and get those creative juices flowing. Here are three suggestions for doing so.
Shoot in Black and White — What is it about monochrome pictures that viewers find so compelling? It’s almost as if there’s a strand of DNA connecting us to these shots.
Every camera has the ability to capture in Black and White. If you have an iPhone, go to the camera app, tap on Filters in the upper right corner, and start with Silvertone. On my Fujifilm X100V, I choose the Acros+Y film simulation.
Somewhere in your camera is a similar option. Find it and spend an afternoon seeing the world in through this monochromatic eye. It’s fascinating.
Experiment with Digital Infrared — Analog IR is a total pain in the arse. Digital infrared is an acid trip without the hangover. You can capture one frame and process it a dozen different ways, each unique from the other.
I recommend starting with the Hoya R72 filter and a regular digital camera. You can read more about this process in my article, B&W Infrared Photography with an R72 Filter. If you get hooked, as I did, there’s an entire world of infrared tools and techniques to explore…
