Over the last several years, thanks to digital photography and it's viral behavior, I've seen my LF film world quickly recede, causing increasing concern.
Most recently it has been the discontinuation of the Kodak 5L E6 kit and my supplier for all my chrome films, fujilab.co.uk. They announced that they can no longer ship overseas. I know there are still options to get the stuff that I use, but it is becoming a nuisance trying to find reputable and consistent suppliers. My local stores and labs have thinned out accordingly and are employed by kids that have no idea what film and film related products and accessories are anymore. "What do you mean I can't stare at the back of the camera and see the image I just shot?" I shoot mainly transparency films in 120, 4x5 and hopefully 8x10 (I am building a camera right now). But the future is looking scary.
For a good 2 years now I had to put my large scale landscape photography on hold because of my union work as a camera assistant for movies and TV. Not surprisingly, digital has invaded this area quite successfully too. I remember a time (flashback 5 years) when all major productions were shot on film. I got into photography and film because of my love of the medium. Today, I use digital at work because I have to. I have no problem learning the medium and using it, but now it really does feel like 'work'. There isn't that sense of joy and passion that I used to have when working on a film project.
As for my photography I will never give up shooting film, especially LF. If that sad day should come, I'd probably try to manufacture the stuff myself if I could.
I'd like to hear anyone else's stories on the changes in their film world and how they're coping with it. If you shoot large format colour chromes and you happen to process them yourself in a Jobo Autolab or similar device then please let me know how you are keeping up. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
Most recently it has been the discontinuation of the Kodak 5L E6 kit and my supplier for all my chrome films, fujilab.co.uk. They announced that they can no longer ship overseas. I know there are still options to get the stuff that I use, but it is becoming a nuisance trying to find reputable and consistent suppliers. My local stores and labs have thinned out accordingly and are employed by kids that have no idea what film and film related products and accessories are anymore. "What do you mean I can't stare at the back of the camera and see the image I just shot?" I shoot mainly transparency films in 120, 4x5 and hopefully 8x10 (I am building a camera right now). But the future is looking scary.
For a good 2 years now I had to put my large scale landscape photography on hold because of my union work as a camera assistant for movies and TV. Not surprisingly, digital has invaded this area quite successfully too. I remember a time (flashback 5 years) when all major productions were shot on film. I got into photography and film because of my love of the medium. Today, I use digital at work because I have to. I have no problem learning the medium and using it, but now it really does feel like 'work'. There isn't that sense of joy and passion that I used to have when working on a film project.
As for my photography I will never give up shooting film, especially LF. If that sad day should come, I'd probably try to manufacture the stuff myself if I could.
I'd like to hear anyone else's stories on the changes in their film world and how they're coping with it. If you shoot large format colour chromes and you happen to process them yourself in a Jobo Autolab or similar device then please let me know how you are keeping up. I'd love to hear what you have to say.
