my love letter to film photography
Let's all slow down
After years and years of shooting on a large DSLR I started to get really bored with all the options. I found that shooting digital felt temporary and rushed. Instead of constructing beautiful images I was just feverishly snapping. While there is good cause for that type of work, I wanted to slow down. I didn't want the option of taking hundreds of photos to fill up my memory card because that meant I had to sift through all of them when I got back to my computer. There were too many photos, too many processing styles and too many opportunities to be lazy.
I decided to change my perspective on photography and bought my first medium format film camera last summer. I bought a Bronica which as all MF cameras takes 120 film with a roll of 12 shots. Only 12 unforgiving, un-editable shots. Instead of clicking away I had to think, compose, light and capture moments in a paced and thoughtful way. Using a Bronica means metering the light then reflecting that exposure on the mechanics of the camera, then focusing the subject and then finally holding the camera still enough to hit the shutter....GA-GLUNK!
In a world full of instant everything, one-day shipping, snapchatting and impatience I wanted at least my art to slow the hell down. Find beauty in the process discovering that every shot counts. No do-overs or reshoots with fake lighting and over-processed results. But instead, the true magnificence of what photography and really humanity used to be and still can.
In all of my work I've always honored the person. I love capturing people and how their souls are translated through the lens of a camera. This project is showing the people that I've been blessed to meet in hopes to show the world how to slow down.
All of these portraits are "out of 120" film taken with Portra 400. No editing or retouching.
This is my love letter to film photography...
Photos above by Liang Ge and Patrick Aubin
I'd love to meet you, take your portrait and listen to your story. Feel free to email me to say hi or ask any questions. I promise I don't bite! egilmore11@gmail.com
People that inspire me:
Beyonce
Brock Sanders
Chris Connolly
Christophe Tauziet
Christmas Elk
Jenna Faye
Craig Shimala