Allison (Photography Student at Gilbert High School)
How long have you been involved with film photography?
Her response? 1 year
Do you know a lot about the history of film photography?
Her response? Yes, in my photography class we spent the first few weeks studying in depth, the history of film photography and all the people who influenced it
How often do you work in a dark room?
Her response? Everyday unless I am developing film outside of the main dark room or taking photographs with the camera.
What are the difficulties of film photography and working in the dark room?
Her response? The aperture and shutter speed, knowing if it works. I used to overexpose film a lot. In the dark room, it is hard knowing if the time is right. You have to do multiple test trials before you get the correct timing. This can get tedious and annoying.
Why do you think that film photography is kind of a “dead art”?
Her response? Nobody uses film photography anymore because there are quicker methods of taking pictures. Everything we do now is digital, on our phones, on our computers, there is no need to sit in a room and develop film that you don’t even know is going to work out
Do you take portraits?
Her response? Yes, I have taken part in many projects that I have to take portraits. I usually take them of my sisters and try to make them dramatic as possible. I think it is so cool to capture somebody’s emotions in a picture. In portraits you are supposed to be able to tell how the subject is feeling. If they are happy, they better look really happy. If they are sad, they better look miserable. It is hard sometimes to capture these feelings (especially the ones that aren’t so typical)
Is it hard to get the lighting correct when taking portraits?
Her response? It is at first. But after awhile it gets easy. You just have to learn how to read the light meter and position the subject in the correct spot.
What is the biggest difficulty while taking portraits?
Her response? I don’t think taking portraits is any harder than taking other photos. You do have to make sure your focus is right for the type of picture you want. For example, if you want to background to be blurred and the subject to be clear then there are specific steps you need to take.
What are some tips you have for me when I go into the dark room and try to develop?
Her response? Be patient. It does take awhile to figure things out, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Many of your pictures will not turn out right and you will have to try again. Just keep everything that you know in mind and keep working. Do not freak out or get stressed.
What are your favorite things about film photography?
Her response? I just love the process. I think it is so much cooler than instantly seeing the picture you took. It is like a mini surprise after you develop your photos and I love that feeling!
Would you rather work with film photography or digital?
Her response? For the art world, I would 100 percent pick film. It is so much more interesting and you can do so much more with it. However, for everyday life I would have to say digital. It is much more practical. So, It really depends what you are using it for
Do you have any favorite artists?
Her response? Honestly no.. I like a lot of different photographer’s work. It is impossible to pick a favorite because so many are inspirational. Just like I do not have a favorite song and I don’t have a favorite type of photography!
Allison (Photography Student at Gilbert High School)
How long have you been involved with film photography?
Her response? 1 year
Do you know a lot about the history of film photography?
Her response? Yes, in my photography class we spent the first few weeks studying in depth, the history of film photography and all the people who influenced it
How often do you work in a dark room?
Her response? Everyday unless I am developing film outside of the main dark room or taking photographs with the camera.
What are the difficulties of film photography and working in the dark room?
Her response? The aperture and shutter speed, knowing if it works. I used to overexpose film a lot. In the dark room, it is hard knowing if the time is right. You have to do multiple test trials before you get the correct timing. This can get tedious and annoying.
Why do you think that film photography is kind of a “dead art”?
Her response? Nobody uses film photography anymore because there are quicker methods of taking pictures. Everything we do now is digital, on our phones, on our computers, there is no need to sit in a room and develop film that you don’t even know is going to work out
Do you take portraits?
Her response? Yes, I have taken part in many projects that I have to take portraits. I usually take them of my sisters and try to make them dramatic as possible. I think it is so cool to capture somebody’s emotions in a picture. In portraits you are supposed to be able to tell how the subject is feeling. If they are happy, they better look really happy. If they are sad, they better look miserable. It is hard sometimes to capture these feelings (especially the ones that aren’t so typical)
Is it hard to get the lighting correct when taking portraits?
Her response? It is at first. But after awhile it gets easy. You just have to learn how to read the light meter and position the subject in the correct spot.
What is the biggest difficulty while taking portraits?
Her response? I don’t think taking portraits is any harder than taking other photos. You do have to make sure your focus is right for the type of picture you want. For example, if you want to background to be blurred and the subject to be clear then there are specific steps you need to take.
What are some tips you have for me when I go into the dark room and try to develop?
Her response? Be patient. It does take awhile to figure things out, especially if you are doing it for the first time. Many of your pictures will not turn out right and you will have to try again. Just keep everything that you know in mind and keep working. Do not freak out or get stressed.
What are your favorite things about film photography?
Her response? I just love the process. I think it is so much cooler than instantly seeing the picture you took. It is like a mini surprise after you develop your photos and I love that feeling!
Would you rather work with film photography or digital?
Her response? For the art world, I would 100 percent pick film. It is so much more interesting and you can do so much more with it. However, for everyday life I would have to say digital. It is much more practical. So, It really depends what you are using it for
Do you have any favorite artists?
Her response? Honestly no.. I like a lot of different photographer’s work. It is impossible to pick a favorite because so many are inspirational. Just like I do not have a favorite song and I don’t have a favorite type of photography!