I started my film photography journey with a Minolta Hi-Matic AF and a roll of Kodak Gold. After months of researching different film cameras and searching for the perfect “look” I decided to take the plunge and purchase my first film camera. I’ve been doing photography for a few years with a bulky Canon (that I love) and found that I often edited my photos to look like film. So it was a natural transition to invest in a 2nd camera for film photography after all of these years. My photography practice has primarily been meditative and a means of collecting reference photos for paintings, and I’ve found that film helps me to capture the perspective and aesthetic I am hoping to share and emulate.
In this article you’ll find (almost) the full collection of images from my first roll of film, the good and the bad, excluding a few duds and photos of family. As I continue becoming more familiar with my Minolta, I plan to keep sharing the results from each roll of film as I get them developed. Enjoy!
Minolta Hi-Matic Af // Kodak Gold
At the Museum
January 2024
Honorable mention
The photographs from this morning at the museum are the ones I enjoyed most from this roll, but this one is by far my favorite. I especially enjoy capturing the man mid crosswalk and the soft colors and tones of this image.
Morning Trips
January 2024
Honorable mention
Capturing simple, everyday moments, particularly those set indoors, is a realm I’m not often inclined towards photographing. I love photographing nature and manmade structures, so I tend to avoid taking pictures of what may be considered mundane. However, this midday image I took while cleaning the apartment and doing laundry felt as if I was touching on something truly beautiful.
Out and About
February 2024
Honorable mention
While trying to take a picture of skateboarders, I underestimated my distance and snapped this really lovely and blurry shot of a tree branch. The colors and abstract nature of this picture made it one of my favorites.
Final Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by the amazing colors and tones captured by this camera, but it will take some time to get use to the delicate nature of film photography. The ability to reference an image so I can adjust until it’s just right is something that I’ve definitely become dependent on with my canon. However, there is an excitement in the mystery and trust that comes with film. As I work on my 2nd roll of film, I hope to capture some creative and interesting subjects. Overall, this first roll has been enjoyable and rewarding. See you in the next one!
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