I’m a pretty decisive guy. When I make up my mind I’m pretty much done thinking about it, much to the dismay of some people who know me (Hi honey!), but that does pose a problem when I do a reversal on a prior position. It doesn’t happen often so I wanted to be a good guy and go public about this.
Ya see a while ago I made a statement that included the word "never" and when never actually happens, as Ricky Ricardo would say "There’s gonna be some ‘splainin’ to do!". And I do.
Well, uh, her name is Bessa and I’m really taken by her. She’s exactly what I want: cute, quiet, a sharp stylish little German who turns heads. Yes folks I said that I’d never do it but I have and I’m wondering why it took me so long to do this. I’m shooting film again. Yes, it’s true so stop hyperventilating. I said that I’d never shoot anything but digital but my Seagul 6×6 got me liking the whole analog look once more. But this time I’m not dusting off my film Nikons but rather I bought a little Voigtlander Bessa-R range finder. Can you imagine that after making photos all this time I’ve never worked with a rangefinder? Well there was that one time when I was 11 but that doesn’t really count. The bottom line is that much like the Seagul, if there is no short deadline and it would look cool on film – why not?
I will say that it’s an interesting thing not to have an LCD to chimp on but I don’t mind. It all about trusting your photo instincts and staying in the groove. I think that this is the beginning of something ver-a kuhl!
This is my good buddy Ben. Shot on my first roll of film through the Bessa. I didn’t intend it to be a diptych but these are the actual back to back frames I shot while we had lunch yesterday. How odd?
Technicals: Voigtlander Bessa-R, Voightlander 35mm f/2.5 lens @ f/2.8 1/30 Ilford HP5+ film developed in AGFA Rodinal 1:50.