Why I switched to film...a joyous moment.

[michaelm6]

This...this is why I switched to film. I am in love with the feel of film...so rich and full of life and character. And what a joy it is to just meter one time and then breathe. Thinking only about what's right in front of me. I love shooting this way...

I was so sick of wading through 300 frames to find 10 keepers. Digital makes snapping away so simple, and so thoughtless, that I actually would be become anxious during shoots.

I got 20 keepers out of 32 shots with my girlfriend this weekend (I had 4 shots of another person all used up). I was just able to slow down and really focus on my framing and wait for that moment. It was a joy.

M6 and Zeiss Planar f/2
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7236477930_369f7bb996_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236477930/)
In Black and White.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236477930/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7236475896_ab7de1569c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236475896/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236475896/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7238/7236473982_1c5d3dec3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236473982/)
I See You... (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236473982/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7236469382_1436335f45_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236469382/)
Madelena and the Pond (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7236469382/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

[PointOmega]

Same thing happened to me yesterday! Great shots...

[Vickko]

Wow, beautiful shots. I love the bokeh on the second photo.

Yeah, funny with film vs digital. When I shoot a crappy or boring film shot, I think that I've wasted money. Not so with digital, but in reality, all I've done is prepaid for those crappy digital shots. For poor film shots, it is PAYGO.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

Vick

[tuanvinh2000]

i shoot the same number of frames on film or digital. :) i think it's really about restricting yourself, asking yourself question "will i delete this frame after i take it?" then why bother taking it. then you dont have to scroll through 300 pics. but very nice pictures! i do love films as well.

[damien.murphy]

Lovely shots, and know what you mean. A back to basics camera with the minimal of controls seems to free me up to just see, frame and shoot, removing superfluous distractions in the shooting process for me. My digital cameras seem full of distractions, and its not really a film vs digital thing, as I would feel similarly about a feature packed film slr like an F6/ F100. As David Hurn said, it really all comes down to where you stand, and when you push the shutter :)

[KenR]

Most of feel the same way. With digital you just click and click with the attitude that if it isn't great you can fix it with Photoshop. With 35mm there is expense and time involved so every shot has to count, but with medium format it's even more intense. With only 12 exposures on 6x6 and only 8 with 6x9 and a lot of time and effort just to change rolls, you have to make every shot truly count. I slow down and think and then think again - exposure and focus ok? How 'bout the background? And so on - so that most of find that the percentage of keepers is higher with the larger formats.

[michaelm6]

i shoot the same number of frames on film or digital. :) i think it's really about restricting yourself, asking yourself question "will i delete this frame after i take it?" then why bother taking it. then you dont have to scroll through 300 pics. but very nice pictures! i do love films as well.

You're exactly right. I was just having an impossible time telling myself. That's why I've gone film. I need to train myself to slow down. This really helps.

[michaelm6]

Most of feel the same way. With digital you just click and click with the attitude that if it isn't great you can fix it with Photoshop. With 35mm there is expense and time involved so every shot has to count, but with medium format it's even more intense. With only 12 exposures on 6x6 and only 8 with 6x9 and a lot of time and effort just to change rolls, you have to make every shot truly count. I slow down and think and then think again - exposure and focus ok? How 'bout the background? And so on - so that most of find that the percentage of keepers is higher with the larger formats.

Well said, and good point about what's going on in the rest of the frame (the background). It really does force you to slow down and really LOOK at what's going on in the frame. And exposure is so important, but so simple. With digital, I found that I was 'chasing the needle' and trying to perfect my exposures. Plus there's so much to look at in the viewfinder. All of those focus points, your ISO, your shutter and your aperture...it's almost hard to really focus on the only important thing in the finder - your subject. I love the simplicity of it all.

[michaelm6]

Wow, beautiful shots. I love the bokeh on the second photo.

Yeah, funny with film vs digital. When I shoot a crappy or boring film shot, I think that I've wasted money. Not so with digital, but in reality, all I've done is prepaid for those crappy digital shots. For poor film shots, it is PAYGO.

Thanks for sharing your photos.

Vick

Thanks a lot Vick. I agree with the whole pay per shot thing. Sort of why I associate digital with 'cheap'. Taking the shot is free. Its paid for. Film - make it count!

[Trius]

You're exactly right. I was just having an impossible time telling myself. That's why I've gone film. I need to train myself to slow down. This really helps.
Yes. It is about practice. Regardless of what theory others may promote, it is whatever practice helps you/one to realize what you know to be authentic/real

[michaelm6]

Yes. It is about practice. Regardless of what theory others may promote, it is whatever practice helps you/one to realize what you know to be authentic/real

Agreed. Practice and a little push both help tremendously.

Here are a couple more from the roll..

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/7237426768_0590d597f5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237426768/)
Pretty Lady (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237426768/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7212/7237425280_f3ebb12136_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237425280/)
Pose.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237425280/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

slightly out of focus...but I like this shot. I'm falling in love with this little Zeiss Planar. Sharp sharp sharp...all of these are shot wide open.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5039/7237423950_d432e58653_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237423950/)
You are Alive on Film (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7237423950/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

[loquax ludens]

Those are very nice portraits. What film was it?

[michaelm6]

Those are very nice portraits. What film was it?

Thanks very much. Its Kodak Portra 400. I scanned it with an Epson V500 to DNG files and then converted a few to black and white. Adjusted levels and exposure...some color balancing and that's about it.

[michaelm6]

last one from the set...thanks everyone

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7093/7238559394_911bf9cafe_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7238559394/)
Through the Grass (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7238559394/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

[matt335]

beautiful said and photographed Michael. well done !!

[donz]

I like the result out of it..do u process ur film on ur own ? and scanne them ?

[donz]

oh yes forget to congratulate u for having such a good looking lady in ur life :)

[michaelm6]

I like the result out of it..do u process ur film on ur own ? and scanne them ?

Thank you! I had the film developed and then I scanned it with an Epson V500 to DNG. I played with exposure and white balance and then imported into PS CS6 and ran some actions that I've worked on. Mostly it just plays with levels, which I then tweak a bit. I messed with the color balance a little. I spend about 5-6 minutes per image. Just little tweaks.

[michaelm6]

oh yes forget to congratulate u for having such a good looking lady in ur life :)

Yeah I know I'm a lucky guy! Thanks!

[michaelm6]

I lied..one more!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5117/7243258864_cb4d8ecaa5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7243258864/)
Portrait (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7243258864/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

[jasonhumor]

Most of feel the same way. With digital you just click and click with the attitude that if it isn't great you can fix it with Photoshop. With 35mm there is expense and time involved so every shot has to count, but with medium format it's even more intense. With only 12 exposures on 6x6 and only 8 with 6x9 and a lot of time and effort just to change rolls, you have to make every shot truly count. I slow down and think and then think again - exposure and focus ok? How 'bout the background? And so on - so that most of find that the percentage of keepers is higher with the larger formats.
I'm totally agreeing with it too. Just wait until the moment is coming up.

[Dave Jenkins]

So, Michael, is it film you're in love with?;)

[michaelm6]

So, Michael, is it film you're in love with?;)

haha, that point is debatable Dave...

[bobby_novatron]

Great photos! Glad to hear you're enjoying shooting film ... I had the same discovery about 2 years ago and I've never looked back -- for all the same reasons you mentioned.

You're also really lucky to have such a willing (and beautiful) model!

[Haigh]

Lovely images. Thanks for them.

[Jobin]

Great results, thanks for sharing. The m6, planar, portra and a great looking model is hard to beat!

[Archiver]

These photos are great. The composition and colours are great, the bokeh is sweet, and your girlfriend is lovely. Interestingly, these photos have something of an 80's look to them; perhaps it is your girlfriend's hair and off-the-shoulder horizontal striped top. Very Sheena Easton.

[michaelm6]

These photos are great. The composition and colours are great, the bokeh is sweet, and your girlfriend is lovely. Interestingly, these photos have something of an 80's look to them; perhaps it is your girlfriend's hair and off-the-shoulder horizontal striped top. Very Sheena Easton.

Agreed. The pink and the hair....totally 80's!

Here are a couple off of my first roll of Tri-X 400, shot at 800..

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7299023330_d7eed1d719_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7299023330/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7299023330/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7097/7298943408_b54a7eb206_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7298943408/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7298943408/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8015/7298942566_26a1628287_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7298942566/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7298942566/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr

[michaelm6]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7077/7299743200_ddfa7efd38_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7299743200/)
madelena eyes.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelhulcher/7299743200/) by Michael Hulcher (http://www.flickr.com/people/michaelhulcher/), on Flickr