A whole different animal

I was an editor of my high school yearbook. Aren't you impressed? I only mention this because that year (1996-97!) I learned how to operate a film camera, how to load and develop film, and how to make prints in the darkroom. Really invaluable skills. Seriously. For someone like me.

Now, in the digital age, which I have belonged to since, eh, the mid-90s, those skills have recessed in my brain. Along with other things.

But I am re-learning how a manual camera works and I feel a bit like a senior citizen trying to navigate the internets.

A family member generously gave two classic film cameras to me and I am afraid excited they will become my new obsession.

From what I've been able to find online, they're from the 60s and 70s and they are in mint condition. I am a lucky girl.

Instead of snapping 50 photos and deciding which one of the bunch I can sufficiently manipulate in PhotoShop, I have to think carefully about each shot. This is a good thing.

I have to play with the depth of focus and stop to think about what f/stop I need. I love it.

I have to wind the film to the next exposure and then I get to hear the shutter....CLICK. Awesome.

If my photos eventually turn out anything like these, I will be happy.

I know it will come more naturally as I get used to using them, but right now I am just enjoying learning a new gig.

The end product is slow. Like slow food. So I am making notes on the settings I use and trying to shoot different things, seeing what works. Once I get a few rolls finished I will send them off and inspect the results.