The shape of Mushrooms; Art, Analogue and Me.

I guess I’m lucky.. I started with Art and design school with learning black and white photography; printing in the darkroom. Along with shooting film I painted and learned how to do fashion design. I learned digital and graphic design because at the same time film and cameras became expired and obsolete. (Yes I’m old)…It was so fast, how those little phones with cameras took on a whole new meaning and to carry a lightweight digital camera with only 5 megapixels was the trend of the times. But I missed the darkroom too much… and you just adjusted to life’s many tandem styles.

The only option left was to send in assignments by sd cards and the old usb sticks. (What a pain that was!!!)

I cried when I went in to get a pack of Polaroid film and the store clerk said “We don’t sell it anymore!!” I was able to get a few shots of my children as babies and they are by far my favourite pics today.

And today.. I shoot film… my iPhone is my quick memory-maker but all my vintage cameras are the true hallmarks of adventure in my life. The whole thrill of hunting for old cameras, expired film and paper is exciting and the prospects of using them is an experience that is other worldly for me because everything takes time and that’s where part of the creative artist in you awakens. If you are inspired go for it.

I’ve slowly taught my children to use film cameras from carefully putting in the film, and using the simple settings to help gently agitate the developing tank and using a timer…. (They love it)…all the print processing and the timing of everything gives them that space of hanging out with me without a phone, laptop or iPad to withdraw their attention. Sometimes I think they crave to be in the darkroom. Of course they are learning a new skill; one with opportunities for very artistic endeavours that their own peers would never have a grasp of how much fun this really is or understand that the image is actually in your head. And that you can actually hold that information in your hand at the end that was artfully controlled by you and not a computer.

It really has awakened their realm of imagination in my tiny darkroom for making magic.

All you need is light!!

They can’t believe a light sensitive card can be developed in chemicals that produce extraordinary pictures done by holding and pressing a shutter button of a camera.

Everyday I look forward to snapping up more pieces of history; shooting film, developing and printing something truly artistic. (Don’t get me wrong I still get pictures out of focused, over exposed or the fixer is used up its life…but that’s the process of learning from mistakes).

And I’m passionate about film photography in every single way.

If you haven’t been in a darkroom or made your own darkroom which need not be expensive at all…you really are missing the essence of something truly artful and creative.

My darkroom is tiny but workable, clean and has the bare basics of what I need. An old enlarger, 3 to 4 trays with smaller containers inside as I only print small sized prints, expired paper to practice on; scissors to cut card, handmade dodging tools, a set of ilford filters and a sink with running water. A red safety light…dark curtains to block out the light. (Not much at all and the chemicals stay in a box)…..we can save that for another story.

Until next time

Regards: Dane with a camera. Inger