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Monday, April 2, 2012

Photo Heart Connection - March

Mukilteo Beach
This photo is taken with Ilford Super 400 film and my old Nikon 401.  I've been playing around with film this year.  I wanted to better my eye and be more cognizant of framing my photos and really paying attention to what I'm doing.  Film does that for me.  I have 24 frames and each one needs to be thoughtfully taken.  Out of habit, I take a photo and immediately look at the back of the camera to see my shot.  However, there is no feedback with film - no way to make adjustments.  Its all guesswork for me.  I have to wait until the entire roll is taken and then developed.    I always "go for it" - I get the entire roll printed 4x6.  I want to see them all - good or bad. 
I can't tell you how I feel when I open the photo envelope after picking up the prints.  The anticipation of seeing how I did.  The excitement of looking through them as I sit in the car.  Then I think about them on the way home.  I lay them out on the dining room table when I get home.  I pick my favorites, I put the worse ones in a pile to the side.  Each one is special - each one holds meaning for me.  Maybe its a little nostalgia, or maybe its the way that film in its grainy goodness just makes photos a little different for me.
This photo is my photo-heart connection pick this month.  It was a cool day, not windy and not really sunny either.  I was perfect in its own way.  This photo speaks to me like a whisper of days gone by.  When I was a kid and we would spend endless hours like this at the beach.  No agenda - just fun.  Our imaginations would run wild with mermaids, sandcastles and whatever else we could dream up.  I watched these kids for a while before taking this photo.  Any one of them, was just like I had been. 

And today is Pay It Forward Monday - where you give a shout out and a *clap*clap* to someone for the great things they are doing.  Last week I gave a shout out to Justine who came up with this great idea.  This week - a shout out to Kat of Kat Eye Studio.  She runs this photo-heart connection and inspires us all with her photo love blog, e-courses, post card exchanges and all the other amazing things that she brings to us from her studio.  Next Monday and all the rest, I urge you to climb on board with Pay It Forward Monday and spread some love out there in blog land.
  
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18 comments:

  1. JustineApril 2, 2012 at 3:53 AM

    Do you know I feel exactly the same way about the anticipation of opening the film package when it comes back from the developers? there is something so tactile and wonderful about the whole film process. I have just ordered some 400 ilford, can't wait to use it. I absolutely love this shot here, I agree about the grain, isn't film awesome? have you tried the ilford delta 3200 yet?

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  2. Kathryn DycheApril 2, 2012 at 12:28 PM

    It's been a long time since I shot with film but I do remember that feeling of anticipating waiting to see what I'd captured. I also love the beach and have many wonderful childhood memories of holidays spent on one.

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  3. paulineApril 2, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Beautiful photo... it looks so peaceful. I love that it's in black & white.
    And i so understand the anticipation of opening the print envelope!!
    you done good.... :-)
    xoxo

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  4. ginaApril 2, 2012 at 1:04 PM

    This image has that wonderful retro look and feel....could have been taken 60 years ago! Your post brought back memories of developing my black and white photos in my closet in our apartment in Boston -- there was always so much excitement as the images came to life. Great post, Marji!

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  5. Lynn CohenApril 2, 2012 at 4:19 PM

    Nice.

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  6. Lisa GordonApril 2, 2012 at 4:48 PM

    There is nothing quite like film, and this is a beautiful example of why.
    Great image!

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  7. AnnaApril 2, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    Your description of the film taking, anticipation, and final viewing /holding of your captures is intriguing and enchanting. Many folks seem to have the same feelings and reverence for using film. The charm and timelessness of your image was worth the wait and expense! There seems to be softer value contrasts in film which adds to its loveliness. Wonderful capture for PHC!

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  8. leanne can blogApril 2, 2012 at 5:47 PM

    Wonderful image & a reminder of those happy memories from your childhood that you shared in your words.

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  9. Cathy H.April 2, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    I love this image and your words! A beautiful timeless image! You brought back the memories of opening those photo packages, not even waiting to get home to look at them!

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  10. Deborah TischApril 2, 2012 at 6:19 PM

    Like so many others who have commented here, I have to say you brought back my own memories of using film, anticipating the results, and opening that envelope in the car. Then your image and the words/thoughts about the kids on that beach..I was right there with you. This is a great example of the photo-heart connection that calls to us.

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  11. Simon April 3, 2012 at 5:59 AM

    I like the analogy of remembering child-like play at the beach-with remembering taking film-which now holds surprise and anticipation, much like a child's visit to the beach. A wonderful pairing of thoughts and feelings. I like in the image how each child is exploring in their own way.

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  12. ElsieApril 3, 2012 at 7:53 AM

    Love this photo, great you used analoog film, and bring back that good memory of making my own pictures in my darkroom.

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  13. Kat SlomaApril 3, 2012 at 8:57 AM

    Marji, thank you so much for the Pay It Forward shout out this week! I appreciate your lovely words. I so enjoy photography and connecting with everyone online. My heart is full of happiness when I hear that it means something to others too. It is great to have you linking this image, and your experience with film, in to the Photo-Heart Connection. I think your experience with film - the intention you have to bring, the specialness of each image, the magic of seeing what comes out - are what heart connections are made of. I love this image, there are so many layers and lines. It reminds me of the beauty to be found in grey days at the coast, I've had many of my own here in Oregon. Thank you so much for sharing!

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  14. Kim StevensApril 3, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Oh yes, I can remember picking up the photos and looking through them with such excitement! Your image tells a story for sure!

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  15. UnknownApril 3, 2012 at 1:27 PM

    That took me back to the black & whites of the early 60's thank you for a trip down memory lane... and I plan on checking out this pay it forward Monday.. Nothing makes me feel better when I can bring a smile to another soul.

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  16. SusanApril 3, 2012 at 3:33 PM

    I went back to school a few semesters back and had the opportunity to work with black and white film in the darkroom. What a wonderful experience. I still find myself checking the back of my film cameras to see the image after I have been away from it for a while though, its difficult to train yourself away from that instant gratification. Your image is lovely, that quality that film gives can't be mistaken. I hope to see more.

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  17. ZenaApril 4, 2012 at 7:23 AM

    I do remember those feelings... I didn´t love so much photography when I had to use analog film, like today but I think is not due to film itself but to my own life, now I think I would like to experience again those feelings... beautiful image

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  18. GinnyApril 4, 2012 at 5:17 PM

    I too remember how excited we were when we picked up our pictures at the drug store. We couldn't wait to get to the car to see what we had captured.
    Your picture of the beach is timeless. That could have been me many many years ago or my grandsons last week. Thank you for sharing both your thoughts and your picture.

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