In my world, film photography has not gone out of style.
leica summilux 35mm f1.4 pre-asph
I still prefer to use film for my photographs. Images are carved out of solid material by light, just as our planet is carved out of time. The layers of grain remind me of what the human world looks like. In today’s digital age, in the eyes of the average person, we photographers who use film are an apathetic bunch. However, indifference is not our true colors. Tonight, in the fall rain, I am looking through old photos under the lamp, exploring time, the world, and myself.
In the decade when traditional film production declined and many companies went bankrupt in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Lomography, a trendy form of photography, became immensely popular among young people worldwide. However, it was not until around 2012, when photography filters and a deluge of Lomo-style apps flooded the market for smartphones, that Lomography’s rampant growth was truly challenged.
Today, people can easily switch to various Lomo filters on their phones, without realizing that the exaggerated colors they admire actually come from Lomo film. Few people now seem to intentionally experiment with Lomo film, except for software engineers who need to simulate Lomo effects.
Warm Currents in the Air
What defines true Lomo photography? My conclusion is that at least one of the following must be present: a plastic camera body, expired film, or cross-processed slide film. Lomo cameras have cute plastic bodies that leak light and can use pinhole or plastic lenses to produce unexpectedly artistic effects. Expired color film can also create vintage or surreal colors, and some Lomo enthusiasts enjoy collecting various expired rolls. All slide film can actually be cross-processed, and this process yields an astonishing impact on contrast, grain, and colors, giving rise to a unique artistic effect.
Lomography X-Pro 200 is a slide film that can be processed as a color negative (C-41) film, producing true Lomo photography. The film’s name, X-Pro, indicates that cross-processing is required to achieve Lomo effects. The cross-processed X-Pro 200 yields a healthy skin tone, rich teal, aged indigo, rough grain, and countless other emotional sensations that defy description.
Perfect Artworks or Perfect Feelings
Sadly, Lomography X-Pro 200 is now difficult to find, and if it is discontinued, it will be a great loss for many Lomo enthusiasts who cherish this film.
Stock up on the Lomography X-Pro Slide 200 135 format slide film for whacked out colors, huge contrast and insane saturation.
Film Type: attribute_value_Color Slide Film
ISO: 200
DX code No:
Development: attribute_value_Cross Processing - C-41, Regular Processing - E6
Exposures: 12
Pack Size: 3
Kentmere 100 film has an average tolerance at best and can only be considered satisfactory. Choosing a film can be about selecting a particular style, and having all films be the same would be uninteresting. Street photographers reportedly appreciate the grain in this film.
When discussing black and white film, the development process is closely related. When I refer to the film’s tolerance and contrast, it’s based on my personal development habits and compared to other films.
While some people can use this film to create beautiful grayscale images through technical means, overall, Kentmere’s film has slightly high contrast, coarse grain, and a lower tolerance. Highlights are prone to overexposure, and shadows may be too dark. The contrast level is relatively high, and many people nowadays pursue a high-contrast effect, such as Daido Moriyama’s style.
Kentmere 100
35mm, ISO 100, medium contrast, black & white film. Suitable for most applications in good lighting conditions.
Medium speed ISO 100
Fine grain and good sharpness
Broad tonal range with good contrast
35mm cassettes and bulk lengths available
Using film in this day and age is a poetic act – without applause, everything depends on oneself. Judging from its packaging, this roll of film should perform exceptionally well with blue tones, owing to its blue-colored box. The film is versatile and easy to develop, providing excellent imaging in low-light situations and capable of producing beautiful photos with ordinary cameras. As a high-speed ISO400 film, it is well-suited for capturing moving objects with fast shutter speeds. The film exhibits vivid colors, high contrast, fine grains, and is particularly well-suited for portrait photography.
For a film with high latitude, some photographers intentionally “push” the UltraMax film to ISO25, creating a warm tone effect. Additionally, the ISO400 film can also be used as an ISO6400 film when necessary.
As most of my shooting time is spent on the road in the early morning and evening, I require a film with a high speed rating. While increasing the shutter speed can be achieved with a large aperture lens, this film can activate many small aperture lenses, including zoom PS pocket cameras.
Kodak has demonstrated great expertise in color photography, even with a film like UltraMax that is designed for speed.
Kodak ULTRAMAX 400
This offer is for 3 24 exposure rolls of Kodak Color Print Film ISO 400.
Great pictures in sunlight or low light, in action or still; The world"s most versatile 400-speed film choice.
Great pictures in a wide range of lighting conditions; Better pictures in low light; Sharper pictures with moving subjects; Extended flash range for better flash pictures; Reduced effect of "camera shake"; Better depth of focus capabilities.
Bright, vibrant prints; Consistent color under most lighting conditions.
