Notes on Film - A New Direction

I'm still considering directions with which to take this blog. And I just may have fallen into one just a few minutes ago.

While trying to compose a new Facebook status, I thought about the many different films that I have shot and plan to shoot. And this is what I came up with:
Test different films, in different cameras, and see how they match up both to their historical use and contemporary probability.

Not all films last forever, and not all films are meant to. But, today while searching eBay (as I do much too often these days) I ran into something that I could have only imagined possible. Old instant rollfilm. An old useless artifact for some, but a gold mine to me. I've wanted to shoot some for so long, and this was my chance! But not to get ahead of myself - there are still days to go before the auction ends.

I have some film and cameras waiting to be used. Among these:
Kodak Verichrome 620 film (expired 1967, 1980, and 1981) and Kodak Kodacolor X (expired 1970, 1973, and 1980) to use in a Kodak Duaflex IV with Flash
Kodak Verichrome 616 film (expired 1977 and 1978) to use in a Kodak Monitor Six-16 camera
Polaroid Type 59 4x5 Color sheet film (expired 1985)
Polaroid Type 53 4x5 B&W sheet film (Expired 1997)
Kodak Vericolor II 4x5 sheet film (expired 1982) which I have used a few sheets of

And, if all goes well, I'll also be adding some Polaroid Type 42 rollfilm (expired 1956!) into the mix. I have a lot of work ahead of me. A lot of time, a lot of shooting, and a lot of fun. In a way, it's like bringing the past into the present. Like taking a slice of yesteryear and experiencing it like many people just couldn't imagine. I just can't wait...

The Polaroid film is self developing and the 620 film will be able to fit on the developing reels I already have (and use the developing chemicals I just ordered today), but the 616 and Vericolor film have to be taken to Praus Productions in Rochester, NY. I'm sure there is probably somewhere closer, but I trust the owner, Edgar, with my film almost more than I trust myself. He has been more than helpful to me when i had questions concerning my film.

Anyway, I plan on using this blog to help me share my findings with all of you. Will the films produce beautiful images or just a bunch of blurry shapes? I guess we'll see. As soon as the flash bulbs I ordered arrive I'll be shooting the first roll of 620 Verichrome (the 1967 stuff). And I'll be playing with the Polaroid 4x5 soon as well. Maybe I'll toss some 616 in the camera and give myself a reason to go visit Edgar.

(And speaking of new film, I have 10 sheets of Fuji Velvia 50 coming in the mail. This is perhaps the best color landscape film available. And I love the colors it produces. It might have to wait until spring to expose, but I'm sure I'll be posting some images and links on here when I have it ready to go.)

If you pick up a camera this weekend, remember that there were days when only memories could be saved and cherished. Don't take it for granted.