Those old days

(photo source:  holgacamera.org)

HOLGA—I saw one today in some antique shop.  I had one of these in college, when I thought myself a photographer, and wanted to do something artsy.   It was cheap, plastic, and super cool.  It made me think about the days of film.

I miss film.

I loved using my old mechanical Canon AE-1. I still have it and it works.  My digital SLR died after three and a half years of easy use. They told me that I probably got a lemon.

I miss manually advancing the film to the next frame—nothing beats the sound. Oh, the anticipation of what I would see next that was worth being imprinted on film forever.

With film, I took the time setting up the shot, because each photograph, meant something.  I relished in the ritual of making sure the lighting was right, picking the appropriate film, adjusting the dials for film/shutter speed and aperture.  And when everything was just so...click.

With digital, I rush.  I don't mean to, but really, if the picture doesn't turn out okay, I know there's always Photoshop.  I don't even take many photo's these days.  With more technology, the more time you spend trying to figure out why it's not working.

Sometimes less is more.

This year, I am determined to slow down, maybe pull out my old camera, try to find some film, look around, and really see what's in front of me.  Who knows how much I've missed....