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| Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan |
Depth. Character. Chemistry. These are the things that I would normally answer if someone would ask me why I shoot film.
But behind these "artistic" answers ─ lies the brutal truth: Frustration is what drives me to keep shooting film. Haha.
Frustration that comes from buying an expensive film, thinking you will shoot stunning photos with it, only to find out in the end that your vision is still the same from Day 1.
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| Takoyaki in the making |
This is Cinestill 800T film. More expensive than the films that I shoot with, which are already expensive in the first place. Bought it for Php625 per roll (around $12), 36 shots, at Film Folk.
This is not to say that I'm complaining about how film makers and shops mark the price on their product; I totally accept it, and thankful for their existence and will to keep film alive. I'm frustrated at myself — for creating an illusion that a good film would somehow affect and improve my vision.
I cannot remember the last time I was exceptionally satisfied with my photos. Maybe I'm overthinking here, but I used to be over the moon with my own photos (lol self-absorbed much). These days, my satisfaction ratings usually are Okay to Meh to Why Did I Even Bother?
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| Pretty flowers in front of a temple in Kyoto. |
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| Grilled scallops and the sungit scallop guy :p |
My brain is so used to document memories, I usually just click away whenever I feel like it. I wish I could learn more to get into that creating mode.
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| A helpful Ate Gurl/Train Guide at a Shinkansen station |
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| Kyoto rails |
Though, when I think about it, it's not that bad if frustration is my driving factor. I keep on doing it anyway despite it. I guess, I wish that I was shooting because I'm creating photos that I like, instead of shooting away because I keep on chasing at least one good photo.
(Anyway..... Ang dami kong sinabi di ba? Pero ang ending I really do love film :) I keep it alive, because it makes me feel alive wow pinagsasabe, lol)
Anyway, on to a brief Cinestill 800T thoughts..
They're just thoughts because I'm not knowledgeable to talk about a film technically to call it a review. I mean, I literally, just shoot film.
- I did not expect the cool tones during daylight. I'm usually inclined to appreciate a photo for the warm colors, but the blues worked for me in this case.
- I feel stupid for discovering that I did not shoot an ISO 800 film during the night. I'll take note of this next time!
- I like the grain. Some shots are particularly grainy because of my miscalculation in metering, but in most shots where I think my exposure is acceptable, the grain doesn't make me want to jump off a cliff.
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| Japanese taxis are so elegant-looking, I could not keep my eyes off them when they're around. |