Why Riccis went back to film
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kshapero
South Florida Man
check his photos and work at: http://www.riccisblog.com/
plus a good guy
plus a good guy
dan_sutton
Member
if that shot of the beach is from bermuda, then i'm pretty sure two of my buddies were there shooting their leicas with him.
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Yeah Riccis....Love ya & Congrats on the Article !!!
maggieo
More Deadly
Congrats, Riccis! You know, this going back to film thing is catching!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
While I love his approach and applaud the man for returning to film it's not something the average wedding shooter could do I wouldn't think. I'd like to see the bottom line for what it actually costs him to do a wedding this way!
With a reputation like his he could probably offer charcoal sketches and be successful! 😀
With a reputation like his he could probably offer charcoal sketches and be successful! 😀
ZeissFan
Veteran
The average wedding shooter is doing it for the money -- not for the craft. So you're probably right. Profit tops art.
jan normandale
Film is the other way
Interesting comment Keith, last year a friend of my daughter had their wedding photographer bail for no stated reason. I think it was money but I'm not sure.
My daughter called on Friday night at 10.00 PM to ask me to "save them" . I said the photography would be a gift all they had to do was pay for my film. I drove to the local Vistek a large pro shop here in Toronto and filled up on 120 Fuji 160 NPS, Kodak 160 NC, Delta 3200 and some Fujichrome 135 for an Xpan and drove to the wedding 90 miles away that afternoon.
I shot the entire wedding with film using a 'blad w an 80 mm Planar and the Xpan
I shot 12 rolls of 120 and 6 rolls of 135. Took the film to the lab, had it processed and scanned to CD. Brought it back home reviewed the keepers and selected the ones for printing. Gave the film, CD's and JPG's to the couple. They got pro lab prints done for $1 - $14 per print depending on 4x6 or 10 x14 formats.
Total cost to them was about fifty percent less than the pro quoted originally for a digital shoot with inkjet prints.
Bottom line.. film still works and is competitive. It depends on what profit margin you want to take out of the job.
My daughter called on Friday night at 10.00 PM to ask me to "save them" . I said the photography would be a gift all they had to do was pay for my film. I drove to the local Vistek a large pro shop here in Toronto and filled up on 120 Fuji 160 NPS, Kodak 160 NC, Delta 3200 and some Fujichrome 135 for an Xpan and drove to the wedding 90 miles away that afternoon.
I shot the entire wedding with film using a 'blad w an 80 mm Planar and the Xpan
I shot 12 rolls of 120 and 6 rolls of 135. Took the film to the lab, had it processed and scanned to CD. Brought it back home reviewed the keepers and selected the ones for printing. Gave the film, CD's and JPG's to the couple. They got pro lab prints done for $1 - $14 per print depending on 4x6 or 10 x14 formats.
Total cost to them was about fifty percent less than the pro quoted originally for a digital shoot with inkjet prints.
Bottom line.. film still works and is competitive. It depends on what profit margin you want to take out of the job.
Mcary
Veteran
You can hear an extremely interesting and informative interview with him by going to http://www.insideanalogphoto.com/ and subscribing to inside Analog Radio via iTunes.
Then look for the Podcast dated 1/3/09
Then look for the Podcast dated 1/3/09
Kristopher
Established
I am using film for ALL my assignments, be it fashion or reportage and it is actually not more expensive than digital. Digital photogs are buying a new camera every two years, I buy 1 camera for 20 years, pay for the occasional CLA and for the film. Actually, most of the time, the client pays for it and is happy to do so because "film is cool" I am pretty sure I am even with a digi photog that does the same work as I do.
Also, I always thought that if I was to take the shot of a lifetime, I would be very very very sorry if it was digital, but that is just me.
Best
K
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The problem I perceive would be establishing yourself as a wedding shooter who uses film and has a clientel who wants it done thus ... then finding your lab has either botched (apologetically) your processing or has just plain shut their doors due to insufficient turn over which as we know can happen.
I've only ever gone to a pro lab once or twice and remember on one occasion a young photographer, who had shot an entire wedding on film, trying to get some reasoning from the lab as to why his negs all had these ugly tramlines down them. They claimed it was obviously his camera causing it but although he explained to them that he had shot the film from several cameras they didn't seem to want to know about it ... he was almost in tears and the whole scene was quite traumatic!
I suppose separating yourself from the hoards of pros using digital and the helpful wannabees with their digital SLR's who think there's nothing to it makes sense ... but I'm not sure that my nerves could stand placing my reputation in someone elses care when I hand them twelve rolls of film and hope they get it right.
I would never, never, never be a wedding photographer with either media ... I'm not cut out for that sort of stress! 😀
I've only ever gone to a pro lab once or twice and remember on one occasion a young photographer, who had shot an entire wedding on film, trying to get some reasoning from the lab as to why his negs all had these ugly tramlines down them. They claimed it was obviously his camera causing it but although he explained to them that he had shot the film from several cameras they didn't seem to want to know about it ... he was almost in tears and the whole scene was quite traumatic!
I suppose separating yourself from the hoards of pros using digital and the helpful wannabees with their digital SLR's who think there's nothing to it makes sense ... but I'm not sure that my nerves could stand placing my reputation in someone elses care when I hand them twelve rolls of film and hope they get it right.
I would never, never, never be a wedding photographer with either media ... I'm not cut out for that sort of stress! 😀
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Riccis
Well-known
Just noticed this thread, wow... I'll try to give my thoughts but first, thank you Akiva for your kind words.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Perhaps I should have said 'typical' wedding photographer!
No one want's to be average in this world obviously. 😀
By the way I love Ricci's work ... his images whatever he photographed would be superb with whatever media he chose.
No one want's to be average in this world obviously. 😀
By the way I love Ricci's work ... his images whatever he photographed would be superb with whatever media he chose.
gilpen123
Gil
Shooting weddings with film using a Nikon F6 or F5 will be easier than manual focus IMO. I shoot a wedding (free) with the F100 with the beast 28-70 2.8 ofor a friend several years ago all in B&W and it turned out the favorite amongst the lot. I was shooting with an official photog who was using a D70 with I think an 18-70 and a 80-200 2.8.
Riccis
Well-known
Dan - That image was in Cabo... I also never use second shooters regardless of the size or celebrity status of the wedding... I'd love to know who your Leica shooting buddies are, though 🙂
Helen - You are a sweetheart, thank you!
Maggie - You are right, this film thing is indeed catching on and I am very excited to see others playing with film (some for the first time) as I honestly believe that by stepping out of our comfort zone (either by shooting film, digital, Holgas, Polaroids, selecting one focal length, etc...) we all grow as artists and that, IMHO, is what it's all about... BTW, I am not anti-digital as I also own M9s and love them but my heart is with film.
Keith - Shooting film is actually cheaper than shooting digital... The problem is that, while there are a lot of talented photographers out there, not many are very business savvy... The trap that a lot of folks seem to fall on is on the notion that "digital is free" and, unfortunately many fail to realize the importance and value of your time as a business owner (i.e. I'd rather pay a lab to process and scan my film and instead dedicate to better market my business and promote my brand than sitting behind the computer post-processing images)... I am a very tight shooter (and not because I want to save $ on film processing) and on an average wedding day shoot anywhere from 12-18 rolls of 35mm... Developing and scanning costs are anywhere from $400-$1,000 and my workflow only entails sorting the images and getting rid of blinkers and bad shots... Thank you for your kind words as well.
Mike - Shooting weddings is my passion and I have worked very hard to build my brand and be able to shoot art that makes me and my clients very happy while also making a profit (making a profit is different for everyone based on the lifestyle we want to have and what we think it's important to us as individuals).
Jan - That was a beautiful present... One thing to keep in mind is that the costs of running any business are much more than the cost of your materials.
Mike - Thank you... I don't like the sound of my voice, though 😀
Kristopher - Good to hear, mate!
Keith - You are correct, the key to film in these days is to find a lab that you can trust with your work. I am fortunate to have such great partners as the folks from Richard Photo Lab (www.richardphotolab.com)... Notice how I refer to them as partners and not just as a lab... They are the best film lab in the US and maybe even the world with clients (like myself) all over the country...
While film can be a differentiator, my clients commission me first and foremost for my style and the resulting images (this is the same for me whether I shoot with an MP or an M9)... Of course, some clients (usually the ones in the creative or entertainment field) only seek film shooters but the ones that commission me do it because they want images that are a true representation of their day without cliches or whatever trends are "cool" at the moment.
Cheers,
Helen - You are a sweetheart, thank you!
Maggie - You are right, this film thing is indeed catching on and I am very excited to see others playing with film (some for the first time) as I honestly believe that by stepping out of our comfort zone (either by shooting film, digital, Holgas, Polaroids, selecting one focal length, etc...) we all grow as artists and that, IMHO, is what it's all about... BTW, I am not anti-digital as I also own M9s and love them but my heart is with film.
Keith - Shooting film is actually cheaper than shooting digital... The problem is that, while there are a lot of talented photographers out there, not many are very business savvy... The trap that a lot of folks seem to fall on is on the notion that "digital is free" and, unfortunately many fail to realize the importance and value of your time as a business owner (i.e. I'd rather pay a lab to process and scan my film and instead dedicate to better market my business and promote my brand than sitting behind the computer post-processing images)... I am a very tight shooter (and not because I want to save $ on film processing) and on an average wedding day shoot anywhere from 12-18 rolls of 35mm... Developing and scanning costs are anywhere from $400-$1,000 and my workflow only entails sorting the images and getting rid of blinkers and bad shots... Thank you for your kind words as well.
Mike - Shooting weddings is my passion and I have worked very hard to build my brand and be able to shoot art that makes me and my clients very happy while also making a profit (making a profit is different for everyone based on the lifestyle we want to have and what we think it's important to us as individuals).
Jan - That was a beautiful present... One thing to keep in mind is that the costs of running any business are much more than the cost of your materials.
Mike - Thank you... I don't like the sound of my voice, though 😀
Kristopher - Good to hear, mate!
Keith - You are correct, the key to film in these days is to find a lab that you can trust with your work. I am fortunate to have such great partners as the folks from Richard Photo Lab (www.richardphotolab.com)... Notice how I refer to them as partners and not just as a lab... They are the best film lab in the US and maybe even the world with clients (like myself) all over the country...
While film can be a differentiator, my clients commission me first and foremost for my style and the resulting images (this is the same for me whether I shoot with an MP or an M9)... Of course, some clients (usually the ones in the creative or entertainment field) only seek film shooters but the ones that commission me do it because they want images that are a true representation of their day without cliches or whatever trends are "cool" at the moment.
Cheers,
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Hey Chippy ... I'm as pro film for these sorts of things as anyone and you should be aware of that. In fact I shot my last gallery opening with Fuji Pro 800Z and processed it myself ... five rolls!
What's xanex ... some new South Australian beer we haven't heard about yet? 😀
Riccis
Well-known
Chippy - Thanks, mate... I always check out what's going on around here (specially the Classifieds 😀)
maddoc
... likes film again.
Thanks Akiva for starting this thread about Riccis wonderful work !
Cheers,
Gabor
Cheers,
Gabor
Bingley
Veteran
+1. The guy's an inspiration!
