Yes, I'm not happy, Marty. I think the idea of turning it into apartments and preserving it is great (a film lab, would be even better). But not at the expense of irrevocably altering its facade. Sadly, looking at social media comments, plenty of local philistines ignorant of Kodak's century of history in Australia, and of employing Australians, seem to see no merit in preserving it.
Although Hobart has done better than most cities in preserving its architectural heritage, there's still a vocal "knock it down and develop" mentality present in some Tasmanians. I love Tasmania and love living here, but was not born here. I value the state's architectural heritage immensely. Naturally plenty of Tasmanian-born residents do, also, but not all, unfortunately. Coming to the state later in life, possibly, it's helped my appreciation for what we have here.
I took this photo from street level in winter 2010. I'd like to think my ability to compose an image has improved since then. But it's significant because it was made with the first of two rolls of PKR I exposed in 2010 during winter and spring/summer. There was another Hobart photographer who shot a little Kodachrome earlier in 2010, but as far as I know, with my final images made late December, I was probably the last person in Tasmania to shoot it. Surely, my image is the last of Kodak House ever recorded on the company's most famous colour film. Development by Dwaynes, obviously. I have always been glad I did this image, even more so today.
Canon EOS RT; Canon 50mm EF f/1.8; Kodak PKR.
