Leica inspiration for documentary work

Nice video.
Personally I think these are the some of the best time ever to be a photographer whither one choose to use film digital or both. Myself I just picked up a used M8 which I feel is the perfect companion to my M6 as it allows me to keep my M6 loaded with my favorite B&W film, either AP100 or AP400/Tri-X and have the M8 ready when the situation call color, or I want take advantage of the M8 higher shutter speed to shot some candid portraits or I need a different ISO.
Right now I'm working on a small project called Small Town Snaps were I spend an hour or so, two or three times a week, shooting some street stuff/candids around the downtown area of the small city/town I live by. Pretty much start out with the M6 and a roll of Tri-X/AP400 and if I get through that I pull out the M8. This afternoon I only shot 15 frames so the M8 stayed in my bag.
 
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The video was just okay if you ask me. Out of all the photos he took that the video highlighted, the only good ones were from the book 'Easter in Sicily". I did not think any of the ones they had video of him taking were very good at all.
I do think that he addressed one really good point-- the influence that excitement can have on your work. If using film makes you excited, it will show in the photos more than the inherent visual differences of film vs. digital.
 
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Filmfan, I think you found the secret sauce. If working a certain way promotes your enthusiasm, it WILL show in the final cut.

I still talk myself out of many ideas for practical reasons...too expensive to use film, the scanning will take forever, selecting off of contact sheets is not detailed enough, I want color too, etc. I think it's time for me to just dive in with an M6, Tri-X, and a vague semi-formed idea.

I have to stop telling myself I have to use modern, cutting-edge tools to get a publishable final result (regardless of whether it'll be published anywhere).
 
David_Manning said:
...I think it's inspirational just to recognize we can still work with film in a digital age and do interesting work...[/url]
Click to expand...

I find this comment a little strange - although it may not be what you meant - you imply that shooting film in a digital age doesnt lend itself to achieving interesting work. It worked just fine before; should still work the same way :eek:
 
And it sure doesn't hurt to look like Brad Pitt :)
In fact I think this guy is better-looking than BP, or maybe because he doesn't have that "smug aura" on him.

Kidding aside, this guy is a good example and an answer to those who are confused why a lot of people still uses that archaic and obsolete medium called film.
 
Only one thing - he's been shooting an M9 since April and plans to continue to use it alongside his film cameras.

"And this leads me to my next point. I’m not ending my film life because I’m using an M9. There is no either/or. I’m trying to make my life about creativity, and how I come to that creativity is wide ranging. Heck, I made a sketch this morning. Yep, I did. Paper, pen and the world’s worst drawing. In my backpack I have an iPad and a paper journal. I looked at Time online this morning but I have a paper magazine on the table next to me. Do you see where I’m going here people? Okay good. You are I are one in the same."

There's a lesson here, I wonder if some will see it though.
 
David_Manning said:
............. I think it's inspirational just to recognize we can still work with film in a digital age and do interesting work...
Click to expand...

You can conclude that you have failed as a photographer if in the end, people are not thinking about the message of your images but instead wondering if you shot digital or film.
 
Bob, agreed.

Of course, you've failed as a photographer if your preferred method of working isn't viable. If nobody will publish your film photography (read here: pay for your additional materials, i.e.. film, processing, contact sheets) then nobody gets to enjoy your vision and point of view.
 
David_Manning said:
Bob, agreed.

Of course, you've failed as a photographer if your preferred method of working isn't viable. If nobody will publish your film photography (read here: pay for your additional materials, i.e.. film, processing, contact sheets) then nobody gets to enjoy your vision and point of view.
Click to expand...

Well, there are quite a few professionals on this very forum that do quite well with film, processing, contact sheets, etc. ... Riccis, Damaso to name just a couple. Film is still very viable for a professional IMO because I am one.;)
 
Cool video, for someone who likes using film (like me), because the workflow is rewarding and fun, its nice to see how a working photographer goes about doing their thing, using the materials you like. There was also a video of a french printer (a young woman) in her darkroom, that also leaves you a good vibe (no longer have the link to it).

Cheers
Steven
 
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