Why Riccis went back to film

[peter_n]

... 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 think this was one of the drivers for Jeff Ascough going to digital. He had his trusted local lab (in Derbyshire I think) and his printer, the film business went down, labs closed, Jeff couldn't find anybody who could produce to his standards.

I recently took some rolls for a long-term project to a pro lab here in Boston that I've used many times and they botched the job. They'd always done stellar work before. It was terrible and I'm not going back. Good to hear about Richard Photo Lab from Riccis. I've also used A&I Photo out there, they have been good too.

 

[xxloverxx]

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.

+∞
My “P&S” camera is film. If I made the “shot of a lifetime”, I'd get it printed right away, then get the photo printed to a slide and/or negative.

 

[dcsang]

It was Riccis who helped me feel that I could do a full wedding with film (again) - and even more so with RF gear.

He's an invaluable resource and always willing to help when he can.

That said, I'm now trying to hunt down a good pro lab that won't screw up, that will use the mix that I like (XTOL 1:1 or Rodinal depending on the film) and that can scan to RAW file format accordingly (NEF or otherwise).

Based on my last wedding I shot about 10 rolls of 35mm film total as an associate photographer with 2 rolls on the Rolleiflex. I'm getting shots that are, to be honest, as I envision them. Just enough subtlety and in glorious B&W.

Thank you Riccis.. Thank you 🙂

Cheers,
Dave

 

[Turtle]

All the reasons I never stopped with film and never intend to! Good on Riccis, and as should be the case, his results actually back up his argument, which is not always the case when people take a very specific line.

 

[imokruok]

That's a nice mention for Richard Photo Lab. As I am relatively new to film, I've found it very easy to get into it, partially because LA is a still a place with a great professional support for film. As just one example, I'm going to spool some Kodak 500T for my 35mm SLR, and there's a place within driving distance that - for a price - is happy to develop it.

As to that story about the bad negs on the last page, I have no experience being a wedding photographer or any professional photographer for that matter. But I've always thought that if you're going to go pro, you need to have some level of backup built into every step of your workflow. If you're only shooting film, this means splitting your rolls and developing in more than one place or taking your film in a couple of batches to the lab so if they screw it up, they only screw up a portion. Alternatively, shoot on both film and digital so you're always in possession of a backup.

 

[kshapero]

Thanks guys, just looking to spreading the RF love.

 

[dan_sutton]

Riccis, i sent you a message as I don't want to post my friends names without their permission. They were invited to a wedding in Bermuda that I thought was with you, but I'm pretty sure a buddy of mine got to hang out with you in London for a seminar and Norway for a wedding. You are mentioned with quite flattering words and a hint of jealousy or envy

 

[charjohncarter]

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.

Just like Riccis your photos probably had that film edge that makes them different and richer. You must be a nice guy though, after going to weddings for all my life I would not want to be a 'Wedding Photographer.'

 

[Riccis]

Dave - I'm humbled to hear I inspired you to give film and RF a shot... Based on the images you've been posting, you should have jumped on it a long time ago... Thank you for sharing your work and for the kind comments... Keep pushing higher, mate!

Turtle - Thank you!

Imo - If I didn't have a young son, L.A. would be my city of choice... It would be so awesome to walk to Richard and drop and pick film up (although I may not be able to get any work done 😀).

Dan - Congrats on the M6!!!

Charjohncarter - The secret to being a happy wedding photographer is to only accept commissions from clients that are a good fit... When I meet with prospective clients, I can tell whether we will be a good match to work together or not.

 

[cnphoto]

i was in the bridal party at my older sisters wedding last month, they had a 'typical' wedding photographer there. i wanted to shoot the wedding, but my sister wanted me in the bridal party and wanted me to have a good time so that's what I did.

i had my M3 on me anyway, and still shot 4 and half rolls of film. just candid stuff. i've just started developing and scanning the film, there's some nice photos - i wished i'd taken more photos. i had a lot of fun, i'm putting together a little album with the images too.

i'm getting married myself next May and wont be hiring a wedding photographer, there really isn't anyone out this way shooting film in the style i like (such as Riccis work) - in our price point anyway. so i have a few of mr friends who'll be shooting documentary style photos through out the day (i think there will be around 7 or 8 photographers there at last count, maybe more) and i'll have a Leica on my arm too (mostly so i can shoot a photo of my fiancee/wife walking down the aisle towards me 🙂 )

after seeing Riccis work especially, i think that when one of my close friends gets married i'll be more than happy to shoot for them - B&W film, my way - should they ask.

 

[umcelinho]

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.

thrilling story. 🙂 in the end her friend got photos at least 10x better than they would originally have. probably one of the best gifts.

 

[EcoLeica]

I first heard about Riccis on the inside analog radio podcast ( i suggest you all should listen to it, its a great podcast) . It was a wonderful interview that got me inspired to shoot, so much so that i finally broke down and got myself a decent rangefinder (M6 ttl). In a world were wedding photography is all fill-flash and over processing in post, it is lovely to see some simple yet riveting wedding photography.

 

[jan normandale]

@Riccis, I'm well aware of the costs of a business and you're right to touch on that. It's part of the "cost". If I were to do this for a living my pricing would take that into account. Fortunately I'm not planning to be a wedding photographer. I've got a few humourous anecdotes regarding the "competitive nature" of shooting a wedding when relatives barge into shots with there digi p/s and say I'll only be a moment" or yell from the side "look over here!!!" . I knew then I needed additional social skills for this business.

@johncarter, I'm with you on 'wedding photography' I won't be doing it again. Once was fun, a second time would be more than I need. ;D

@Dave, don't worry about competition for market share from me!