Roll #40 – CFP Double-X B&W

CFP Double-X B&W

The film is Kodak Eastman Double-X – a motion picture film, usually only available in big cinema reels. It was used for films like Schindler’s List and Casino Royale and several stores/projects re-roll/package the them for use in 35mm film cameras.

Sounded interesting, I checked some stores and found out that these are quite expensive. After some looking around I settled on a 5-pack from CameraFilmPhoto. So far I only shot one roll, but the results are quite good-looking, I think. Will save the other 4 for special projects/occasions.

5-pack of film + JCH film case

The images were taken at Cospudener See (a lake), on my way home after the sun went down (I played a bit with long exposures) and then at home to finish the roll.

Leipzig, Germany – Aug 2016

Shop Talk

35mm, black and white, motion picture film, ISO 200, 36 exposures.

Praktica LTL 2 + Helios-44-2 f2/58mm  + CFP Double-X B&W
Film bought for ~9 EUR via CameraFilmPhoto.
Developed by myself @ Mühlstraße e.V. Community Darkroom.
(Developed: Ilford ID-11 / 1+2 / 10min 40sec @ 20.3°C)
Scanned with Epson Perfection V550.

The Human Element

You always read “don’t compare your work to others”. It’s hard. And you see a lot of work by other people – old masters, emerging voices, exhibitions, social media, magazines, during photography meetups, the list goes on.

I find myself asking what exactly I shouldn’t compare. Technical details like exposure, depth of field, resolution? Or the impression (light, atmosphere, emotion)? Or the content? Or the impact on the viewer?

What about comparing my different own work? Wasn’t I a different person years ago? Wasn’t I in a different mood, when I took this picture, compared to that picture? How do I order the various things I photograph? What do I want? What do I want to say with my images? What do I want my photographs to achieve?

I think the HGB workshop started something, that’s slowly unraveling now. I ask questions. I recognize the difference between photographs with and without people in it. I have the feeling, that an image without a person in it, can only go so far. A landscape shot can be perfect, but there’s something still missing in it.

Or that’s all just a phase. Or a small step on the ladder to a more rich understanding of photography. Or I’m getting old and emotional. Or I’m just looking for something *else*, after taking images of things for years. Or I’m finally over some internal issues. Or or or.

As almost always: at the end, there are more questions than answers.