I wanted to try something, I wanted to trust the Aussie postal system (hard to do!) pop my film into a mailer and post it to America to be scanned, crazy? Maybe!
I've been a big fan of Jonathan Canlas for a while now - chances are if you're into film then you are as well. Mr Canlas only shoots film, coined the phrase "film is not dead" and does a lot to promote the artform and keep it alive, he also has started (I believe or had some involvement with) the Find Lab. Speaking of which, FIND becomes the awesome acronym for "film is not dead" :)
I shot my very first roll of slide film, some Agfa CT Precisa 100 that I wanted to cross process and knew it would be in great hands if I sent it to the FIND lab (and it was!). Cross processing, simply refers to processing a film in different chemicals then what's intended for the film stock. In this case I had my slide film processed in normal colour film chemicals. You may ask why and the simple answer is because you can get some interested results by doing so, crazy colours, contrasts, all slightly unpredictable but hopefully all awesome :)
I have to give mad props to the FIND lab, I will say upfront it is more expensive then when I was sending my film a state away through the lomography website (but not that much more) and much more expensive then dropping it off your local drugstore but I can honestly say it's worth it to do so. The Find lab's customer service is outstanding, not only did they do a killer job on the scans but they took the time to give feedback and offer some other film/suggestions to try :) I appreciate the communication and felt free to ask questions, something I'm not use to and took me pleasantly by surprise :)
Okay onward to the photos, they're a hodge podge of photos from Biggenden, Byron and Fraser. There's also a few non-slide photos in the mix, like the cactus shot and the black white one (portra 160 and lady grey 400, respectively) but other than that it's all cross processed goodness shot on my Canon 1000f :)
I definitely want to play with slide film and cross processing more in the future - I love the unpredictable nature!
these are absolutely stunning. some of the best photos I've seen here. seriously!!! and you almost got me to the point of trying film again too. will there be more???
ReplyDeleteAw thanks Petra you're too sweet, the whole process of film takes so long and I'll admit after finishing this roll, sending it and getting it back I haven't been taking any more film, my cameras are loaded, I've just been on the digital train. The funny thing is, seeing all these photos together makes me want to get back on that train again!
Deletei used to cross process all the time, then i got tired and sometimes the ' unexpected' was really unexpected..for the bad - but your results are wonderful <3
ReplyDeletenearby,in Spain there is also a great Lab,if you ever want to try it out - they are really good : Carmencita Lab :D
i love the picture of Ben floating so very much :) and Agfa film, expecially Ct precisa was the best to cross process .D
Awesome, will definitely give that lab a go next time :) Thanks for all your info Sara, I knew you'd have some good tidbits. I think I was definitely lucky for my cross processing to go well, I can't imagine using it all the time but a fun in between film when my other choices get boring :P
Deleteoh wow. these are incredible, fee. a total delight. thanks for the break-down on what cross processing is too. the effect is amazing and i love the color saturation, but even cooler is the element of surprise inherent in the process. we want more! we want more!
ReplyDeleteIt's sometimes fun to just let the fate of your photos to the film gods, though to be honest I feel like that every time I use film not just cross processing. I've slowly built up more trust in my gear, in transportation and letting someone else develop but there are sooo many steps and it feels so easy for something to go wrong in any one of them *gulp*
DeleteHow AWESOME! This is seriously art. Both your photos and the combination of the process is just beautiful. And it shows your talent too, to be able to take these in film <3 love it.
ReplyDeleteJuli xx
Aww thanks Juli! I'm not normally so stoked on a whole roll but I pretty much was with this one, which is a nice rarity, it definitely makes me want to try it out again :)
DeleteThese are all so beautiful. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThanks Josie!
Deletebeautiful! i have been waiting to purchase a film camera but haven't gotten around to it. i hope to one day soon! stunning pictures! i am blown away!
ReplyDeleteI find myself always coming back to film, it has that allure of unpredictability and potential amazing photos that pulls me in :) I'm sure your photographic eye would do some amazing things with film - you've played with konstrucktor before (if I'm remembering right) but it's so much harder when even your camera is unpredictable - but that might make it even more fun?!? maybe :P
DeleteFee! These photos are amazing. They have that quality and colours that digital cameras can't produce.
ReplyDeleteIts definitely what keeps me going back to film :) I love that there are so many different avenues with photography too!
DeleteHow wonderful they have turned out Fee! I have given up with cross processing because portraits were so tricky for me, but yours are so inspiring! I always have a up&down relationship with film, I even haven't still checked if my lc-a+ is working since the Wales incident :S (kicking myself as I am writing this... ), but on the other hand I always fell in love with the film texture so hard! The film lab looks ace, I'm going to try a new place near our home that has good reviews as soon as I get the itch for film again ;) btw, Gremlin looks so grown up!!! ohmy! I still picture him in my head as a little fella.
ReplyDeleteSara above posted about the Carmencita Lab which is in Spain, is that the one? I'm definitely going to try it out next time :) Don't worry I have such an up down relationship with film too, I usually never 100% happy with a roll or even 75% I think I have unrealistic expectations sometimes :P I hope your Lc-a+ works! *fingers crossed* I was so upset when I dropped my OM1, I have such a special place for that camera in my heart, its easy to get attached to cameras. Gremlin is such a dude now, it's funny because when I see baby photos of him, I get so surprised!!
DeleteSpeechless. These photos are too gorgeous for words. I like it!
ReplyDeletehttp://lostinthefairyland.co.nr
Aww thank-you!
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