This past week, I attended two events celebrating new book releases from and about subjects whose work and passion have positively influenced me, my life, and the course the roads it’s taken. As usual, I decided to take my camera along. Taking place at Washington DC’s MLK Memorial Library and Virginia’s George Mason University Campus. Groundbreaking Photographer Glen E. Friedman and Ian McKay (Minor Threat. Dischord Records, Fugazi.) spoke about Glen’s photos and his book ‘Just a Minor Threat.’ Allowing me many firsts, including my first visit to the MLK Memorial Library and meeting Glen and Ian. Later in the week, I had a similar experience visiting George Mason University to sit in on a discussion about the book with photographer Antonia Tricarico, Joe Lally (Fugazi), and the man himself, producer/engineer of Viginia’s legendary Inner Ear Studio, Don Zientara on the book ‘The Inner Ear of Don Zientarara.’ I took a few pictures while I listened intently. I bought my first book of Friedman’s music photos, ‘Fuck You Heroes,’ in 1994. Each of the people I met at these events influenced my art immensely and provided stories regarding their journey. Looking back on my life, thing of the impact their images, music and the recordings they helped shape. It’s worth wondering what it would have been with it.
Category: Film Photography
Lost & Found
I recall going to countless shows throughout the tristate during that long lost decade known as the nineties. Armed with my Nikon FM2, my 50mm lens and a couple of rolls of film. I documented each and every show I attended with an unrealistic enthusiasm that I was doing something unique and special. I had an entire linen closets of carefully described negatives, contact sheets and slides. Yet somehow, after numerous moves from my Hell’s Kitchen apartment. That gift for organization took a hit. Leaving many of the lesser known names on the bills nameless. Decades later, I can strangely recall when and where these shots were taken without an inkling on the name of the subject or the band they performed with.This image was taken at CBGB’s i the late 90’s. If I can recall, the bill featured a few Oi/Street Punk acts of the time. (Not my thing, but…) Featuring the clique blue collar, buzzed hair, and mutten chops. Your guess is good as any. If you have any idea, please share.
An Interview with ‘Grain Check’ Photographer, Taylor Pendleton
As artists of any form, we consistently find inspiration in others’ work. Through our droughts and doubts, we look to other artists to light a fire underneath us and see our motivation to move forward and create. I found inspiration in my roots as a film photographer when I found Taylor’s vlog, ‘Grain Check.’ Refueling an obsession with cameras, film, the process, technique, and everything involved. As someone whose been a digital photographer since way back. I find film photographers to be brave, creative souls who approach things differently due to the differences between film and digital photography. The cost of film, development, and the absence of instant recognition can intimidate many. I reached out to Taylor for all the reasons listed above. The following is what she had to say.
James: Can you introduce yourself? What you do and where you’re from?
Taylor: Hi! I’m Taylor. I’m a film and digital photographer and YouTuber originally from Las Vegas, Nevada.
James: Tell us a little bit about your journey as a photographer.
Taylor: I was always interested in cameras as a little girl – I’d often ask my parents if I could carry around their point and shoots for the day. It wasn’t until high school, though, that I started to take it seriously. Fast forward to my senior year of college and I’m dropping out 3 months before graduation because I was working full-time as a wedding photographer and knew my English degree would never do me any good. My dream was to be a photographer (I didn’t know which kind yet) and I was well on my way.
James: What made inspired you to host a You Tube channel? How do you feel about the feedback?
Taylor: I never ever imagined myself to be a YouTuber. But I landed a gig at Moment (a small online camera store) where they needed another YouTube personality who was already a photographer. So, my days of talking to a camera began! And now, 5 years later, I’ve got my own channel called graincheck and I’m having a blast with it. The feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive. The YouTube comment section can be a brutal place, but I can count the times I’ve gotten hate on one hand. It’s been incredibly positive!
James: What was it like adjusting to being filmed?
Taylor: Honestly, pretty fun. There were times in the beginning where I’d struggle to deliver a line over and over, which was frustrating and embarrassing. But, for the most part, it was fun to be a goof and do my thing on camera. It also made me so aware of myself – in a good way!
On Shooting film. “It forces you to be intentional with every shot and present in your environment (no checking your images after you take them). You make sure, to the best of your ability, you got the shot and then you move on. It’s a beautiful process.”
James: What are the key characteristics that draw you to photography? Is there a style or element in particular that you gravitate towards? Why?
Taylor: I’ve thought about this a lot and I’ve never landed on what it is about photography that I’m specifically drawn to. There’s some x factor that I can’t put my finger on. It just feels like a part of me, an extension of me. Maybe because I’m not the greatest with words, I feel I can express myself through visuals? I don’t know, but it’s a real feeling of solace for me. When life is hard, I literally will tell myself “no one can take photography from you.” It is my peace. As far as style, I’ve been all over the map. It’s an evolution for me, which I enjoy. I never want to feel boxed in. Right now, I’m diving into colorful digital studio portraiture and black-and-white film landscapes.
James: What went into your decision to shoot film VS digital? What about the cost and the immense space that film, negatives, and prints demand? (Note, that I love and understand the meaning of “Stay broke. Shoot film.”)
Taylor: I shoot both, so I choose digital or film on a daily basis depending on how I feel. But, for my channel, I focus on film. I think people like to see and hear the experience of shooting film, since it is so sensory. Film, especially right now, is incredibly expensive to shoot. I’m lucky to get highly discounted (and sometimes free) resources to keep it going.
James: With your experience, what would you consider the biggest pros and cons of being a film
photographer?
Taylor: Pro: It forces you to be intentional with every shot and present in your environment (no checking your images after you take them). You make sure, to the best of your ability, you got the shot and then you move on. It’s a beautiful process.
Con: Expense, for sure. And the wait time to get scans back…it can be painful.
James: You embarked on a yearlong project to exclusively shoot black and white film. What has the
project taught you and how have the results informed you?
Taylor: I’m officially halfway through the year (crazy!) and I’ve benefited from it so much already. I have better learned what each hue looks like on the grayscale and I’ve become SO much more aware of light.
James: With all the different variations of film you’ve shot. Have you found one that best suits your
needs?
Taylor: My go-to black-and-white stock is Cinestill XX. While it’s a slower speed film, I never need to touch my scans. It is absolutely delicious.
James: A list of the film cameras you own? Is there one that you consider your preferred every day or
favorite? Why?
Taylor: Oh man. I have a lot, but many aren’t functioning. The ones I frequently use right now are the Pentax 645, Contax T3, Contax G2, Yashica T4, Ricoh Mirai, and the Fujifilm Instax 210. My every day camera is the Contax T3, since it’s compact and an absolute superstar of a point-and-shoot (fast & sharp lens, built in flash, and it’s cute as hell).
James: On your vlog you’ve featured many of the photographers and team you work with. How did that meeting come about and what is it like to be around so many like-minded, creative people?
Taylor: Because of my job at Moment, I’ve become connected to so many photographers and creatives. It’s such an awesome community to be a part of. Sometimes, it can feel like an echo chamber where all you think about and see is photography, so I make sure to fill my brain with other things when I can!
See more of Pendleton’s work by clinking the links below.
Personal Website https://taylorpendletonphoto.com/
You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-FnGaXQfgXFbEiq28uEEng
Instagram https://twitter.com/trmpendleton?lang=en
Examining what’s left of my Film Camera Collection.
Inspired by a recent exchange with a film photographer and a dive into photo blogs exploring and practicing life as film photographers. I decided to revisit some of my past by unpacking and examining what’s left of the film cameras I collected and used in the early stages of my life as a photographer. The last twenty or so years of selling, trading, and donating bodies and lenses have more than cut in half the remnants of my humble beginnings. Looking back, I’m reminded that you can’t keep it all and can’t remain sane while holding on to the past. Below is a link to one of the You Tube channels I’ve been enjoying.
My Fascination with Slide Film. (Continued)
Continuing my deep dive into decades old images that I captured on slide film. I’ve somewhat shifted my kicking myself for less than perfect attempts at capturing the beauty and uniqueness of my subjects and instead recalling how much fun I was having and how lucky I was to have complete strangers agree to give me the time to practise my new passion. I can also recall how my social skills and ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone were taken to new heights.
Revisiting my Fascination with Slide Film.
Back in ’97, I attempted what would become my first-ever photography portfolio. While I had three or so years of experience photographing the city I lived in and had even published a few in local newspapers and magazines. More than anything, I wanted to photograph people. And by people, I meant “Real People.” Not the emaciated, disinterested kind you saw in magazines and billboards. “Real People” like the ones you saw during your daily outings and wondered, “Hmm, what’s their story?” I was somewhat shy, but I was curious and had a camera. So, with all the drive of a formula1 racer and the knowledge of a kindergarten dropout. I took advantage of my night slot at the east village record store and asked many individuals to help a young artist reach his goals. To say the very least, it was a great time. Meeting people from all over the world made friendships that remain strong today. I was and still am in love with slide film. Recalling that most of the images captured then, (including the four posted below.) were done with slide film.
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