florence in film

I wish I used film more. Rhianne is a friend I really admire because she's so dedicated to film that she'll pack multiple film cameras with her for one trip-- just so she has each camera on hand when the moment calls for it.

This batch of film wasn't supposed to turn out. I had just crossed the Ponte Vecchio and somehow, for no reason whatsoever, I dropped my precious little yellow holga onto the cobblestone street. Its back popped open, exposing my film to the midday sun and I thought, "surely this whole roll of film is ruined." (Actually, I thought a whole string of expletives but I'll keep those to myself).

And then these turned up! What a miracle. This is what I love the most about film. You can't check your photos immediately after taking them-- and in my case, it takes me so long to develop a roll that I completely forget what I'd originally shot. And when something turns up-- it's the best feeling.

Every camera snap is a flutter of hope. A wish and a prayer that what you see will be captured the way you want it, in one of the most beautiful mediums on the planet.

PS - My shameless loves are over at Molly's today! (They're embarrassing but I embrace them).

some things for the weekend

Anna at Much Love developed my holga film from the photoswap and this is my favorite photo of the batch! I suppose this kinda makes me a creep, but I love taking pictures of older couples together. When I'm older I might not have money or the life I expected at all, but having someone to share everything with would make it all okay. Maybe it's why I love Up so much.

Speaking of holgas, one of my very dear friends, (another) Anna wrote a great feature article at The Bohemian about the appeal of toy cameras and film to our generation. Why are blurriness, double exposures, and essentially "accidents" so loved in our digital age? I think she does a great job of explaining it.

Happy rest of the weekend!

forgotten film: norman

Norman is my favorite cat in the entire world. He's like a dog, really. He doesn't scratch or claw, and he lets you rub his belly. He's playful and loving and he likes to cuddle. A couple of weeks ago, he didn't come in for the night, and he hasn't been seen since. This is really heartbreaking because I truly think that he is the best cat in the whole world. Well, going through my forgotten film a few days ago I found this picture and it's one of the best surprises I could ever find. It's how I'll always remember him.

forgotten film: awkward teenager

Upon taking up the challenge (and I mean, challenge) to clean my room, I recently rediscovered film that I never developed, but that had to be at least 5-6 years old. By now I'd pretty much completely forgotten what was on each roll so getting them developed has been a real surprise. Here to start off the segments of forgotten film is yours truly, circa 2005, aka 15 or 16-year-old me.*

PS- Do you have any awkward teenager pictures to share? If so, please let me know!

*And to be honest, I think I look exactly the same except I now have bangs... which are growing out. Way to progress, Celeste.

holgas at the park

Photos from a walk at San Pedro Valley Park and swings from a San Francisco park. I'm not sure what else to say, except that I'm really happy that I got my Holga! I hope you're all enjoying your last day of August- I'm off to the city for lunch with a friend and then to pick up my bike from the shop!

the prettiest house in the neighborhood

whenever i pass this house i daydream a little. i would have never thought to put those two colors together but they work so beautifully. now, if only i could get a peek inside.

holgas at the pier

ever since i lost my fisheye camera on the train to brussels, i've wanted another lomography camera to replace it. luckily, lomography came out with the holga 135BC- meaning i can take holga photos without the inconvenience of 120 film. so, here are some from my first batch of pictures when my friend luke and i took a little visit to the pacifica pier one afternoon. it was windy and too cold to not have a jacket, but lovely to see how fishermen spend their days.

windsor

a couple of weeks ago some students took a day trip to windsor to visit the castle. i couldn't take photos inside the castle, but i managed to get these film photos just walking around outside. i love film.

the first prints i've ever developed