Four years of college were spent learning 35mm film photography under the mentorship of Tony A. Chirinos . I didn't fully embrace the medium as I preferred pixels over silver-halides at the time. Because the subject matter and working-series that I pursued had a more conceptual nature to it I needed the resolution to doctor the files as much as I could to achieve the desired vision. However so, being in a darkroom setting developing film and creating water-based prints left a lasting-impression.
Analog photography is experiencing a great return which compels many too slow down and drop into the field of pure awareness. After reasoning with a few like-minded shooters and reviewing their work I realized that there is something about film that renders uniquely compared to digital imagery. Since the introduction of the Leica rangefinder system in 1954, the world’s best photographers have appreciated Leica M-Cameras and lenses for the sensibility of the image quality and ergonomics. Honoring Leica’s heritage I decided to call-in the M6 Re-Issue before returning to the East. The M6 is an analog rangefinder camera with an integrated light meter. Its predecessor was introduced in 1984. Almost 175,000 units were built in different versions until 2003 and then re-released in 2022. Like no other Leica M camera, the Leica M6 is a tool for a lifetime that promotes a sense of intimacy with a compact and discreet design allowing one to be eluded as the photographer.
I had a few days in Delhi to be on foot photographing after a 6 week container in the Himalayas. Three of fifteen roles still needed to be shot before flying back to the west. I took this still while searching for an ATM to pay for the previous roles to be developed at a neat Film Development Lab called Siddarth Photographix located in New Delhi. I had Lightpix's Q20II off-camera flash handy which was more of an experimental decision in the moment. The sync-speed on the M6 is 1/50s which is quite slow, hence the motion blur. I was still pleased to see this shot as remember the moment vividly.
In India there’s a narrative around every corner. I knew from my first journey in the east that breaking-in this camera there would be nothing but fun & learning. The highlight in creating analog photographs is making an exposure and then detaching from previewing the shot right away This really helps with cultivating a stronger intention while shooting whilst building a closer relationship with the medium itself.
To briefly map out a general workflow, I fist send the rolls to be developed at Palm Film Lab. Once received from the lab I then scan the negatives to DNG files with Plustek’s 8300 AI using the integrated Silverfast SE software. As a final step the color negatives are converted right into Lightroom with Negative Lab Pro.
I intend on executing a film series in the years to come. Stage, color & composition are the pillars when producing and lately I’ve been sitting with the work of the following photographers Suresh Naganathan, Han's Vonk, Vicente Manssur, Md. Enamul Kabir & Joe Greer. After experimenting with colors and grain I have a special affection for Portra 400/800 Ektar 100 & Tri-x 400.