I'm a simple man who likes to keep things lean and light because life is already complicated enough as it is. My Billingham camera bag is always neatly packed and sits conveniently by my bedroom door, ready for short notice decisions. Inside the bag are my two analog cameras, always meticulously cleaned, checked and organised after a day or night's work, always reliable for use. The only electronic item in my camera bag is the light meter which has a spare rechargeable battery. Everything including the bag itself is second hand, which is the reason why I could afford it.
At this point I really think there's a myth that needs debunking: the notion that film photography is somehow for rich people only... whilst keeping up with the digital system requires a great deal of disposable cash, film cameras require discipline, skill and knowledge to keep the budget tight. I couldn't possibly afford to photograph one thousand images on film to get five final photographs, that would be insane.
What really matters to me is the unique attribute of imperfection that analog film provides and the great quality of flexibility. From a standard roll of film the variations and modifications are infinite, depending on of course on how much work the photographer is prepared to do. You can push the film, pull the film, create your own unique chemistry, you name it... it becomes yours under your guidance only. It's a slow process, where the camera is the mirror to reflect your vision onto celluloid.
Nobody can deny that digital provides speed, but what are we exactly accelerating towards, is there a paradise around the corner that we need to reach before it closes its doors for good?
