Libby and Tucker ~ B&W Engagement Photos

It’s been a long time since I photographed using film with my Hasselblad 503 CX. I had almost forgotten the excitement  that the use of film produces in all stages of the production; unlike digital photography, film demands concentration in every step of the workflow. You begin by very carefully loading the film, framing the subjects and then observing the light and trying to create an appropriate reading that will record the information in both the shadows and the highlights. After the frame and exposure has been set you have to wait for the perfect moment: the moment that you want to record. You won’t see this moment immediately because the door that lets you see shuts down to let the camera see. If you were photographing digital photos, you’d be able to instantly check if the image you were waiting for was actually recorded, but since you’re using film the anticipation begins, because you know that the latent image is there but you can’t check it until you develop the film.
Developing the film is another story. The chemicals should be at the right temperature. First comes the developer, converting the latent image to metallic silver. Then comes the fixer to make sure the image is permanent. At this point the adrenaline reaches its maximum peek. The collections of images you captured are there ready to be seen. You wash the the film and one by one you start analyzing your work. The exposure wasn’t correct here. Damn, I should have waited a little longer before pressing the shutter on this one. Some of the frames, however, will have the all the elements in place and you will feel that all the work that was done to see them was worthwhile.

Thanks Libby and Tucker for your incredible patience and for laughing at my bad jokes. I really enjoyed photographing your engagement session and I’m looking forward to shooting your wedding this coming winter.