Cleaning out my office has been a long overdue task, spanning years of neglect. Why bother the collection of odds and ends? Alas, the time came, and I recently took on the overwhelming ask. In doing so, I was gifted with a meaningful walk down memory lane.
As I sit there amidst the remnants of memories, dusting off old relics from my office, I find myself transported back to a different era in photography. Among them, a treasure trove of black and white behind-the-scenes photos from a shoot in early September 2001 highlighting the analog days that defined my craft.
This particular shoot for what was at the time Bell Aliant, holds a special place in my heart, a milestone in my fledgling career. Organized through Cossette Atlantic, with the talented Paul Douglas as Creative Director and Cindy Douglas overseeing set decoration, it was a defining moment for me—a chance to step up to the plate and prove myself in the industry. (Paul and Cindy now own Melon, a Design and Branding Agency).
The preparation for the shoot was meticulous, from constructing temporary sets to fine-tuning wardrobe selections. Before the film could even touch the camera, we embarked on a journey of trial and error, capturing countless Polaroids to perfect our lighting and composition. Each Polaroid took a leisurely 90 seconds to develop, quite different from today’s necessary standards.
Once satisfied with our Polaroid previews, we dove into the heart of the matter, loading rolls of 120 transparency film into the hungry jaws of the Hasselblad. What stands out most vividly in my memory is the intricate dance of loading film into the Hasselblad 500CM—a ritualistic process that demanded precision and patience.
Astia 120, with its exquisite rendering of skin tones, was our weapon of choice, capturing moments with a depth and richness that digital sensors could only dream of.
With the shoot wrapped, the real work began. A pilgrimage to the local camera store marked the first step in the journey of film development. Clip tests were conducted, tweaking development times to achieve the desired contrast and exposure. It was a delicate balancing act, a dance between artistry and science, culminating in a meticulously curated selection of slides.
The final act involved presenting these slides to the Creative Director, armed with nothing but a loop and a portable light table. Their discerning eye would dictate the fate of each image, guiding them through the labyrinth of Photoshop and beyond.
As I reflect on those days, I can't help but marvel at the evolution of my craft. Digital technology has revolutionized the way we work, offering speed, precision, and an unparalleled level of control. No longer do we languish in the darkroom, waiting for the mysteries of film to reveal themselves. Instead, we shoot wirelessly to iPads, basking in the glow of instant feedback.
Has anything been lost in the transition from analog to digital? In my opinion, no. The future has ushered in a new era of possibilities, enhancing our workflow and expanding our creative horizons.
While I cherish the memories of my analog roots, I embrace the digital age with open arms, eager to explore the boundless potential it offers.
As I pack away the remnants of my past, I do so with a sense of gratitude for the journey that brought me here. The analog days may be behind me, but their legacy lives on in every frame I capture, a testament to the enduring power of photography.