Many of you who know me know that I seldom used Kodak products-especially when I was first starting out. I was always a Fuji and Ilford fan, it’s true, there’s no denying it. But, there’s something about the notion that Kodachrome is going away that really gets me. You see, a lot of photographers shot Kodachrome over the years. It’s a great film. While I’ve not shot much of it, even I have shot some of it myself over the years.
It’s not just about the film though. It’s more the notion that there’s one less option out there-one less process for a photographer to try, one less type of film we can use, one more decision a camera or film manufacturer has made for us. I like options-options are good. Without options, all of our work would start to look the same. If there’s anything you should know about me (by now) it’s that I don’t like work that looks “the same.” In fact, I’ve always been a big fan of “the different” (for many reasons, and in whatever form that takes.) So there you have it. I said it. I’m going to miss Kodachrome. Not because of any nostalgia, not because I’ve shot thousands of rolls of it (I haven’t) just because I’m one of the many people who just doesn’t want to see it die.
I’d be curious to hear your take on the whole Kodachrome issue. Did you shoot a lot of it over the years? Or were you more a fan of that old Paul Simon song than the film itself? Will you miss it when it’s gone? Or, perhaps, are you happy to see it go?
So much for those “nice bright colors” and those “greens of summer.” Sorry, call me crazy, say what you will, but “Mama don’t take my Compact Flash away” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Until next time…
Author
Sometimes things go away and then come back. The vinyl record being a current example. My children's generation have all the digital toys, but what are they buying? Turntables, and vinyl records….Currently hot, as well as newly emerging bands are increasingly issuing vinyl versions of their sound. Audio signals are less compressed on vinyl, than on digital…fuller sound. Vinyl is more tangible and involving as a package that represents a kind of ownership in 'a piece of the artist'. Unlike tunes downloaded to Ipods, the vinyl LP can be held in the hands and manipulated, examined. I think kids are liking the warmth of all that. So, who knows whether a thing is really gone, or simply waiting to be re-explored?
Author
I always used Kodachrome, my sister used Fuji. Most of my family used Kodachrome.
Author
I always used Kodachrome but these days I'm not even sure where my old camera is and far prefer the ease and flexibility of digital. Until I read your post I didn't even know about the demise of Kodachrome… But I'm sorry for your loss!
Janice.