:: exercise #4: 3 days of portraits with b/w film | 30 people pictures ::

SPECS

• Goal: 30 black and white people pictures.
• Tools: Film camera; lens of your choice.
• Light: Natural or available light.
• Location: Outdoor or indoor.
• Theme: ENDURANCE.
• Duration: Three different days.
• Subject(s): family, friends or strangers.

CHALLENGES

• Step 1: Find a FILM camera.
• Step 2: Choose film -- try the classic B/W Kodak Tri-X.
• Step 3 {Day 1}: Pound the pavement and capture 10 pictures of people.
• Step 4 {Day 2}: Make 10 window light portraits by positioning subject next to a window without directional or direct sunlight. Bracket exposure (underexposed, properly exposed, overexposed).
• Step 5 {Day 3}: Make 10 outdoor portraits.
• Step 6: Make prints of the 30 portraits by sending the film to photo lab.
• Step 7: Reflect on this experience and write down what results you hope to find; set aside 5 top portraits and tape them to your journal; if none turned out nicely, repeat Steps 1 -7.

PRODUCT

• 5 out of 30 BW portrait prints (from film) to put into your journal.

For more tips and inspiration, please read Chris Orwig's "People Pictures."

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My first reaction to this exercise was: Holy @#$% !!! Where am I going to find a film camera and how in ^&*@ am I going to be able to make 30 worthy FILM portraits without giving myself a coronary?!

But that's just the point, isn't it? When we step out of our comfort zone, that is when we really challenge ourselves. While I haven't used a film camera since my little stainless steel point-n-shoot from 1997, I would love a chance to try a Holga 120. For $39.99 (+ $3.49 for a roll of BW Holga film), it is certainly within reason.  On the other hand, if anyone is willing to lend me a film SLR, I'd love to experiment with that as well :-)

Holga Glo 120N Plastic Medium Format Camera (Orange Burst)

Since this exercise requires a lot of heart, sweat and time, let's leave the deadline open. The point of the exercise is to test your endurance and resolve -- keep trying to make great film portraits until you GET.IT.RIGHT. Realistically, however, most people don't have the luxury of dedicating a chunk of contiguous time to an exercise like this. So let's take it one step at a time and make it as enjoyable as possible. I will post my results as soon as I am able, but will post updates in the meantime.

Have fun experimenting!