A Look Into Another Perspective...

For me, shooting film is about the experience, the look, and the feel.  In its entirety film has always been there, even when I wasn't using it.
Although there are some who know nothing else other than film, while there are others that are stuck in the middle.  Loving film for all its attributes, and the feeling of ... well, because it is film, and having to use a Digital camera for reasons such as work, or because their client is on a super tight deadline and needs the photos as soon as possible, where film can be a few days to a week before anything is ready.
I have mentioned about a good friend of mine, John Meadows, and he is a strong passionate, and very good, film shooter.  Now when I mention about "very good" I mean, he's very good!  His portraiture is some of the best I have seen.  Him and Andrew Koran are probably the two best portrait shooters I know. 
Both are film shooters, and both use digital cameras.  I'm not really sure how Andrew feels about Digital cameras, other than the fact that he uses a Minolta, I mean a Sony Camera, where as John doesn't embrace it.
Now this isn't a blog about a pair of Portrait shooters, but a blog about film in general.  One of those films is Fuji Reala.  Now I've been a big Reala fan for a couple years now..

"Apple Blossoms" - Praktica LLC - Vivitar 135mm ƒ/2.8

"The Road Away" - Rolleicord V - Schneider Xenar Kreuznach 75mm ƒ/3.5

"Hyena" - Praktica LLC - Vivitar 135mm ƒ/2.8

"Brightly Feathered" - Praktica LLC - Vivitar 135mm ƒ/2.8

Reala renders very faithful colours, and very true to life.  Sadly, it is not manufactured anymore.  But you can still find it rather easily.
John had never used Fuji Reala, but found someone locally selling large quantities of Fuji Reala in 120 size.  After hearing how I raved about how nice Fuji Reala is, he had to buy some.  Err, some?  He bought a bricks worth of Propacks!

He attended a lighting workshop recently, and happened to bring along a roll of Reala that he exposed in his Rolleicord IIIa.  I would say I'm impressed with the colours of the film, especially after seeing the digital images and how similar the look is... 

"Dancer on Film" Rolleicord IIIa - Schneider-Xenar Kreuznach 75mm ƒ/2.8
Photo taken by John G Meadows
Posted with Full Consent and Permissions

Absolutely stunning work!  Proof again that film still, and always will, have a place in all forms of photography.

The other film that I swear by is Fujichrome Astia 100.  A stunningly lifelike and incredibly accurate E6 transparency film.  I find that there's no colour bias either.  It's very faithful, and renders very true to life colours.

"The Tale of Kitty" - Zenza Bronica ETRs - Zenzanon 75mm ƒ/2.8 PE

It's incredibly lifelike tones, and faithful rendition makes this one of the most premier portrait films, especially if you're after true-to-life colour, a super fine grain, and brilliant clarity.
Of course, now, I'm jealous.  After giving more than just a rave review on this film, John picked up some 4x5 sheets of Astia.  Not only is it Astia, but it's in Sheet film! 
Talk about jealousy!!
I am dying to see what he can do with this film.

So my hats off to those film shooters that incorporate their daily life of digital doldrums with film!  Nothing better than the feeling of film in your hand, especially if that film is transparency film.

Until next time fellow Bloggers...  Keep those shutters firing!
And remember.. support film.
Buy a disposable camera from time to time...
Print your work...
And above all, have fun!

Also, check out the Film Photography Project for cameras, tips, news, and above all.. Film.  That's right!  They have some of the best prices for film, ship internationally, and are adding new items regularly!