HOME | DD

TomasClark — Remembering Film...

Published: 2011-02-08 18:30:27 +0000 UTC; Views: 2873; Favourites: 73; Downloads: 0
Redirect to original
Description Steve Sandvoss photographed by Tom Clark in Desert Hot Springs, California

Film

It seems strange to think back on film with any nostalgia, but after almost five years of working with digital I'm seeing film getting smaller and smaller in my rearview mirror.

For me personally, B&W digital is still a a world away from B&W film. So if I want to shoot B&W with any seriousness I still pick up my F3 and my Nikkor 105 1.8. For everything else the ease, immediacy and affordability of digital have made it a defacto part of my life.

This image of Steve Sandvoss was taken during a shoot one weekend in Palm Springs where I was dipping my toe ever so cautiously into the world of digital photography. I did most of the work on film and occasionally grabbed a digital camera just to see.

See what?

I don't know. I had a certain amount of disdain for all things digital then but I couldn't deny that a few of the digis I shot that weekend were working for me. From there on out I began to shed a little of my reluctance and little by little made my way out into the deeper waters of digital photography. This image of Steve however was shot on film in the shade of a veranda. I don't even remember for sure what kind but it was likely Tri-x from the look of the grain. It's not even so much the grain that I love but the broad spectrum of tones that B&W digital seems so hard-pressed to see and record.

Evolution is a tough mistress...
Related content
Comments: 18

Jaylayson [2011-09-28 00:14:56 +0000 UTC]

Very nice. I really like the pose. I agree about the black and white. Wish I still had my cameras.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

zsoly [2011-02-19 18:58:32 +0000 UTC]

He looks like Mitch Hewer a little

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

pyrothepoet [2011-02-12 21:22:34 +0000 UTC]

absolutely beautiful picture. amazing setup and wonderful model

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to pyrothepoet [2011-02-12 21:52:56 +0000 UTC]

Thank you. So wonderful to work with people who are that comfortable and at home in front of the camera.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

PepstarsWorld [2011-02-12 20:31:40 +0000 UTC]

Sometimes I wonder if the advancement in technology is advancement at all? I wish things could remain side by side instead of one taking over the other...especially when the old ways are still incredibly valid in this world.

Nice shot. Shows feeling and atmosphere.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to PepstarsWorld [2011-02-12 21:16:38 +0000 UTC]

I like your idea of side by side instead of leaving something beautiful behind. Very nice way to put it. Thanks for sharing that - I'm going to adopt that into my consciousness of film vs digital.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

PepstarsWorld In reply to TomasClark [2011-02-12 21:42:37 +0000 UTC]

Can't wait to see more!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

unseen62 [2011-02-12 19:37:27 +0000 UTC]

wonderful model and light.. love the korn.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to unseen62 [2011-02-12 21:15:41 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! Not sure what you mean by korn? I'm sure I'll feel stupid when you tell me, but go ahead and tell me anyway.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

StevenSWM In reply to TomasClark [2013-10-03 21:45:02 +0000 UTC]

Did he ever tell you what he meant by - korn ?  My curiosity overrides my need not to feel stupid. ha ha

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to StevenSWM [2013-10-04 04:38:30 +0000 UTC]

No, he didn't. But I'm guessing it might be another word for a sarong??? That particular sarong was given to me by my parents from their many years living in Indonesia. My mom said she bought it off a guy who gave it to her and walked off in his briefs. 

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

jrwninja [2011-02-09 03:01:01 +0000 UTC]

beautiful image. yeah, there's nothing like film. I like digital but it's still not capable of some of the same qualities.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

beachelf [2011-02-09 02:49:27 +0000 UTC]

So Striking!!!

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Robert-James [2011-02-09 02:34:10 +0000 UTC]

Reading what you wrote with this image brought back many feelings. The gradients, range of tones.... you are right, digital hasn't fully caught up.... but aaaahhhh!!! the convenience!

LOVE the sarong!

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to Robert-James [2011-02-09 02:54:12 +0000 UTC]

Check out the fullview and look at his hair. That's where B&W film really shines for me. That feathery wispiness and the range of tones necessary to read blonde hair are all right there in film. It almost made me weepy today working on it.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

FrodoPrime [2011-02-09 00:22:42 +0000 UTC]

lovely

👍: 0 ⏩: 0

Solus-Photography [2011-02-08 20:50:26 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful picture Tom, and an iconic and memorable image.

👍: 0 ⏩: 1

TomasClark In reply to Solus-Photography [2011-02-09 00:18:32 +0000 UTC]

Thanks Mike. Doing a little exploring these days - finally have a few minutes to breathe and play with images not destined for a book. It's fun.

👍: 0 ⏩: 0