I Still Shoot Film

Julia | Shot with a Kiev 88

Marie Meyer | Shot with a Kiev 88 and Fuji Provia 100F

Blake Myers @ Next Model Management | Shot with a Kiev 88 and Kodak Portra 160 pushed to 3200

For this image I took 2 film photos and scanned them on top of each other, not unlike doing a double-exposure on paper in the darkroom.

I decided to try pushing some Kodak Portra 160 to 3200 and intentionally creating light leaks on my Kiev 88 during my last fashion test. Although I am pleased with the results, I do not recommend trying this for something important. I was also shooting digital for the sake of the modeling agent, which means if this didn’t work it wasn’t the end of the world.

More Renee | Shot with a Kiev 88 and desaturated Fuji Provia

Renee | Shot with a Kiev 88 and desaturated Fujichrome Provia 100F

More from the Ottavia et Emma lookbook

Shot with a Kiev 88 and Fujichrome Provia 100F

I did this for a lookbook for a young clothing company called “Ottavia et Emma.” The model is Marie Meyer, one of the most beautiful, professional and easy-to-work with models I have ever met. Shot with a Kiev 88 and Fuji Provia 100F (regular process.)

Let’s talk about using film for professional photography…

First off, even I do not attempt to use only film - this makes clients very nervous. Instead, I shoot both without saying anything, and I include the film photos with digital photos when I send the final image selection to the client. In my experience, clients ALWAYS choose the film photos as their favorite, which makes me smug in a good way. Personally, I shoot with both my Kiev 88 and my Nikon FM2 for professional shoots - and I always shoot Fuji Provia. (However, I do not cross process for professional shoots unless the client gives me permission to go creative crazy). I should also note that if you intend to use film for photo jobs, you must be able to provide high resolution scans.

This image was shot near the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris, with a Kiev 88 and Fuji Provia 100F (c-41 process.) It’s part of a small editorial I did a couple of years ago, you can see more here and here.

Rue Saint Antoine | Shot with a Kiev 88 | Cross Processed Fuji Provia 100F

Man Walking, Rue de Rivoli | Shot with a Kiev 88 | Cross Processed Fuji Provia

Rue Beautreillis, Paris 4e | Shot with a Kiev 88 | Cross processed Fuji Provia 100F

Chez Moi | Shot with a Kiev 88 | cross processed Fuji Provia

I think this is possibly the first time in my entire life that I have ever hated a light leak. This was shot with a Kiev 88, and mine doesn’t have any light leaks… it was because I am stupid and didn’t have the back on snug :(

PS It’s cross processed Fuji Provia, which seems to be all I ever shoot anymore…