Member Moment: Amanda Hirsch

Amanda Hirsch is a Film Club Member whose photos caught our attention on Instagram. This week she shared with us a group of images that were taken on a trip to California. Scroll down to read our interview with her and to see the bright sun filled photos from her trip.

Photograph of person standing in a pool

PL: What got you interested in film photography?

AH: During the pandemic, I spontaneously bought a film camera on Facebook marketplace to occupy some time while stuck at home. I always wanted to take up photography and I love the idea of having limited shots.

Photograph of person standing in fields in front of Hollywood sign

Photograph of people sitting on a bench

PL: What type of camera do you shoot with and what kind of film do you usually use?

AH: I shoot with an Olympus Superzoom 3000. It’s clunky but the photos turn out so beautiful. I’d say my favorite film is Portra. If I can get my hands on kodak gold I’ll always opt for that!

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 camera of a band playing on stage

Photograph taken with a Olympus Superzoom 3000 of musicians playing on a stage

PL: You mentioned that some of these photos were taken while on a trip to California. What does it mean for you to capture these places/moments on film?

AH: Film photos have such a nostalgic feel to them. Whenever I get my scans back, I’m always tempted to get into scrapbooking. Film photography feels more intentional. Because you only have a limited number of photos available, you have to be pickier with what you want to capture.

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of someone swimming in a pool

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 looking out at the ocean through green bushes

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of someone on a path leading down to a beach

PL: Many of these photos capture people. What do you enjoy about photographing people? What is challenging about it?

AH: I love taking photos of my friends. My photography Instagram is called assorted faces because I love the challenge of capturing something that’s always changing.

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of the landscape in California

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of two people sitting on a beach

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of two people on a beach

PL: Several of your photos have a strong composition. When photographing, what are you thinking before you click the shutter?

AH: Usually I click the shutter after I take a moment to appreciate what’s in front of me. I tend to gravitate towards capturing people, places and things that inspire me. Photography has the same effect as journaling for me in the way that it feels like a release of emotions.

Photograph taken with Olympus Superzoom 3000 of person standing on a beach with their dog

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of person sitting on a beach

PL: Out of all of these photos, which one is your favorite and why?

AH: My favorite is probably the photo of my friend wearing glasses sitting at Venice beach. We had just had a really wonderful conversation about self-love and being alone. The person in the photo is one of my best friends who I hadn’t seen in a while. We spontaneously booked the same trip for the same dates and found out a couple days before we were supposed to leave. This photo was taken on the second day and set the tone for the remainder of the adventure.

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of street along the beach

Photograph taken with an Olympus Superzoom 3000 of two people biking along the beach

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Every day, Club Members take exceptional pictures. If you are not a Film Club Member yet what are you waiting for? Join today to support the photo community in Philly and to start saving money on film processing!