This week’s Member Moment features work by Film Club Member Irina Varina who embraces the classic elements of black and white film. Scroll down to see her pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
IV: I don't quite remember, to be honest. When I was little, my mom used to shoot a lot, and develop her photos in the bathroom in the dark. One of my favorite pictures is of a 5 year old me with an unapologetically sour face and a shaved head after my kindergarten got infected with lice. I myself only took digital photos until a year ago when one friend randomly gifted me a film camera (I didn't even realize it was film at first) and my other friend bought me 3 rolls of film and taught me how to use that camera.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
IV: Canon EOS 500
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
IV: I mostly photograph people, friends, less often nature or street scenes. I think I often use a camera to connect with someone. Sometimes, it feels like I am “casting” people in imaginary movies in my head and then taking pictures of that. I especially enjoy asking a friend to pose for me, creating a whole adventure out of it with picking clothes, locations, the vibe. This year, I got really into shadow and light. And double exposure. Because of how magical and layered (in many senses) it can turn out.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
IV: It's about all of them. Looking at them now, I realize they're from 4 different cities – Philadelphia, NYC, London, and Paris. Guess which one is which)
PL: What do you enjoy most about film and/or digital photography and what is challenging about it?
IV: I enjoy both digital and film photography. They put me into two different modes. When I shoot digital, the time feels fast. I take a lot of photos, and there is a chance I might capture some of those precious moments that only last a second. Like a momentary facial expression or light falling down on my floor during sunset. With film, the time stretches for me and I drop into the unknown, since I can't see my results until much later. It's uncomfortable and pleasurable at the same time. And I'm obsessed with the texture of film photos, with how alive they feel.
PL: Do you have any goals about how you want to grow this collection of photographs?
IV: I only shot in black and white until recently because color didn't really do anything for me. Then this spring someone asked me to photograph them in color, and I had to see if I could fall in love with it somehow. Turns out combinations of bold colors are exciting to me, and double exposure in color can go into very, very fun and impressionistic places that I do love. So with 5 rolls of expired color film I got gifted last week it might just be time for more color in my life.
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