Lillie Allen is a Film Club Member who’s photos caught our attention on Instagram. This week we interviewed her to share her photos with the community and to get to know her better. Scroll down to see it all!
PL: What got you interested in film photography?
LA: After I graduated college I noticed I took a lot of digital photos but never really loved taking them since I was going through hundreds of shots of the same thing, trying to find the perfect angle. Film piqued my interest because you have a limited number of shots in a roll of film - you have to be intentional with every picture.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with and what kind of film do you usually use?
LA: Right now I’m shooting on a cheap plastic Kodak Ektar H35 that I got as a birthday present back in December. I’m still new to film photography so I haven’t had the desire to splurge on a camera. I’ve definitely got a favorite film, though. I love Portra 400 and the amazing color it gives.
PL: All of your photos are taken in color. What are some qualities that you like about color film?
LA: I’ve always been described as a colorful person, so I think color film really expresses my personality. I photograph a lot of my time down the shore, and I think color film is great for capturing the depth of the water and the amazing sunsets.
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
LA: I try to capture moments that I feel happy or serene. A great example is the picture of the train. I was at the end of my roll of film and tired after a long day at work, so I was ready to go home. The lighting in the station was weirdly cinematic so I started taking shots of the platform. When my train pulled up, I clicked the shutter and hoped for the best. Needless to say, I’m glad I took the picture.
PL: All of your photos have a beautiful quality of light. When photographing, what are you thinking before you click the shutter?
LA: I learned about lighting the hard way - my first roll of film was incredibly dark and I was so sad that my photos didn’t look the way I had intended. I think that made me search for light when taking pictures. I like to take pictures using natural light, it makes everything seem more ethereal and dreamy, which I love.
PL: Out of all of these photos, which one is your favorite and why?
LA: The photo of the two women at the table. It’s my nana Louise and her best friend Karen. These two older women are sitting in front of windows full of sunshine, doing the thing they love most- crafting. I love the way it displays their friendship in the place they love most, while still being a beautiful shot.
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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!