From one end to the other end of the globe

Ricoh GR1V w/ expired Konica Chrome R-100 (double exposed)

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The Ricoh GR1V doesn't offer an in camera multiple exposure option, so I had to opt to reloading the film in the same camera after I exhausted all 24 frames in the first round for my doubles above.  It takes me quite some time to go through 24 frames these days, that by the time I reloaded the film for a second spin, I had forgotten what and 'where' I had captured. It was quite a pleasant surprise to develop the roll and see that the camera had traveled further than I could remember. Images shot in Cabo da Roca and Alfama were overlapped with those from Berlin and as far as Malibu from the end of summer 2018. I no longer recall where I picked up that old roll of Konica Chrome film but it did bring fond memories of cross processing the Kodak Elitechrome or Agfa CT Precisa way back in the day! The color pop is quite a welcomed characteristic of older slide film and works well in both bright and low light situations. Except for the last few precious rolls hidden in the depth of our film fridges, they're almost impossible to find these days. Just as a reminder you can always visit our rather extensive Film Index to check out all the different films we've had a chance to shoot and look at!

-eleanorrigby236

If you have stories, questions, photos and comments to share, do write to us at strictlyfilm@gmail.com

What have we been up to?

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With the whole world stuck in the same conundrum of a pandemic keeping us grounded and locked down, we no longer can say that life got in the way and now more than ever, we are engulfed by everything that is happening all over the world. All the ups and downs, the good and bad, the exciting and of course all of the sickening.  We hope that everyone is keeping sane and safe out there as we attempt for the tenth time to kickstart this abandoned pipeline of ours. The one connection we had to many likeminded souls out there. If you have not already, do look us up on Instagram @coolgirlsshootfilm and say hello!    For one more time, we will try.

Memories of Penang, Pearl of the Orient

LOMO LC-A+ (Splitzer) w/ Agfa CT Precisa 100 (souped, double exposed)

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Hello all, this post has been way overdue. 3 years ago in fact. Life and general malaise on my part gave me enough excuses to not update this site…however I must say that during our times of AWOL, we have never stopped shooting! So rest assured we have tons of material accumulated over these years to share, haha.

So let’s get on with it. The photos above were shot w/ Agfa CT Precisa 100 which was previously souped. My go-to recipe has always been hot water mixed with some laundry detergent. The film was dunked for about 30 mins as I find that even if left overnight, the so-called emulsion tampering doesn’t change much. In fact, dunking it for too long will make the film canister rust faster (if that made any sense) and the film might snag thus causing problems to your camera winding mechanism. As always, be sure to dry your film thoroughly before popping it into your camera.

The goal of my project at the time was to photograph and mash up some of the famous street art & murals in Penang’s Heritage Zone of George Town. If you ever get the chance to come down to the Pearl of the Orient, be sure to go on a walking tour and discover the wonders of street art and savor the culinary delights Penang has to offer.

–delusiana

Road Trips and more...

Apparently we turned 8 today! (Nikon FM2n w/ Cinestill 50)

A few years of quiet has passed on this blog, but that doesn't mean that we have stopped shooting film. In fact we have been on numerous trips and adventures in the past few years, always, always lugging with us our trusty film cameras!!

As Tumblr loyally informed us, it has been exactly 8 years since we launched this blog featuring unconventional experiments, marvels, and failures surrounding our explorations into film photography. But it hasn't been just about us here at CGSF, it was and always will be about everyone else who share their inquests and gambles with film that make this place a warm and welcoming pool of resources for the keen, curious, and even the practiced mind. We hope to continue our work here and continue to receive the support and interest from YOU! In the time we were absent, we've received many requests and messages which we will try our very best to get back to! Please be patient with us, we know that's asking for a lot after a 2-year hiatus. 

But now, to what's important. The images I chose to feature in this comeback post were all shot on one of my favorite color negative films, the Cinestill 50D which was made based on motion film emulsion for C-41 processing. I have seen many results online where pictures come out with very low contrast and even with an annoying green tint, but I have shot a few rolls and have always been extremely satisfied with how accurate the color rendition is with the Cinestill 50D. This film is rated at ISO 50 which, as you know, requires a lot of light, so I knew I had to take a bunch with me when I was last out in the desert. I cannot stress that this fine grain film works best under a lot of natural light... I have not had as satisfying results on rainy or cloudy days unless I used the flash. I always keep this film for that extreme sunny day and trust me the pop in color will marvel you. The brown tone of this film gives your pictures that retro feel which is something that many film shooters love, certainly one of the reasons why I choose this film.

The pictures above were shot on my last trip to East Jesus located just a little past Slab City and the Salvation Mountain. All amazing places to see and photograph. There is just so much to take in, that one visit is never enough, hoping to go back soon.

--eleanorrigby236

Prague never lets you go...

Nikon FM2n w/ Lomo Cine 400 Tungsten

...this dear little Mother has sharp claws," a famous quote from Franz Kafka, a native of Prague, about his hometown. Took these shots on my second holiday in Prague, I've been there many times for work, but I actually went back for a longer stay, just because there is much about Prague that beckons at me. This time I was prepared with my film camera to document some of my favorite spots there.

I chose the Lomo Cine 400 Tungsten film for this task.

I love this film for its ability to produce amazing shots under low light conditions and still retain sharpness and detail. The subdued tones definitely make your images look like cinematic stills from an indie movie, what more with the film's silky smooth fine grain. Amazing contrast, cool tones, surprising shadow detail, this film is everything you need to capture the mood and atmosphere of a scene before your eyes.

NOTE!!! A very important tip to remember when shooting with Tungsten film is to always shoot in yellow light and never in blue!!!

On another note CineStill is attempting to get their 800ISO film produced in medium format and it is being crowd funded here. I urge you all, we really need to make this happen so make sure to check out their page.

--eleanorrigby236

A Recipe for Magic 

Pentax Spotmatic w/ Agfa Vista 200

I use the pseudonym Jessica Ashley Unknown to represent my film-based photography. I use film manipulation, including film soaks, multiple exposures, film scanning techniques and now mixing other medium with my photos to create my imagery.

All the photos you see were taken on one of two rolls of AGFA Vista 200 colour film that were soaked in aftershave overnight prior to shooting in a Pentax Spotmatic.

You can see more of my work on my website or on my Instagram @jaunknown.

--Jess

We at CGSF are actively accepting submissions on anything film photography related. Click here for more info. (AND YES, WE FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUYS TOO!)

All Hopped Up!

Nikon FM2 w/35mm and 50mm lens on various B&W film

I am a photographer based in Toronto, Canada. I started taking photos of my friends hanging out in night clubs & then after going to a rockabilly festival in Marion, IN, I fell in love with the scene there & have been photographing at different rockabilly & hot rod shows all around the U.S. & Canada ever since. I have loved using film for this project because it suits the look of that era perfectly.

Film used for this set included the Kodak Plus-X 125, Ilford FP4 - 125, and Ilford Delta 3200.

--Liisa Morton

CGSF: Thanks for your submission Liisa! Thanks for sharing your captures with us!! For more pictures that will take you back to a different time visit Liisa's blog here.

We at CGSF are actively accepting submissions on anything film photography related. Click here for more info. (AND YES, WE FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUYS TOO!)

the fair at night

Holga 120 & Diana Mini w/ Lomo Redscale and Fuji Velvia

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These spectacular long exposure shots are courtesy of Beth Maciorowski who is a self taught photographer who shoots primarily with film, often manipulating it and developing at home. She has a vast collection of cameras and expired film and feels most inspired by nature. You can find more of her work on her Flickr! or follow her on IG @bethmaciorowski Don't these images just make you want to grab that tripod of yours and head out into the night to capture something just as splendid right at this very second??! It takes patience and preservation for long exposure photography, AND on film to boot, but you know the results will always astound.

Thanks once more Beth for your psychedelic pop-images, which acted as the kick in the tush I needed to jump start this blog. Yes, CGSF did take yet another leave of absence and no excuses will be made on behalf of our tardiness!! Shame on us!!! Boo! Despite us being AWOL, we still received tons of submissions from our amazing readers and we promise to return the endearment  from all of you for not giving up on us by sharing them in the following days. Keep up the amazing work girls and boys and always BELIEVE IN FILM!!

In other news, eleanorrigby236 has just recently moved to Berlin and hopes to start shooting on film again as she explores the city made for walking, one day at a time! 

xoxo, CGSF

in dreams i climb towers of fear

Zenit 12xp w/ Danubia auto wide 35mm f2.8 lens on ilford HP5 400 ISO

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My name is Lisa-Marie Kaspar, I am 22 years old and a student from Germany.

I have been shooting on film only since a year and a half now and I feel like i've found a way to express myself and my feelings best. I want to share an unpublished series with you which I have taken a few weeks back with my zenit 12xp shot at f2.8

It was already late in the afternoon when i took these selfportraits, so they are grainy, but this is something i really realy like about them.

--Lisa-Marie

CGSF: Thanks Lisa for sharing your pictures with us and we love how you have taken "selfies" to a whole new level!! Keep up the amazing work! 

We at CGSF are actively accepting submissions on anything film photography related. Click here for more info. (AND YES, WE FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY GUYS TOO!)