In the age of digital and instant photography, the art of film photography is objectively ridiculous - an expensive and often delayed form of gratification with a high percentage of missed shots. But when all the magical ingredients align perfectly, film produces images that evoke raw emotions. As I look back on my photos from this past summer - from the landscapes of Alaska to the bustling streets of Morocco - these are some of my most treasured capture.
Photography
Morocco on Film: Leica Minilux /
Earlier this summer, we went to Morocco for the first time. And as a photographer, I had a bag full of cameras and lenses to capture the vivid colors of Moroccan cities and communities.
Despite having only a handful of publishable photos from my traditional digital cameras, I was determined to capture the essence of Morocco on film. Every snapshot taken with Leica Minilux is preserved forever in grainy images and vivid colors. Unfortunately, my camera did not make it through the entire trip and fell apart on our final day - but the film remained intact. Some of my favorite analog memories frozen in time:
Alaska on Film: Kodak Gold 200 with Leica MP /
Continuing with my film series and my need to experiment with different film stock - I bought a bunch of rolls of Kodak 200 given the price range and the ease of availability.
As much as I appreciate the vibrant hues in some of the shots, I have to admit that this particular film stock falls short in certain scenarios. The brightness and saturation often come out dull and lackluster, unless there is an abundance of natural light.
The Kodak Gold 200 film gives off a warm, vintage vibe with its slightly yellow and grainy appearance. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and adds to the vintage aesthetic of the photos. Below are a few samples from the Kodak Gold 200 - all shot with the Leica MP.
Alaska on Film: Kentmere 400 with Leica MP /
After selling my re-issued M6 last year, I thought I was done with film photography. But then I couldn't resist the Leica MP and ended up buying one. As much as I love my Sony kit, there's just something about shooting with film that draws me in. Part of me wonders if I made the right decision, as I've gone back and forth on whether or not to use Leica multiple times before.
This time around, I'm determined to fully commit to shooting with film. In the past, I would often switch back and forth between digital and film, never fully embracing one or the other. But this time, I'm holding myself accountable by going all in.
I've also been experimenting with different film stocks, something that I never really did before. From black and white to color, from low ISOs to high ISOs - each type of film has its own unique look and feel. It's been so much fun seeing how each roll turns out.
The photos below show a mix of landscapes, portraits, and daily life moments, all captured with the Leica MP, the 35mm f/1.4 steel rim and the Kentmere 400:
South Caicos and Sailrock Resort /
Nearly everywhere I’ve lived as an adult has been next to the water.
My wife and I love the water and nearly all water activities. A lot of our trips are to the beach in different continents and we go scuba diving whenever our schedules permit.
Last month, I had an opportunity to visit the Sailrock Resort in Turks and Caicos. Originally, it was planned as a family trip - but due to some last minute priorities - it ended up being a trip with my brother for the first half and solo for the second half.
Having been to Turks and Caicos a few times before - I walked away from my last trip feeling conflicted. It was too crowded and had become too touristy. For this trip, we specifically booked Sailrock Resort in South Caicos and it was an incredible adventure.
Getting to Sailrock Resort:
Getting to the resort is definitely a bit of a hike. Most people arrive at Providenciales International Airport and can either spend time hanging out at the airport or can take a taxi to one of the nearby bars. While we didn’t have enough time to leave the airport - our preference would’ve been Bugaloos. Having been there on nearly every trip to the Turks & Caicos, it’s a fantastic way to eat some amazing food - while staring into the picture perfect ocean.
We were booked on a charter plane to the resort - which ended up being delayed. Thankfully, with only 6 passengers on board - we were able to quickly get to the resort in under 20 minutes. The flight was as scenic as they come - absolutely stunning.
At Sailrock Resort:
Once we got to the resort, the stunning views and the helpfulness of the staff didn’t stop. Every day, waking up in paradise and staring out into the ocean was truly an escape from the brutal New York winter. We had excursions planned for a few of the days and truly enjoyed our snorkeling and fishing adventure.
Each night, the sunset over the calm beach was a thing of beauty that was difficult to capture and even more challenging to put into words.
The staff in particular - was absolutely incredible. They were helpful, friendly and generous - something that I’ve only found in high-end resorts in Asia.
While the overall coordination and the communication of the property’s management could be significantly improves - especially at the resort’s price point - they were sincere about fixing mistakes and doing the right thing.
Overall:
In a simple statement - I can’t wait to come back again. The hospitality, the views, the staff and the forced disconnect from the world made it a trip I won’t forget anytime soon.
