Limited run of 50 copies — “Locals Only,” is a zine that I created with the intent to show a story of what that phrase means to me. The book consists of various images from my trip to Japan, Paris, and here at home in Los Angeles. The way I compiled the book is for the reader to come up with their own story of how various settings, people, and objects correlate with the phrase “Locals Only,” Because in my own interpretation is that anyone can be a local if they learn to accept their environment, the people around them, and the culture instilled in the community. I wanted to share my creativity with you to show the emotion and craft I put into piecing this together for you to be a part of “Locals Only,” Thank you for showing love and being a great supporter of my love for photography. Please enjoy this book and write me your thoughts on what the phrase means to you!
The Light
It’s pretty crazy how the last time I updated this was back in early February of 2018. 2-3 years prior to the Covid -19 pandemic. I decided to stop shooting for quite a while, not because of covid, but because I kind of lost track of it. Things were getting very busy leading up to the pandemic with work, my personal life, and etc. I’m not really blaming those things for putting a halt to what I love doing. I kind of put it on the backburner to focus on those other things as a priority. It’s funny because I just had a talk with a friend about how this pandemic kind of told people to SLOW DOWN… nevertheless it made me slow down. I forgot how to enjoy the moment and to really take my time and capture the things that surround me: my environment, the people around me, my daily routine, and just doing the things I love.
Getting back in to shooting photography or film rather was sudden. I didn’t think I’d get back into it so quickly and how expensive it’s gotten even in the last two years. But a friend contacted me and asked me for advice on what kind of camera to get and so forth. The more I talked about analog film, I started to really dive into the deep end once again. As soon as you know it my motivation and all these past ideas started to light a fire in me. I started to look for a new (used) camera(s) and ended up getting two old film point and shoot cameras. The Konica Big Mini & Contax T3 (Yikes, if you know anything about the film game right now…I know — that’s another story).
I’m always surrounded by photos whether it’s digital, film, printed flyers, ID cards, you name it. And getting myself back into shooting again feels such a nice revelation after this long past year. I wish I documented more last year, but I’m glad I’m back on the right track again with the same old goals and new ones for the future me. As for now here’s to continuing projects with a newfound motivation because at the end of the day, I never felt out of love.
Kitchen Conversations
Kitchens aren't a place where you just cook or eat. I've always found it to be the most interesting place in any home to strike up a conversation. I did a small series with my best friend that would evoke all types of emotion in such a simple setting. I made sure everything I captured was as natural as can be. So I told her, let's just talk.
We talked about her life, my life, what our aspirations are now that we're in our a mid to late 20s. The more we talked the simpler things got. I began to understand the profound nature of being in the kitchen and why it's a catalyst for all kinds of conversations. It can cater to any mood at any time of the day. It immerses itself with the people in it and by doing so it becomes a place for people to unwind, speak their mind and soul whether: they're happy, angry, or sad. It sparks ideas, creativity, and imaginations waiting to be shared.
So I shot two rolls of 120 film (medium format): Kodak Portra 160 to capture the warmth and complexity the colors provide. Fujifilm Acros 100, black and white film to emphasize solely on facial expressions and emotions during our conversation.
Out with the New? In with the Old?
Today's feature is fellow 35mm film enthusiast Apich who's been shooting with old 35mm cameras for quite a while. The lost art of analog photography is making its comeback, slowly, but surely. There's something aesthetically pleasing about film that digital photos cannot amount to. Is it the grain? Is it the unintentional light leaks? The distinct temperature a film has? Or the smell of the chemicals from a newly opened canister? Whatever it is, people have managed to forgo using film altogether through out the years.
Long ago many people were going to brick & mortar photo labs to get their films developed & printed (Costco, Rite-Aid, CVS, and etc.), whether it was from disposable cameras or normal point and shoots just like Apich's Yashica T5 featured in the gallery. There are many factors that led up to this point. The cost of photography hasn't always been cheap. You buy the camera, the film, get it professionally developed, scanned, and or printed. It's become a hassle whereas digital photography has made it easier for the consumer.
People have become prisoners of digital photography. The only thing tangible that's related to the photos they take is the mechanism itself: The "smartphone". With the smartphone, people are capable of sharing digital photos across the world in an instant through social media: "what filter should I use?"
Apich has stayed true to the analog art form. He goes to his local photo lab in Los Angeles that still processes film. Although it doesn't take an hour anymore, he stays patient. Shooting frugal and taking a week or even months to develop a roll of film. It's always a surprise to see what gets scanned / printed, but that's the beauty of shooting analog. You don't know the result right then and there. The anticipation leading up to seeing your shots is what made analog his go to medium for photography. It's a different vibe. A vibe worth keeping around for the long haul. It isn't dead. And enthusiasts like him will only continue to keep that wave going.
