Kodak Film

WADDAYA KNOW. . . FILM IS STILL NOT DEAD

This is a fascinating little film made by Indie Film Lab and sponsored by Kodak.  Rather than try to explain it all, here is what they have to say;

Published on Nov 16, 2013

Earlier this year, Indie Film Lab took a trip from Montgomery, AL to Las Vegas, NV for the annual WPPI trade show. After we decided it would be more interesting to travel via RV than plane, we started planning our trip around the places we wanted to see. Originally, we had an idea to create a 5-10 minute video of our trip, for fun, then Kodak came on board and our project has turned into a 47 minute feature. The film has now turned the focus less on the trip, to more on the photographers themselves and why they shoot film. We can’t thank Kodak and all our friends who helped and supported us and our project. We hope you enjoy the film and are inspired to create things you truly care for, in a way you are truly passionate. Long Live Film.

You can find the film on YouTube at this address:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjtphPVchJI&feature=youtu.be

I suggest if you are a photographer or are interested in photography, that you sit down and take the time to watch this 47 minute video.  Listen carefully to what the people are saying.  Take note that those interviewed are not a bunch of old fogies “dinosaurs” that are bitter about film getting a bad rap.  These are young, first generation digital only photographers that are beginning to realize that they have been lied to.

They are beginning to “get it!”  They are realizing that digital is not a replacement for film.  It is simply another art form. . . another way of working.  Listen carefully to how nearly everyone interviewed talks about the look of film being different.

This is a breath of fresh air.  Exactly what I was hoping would happen. . . the younger generation has suddenly discovered they have an alternative when it comes to their photographic art.  You cannot hide the truth.  Truth always rises to the top.  Do not be fooled into thinking anything is a dead ringer replacement for anything else. You can bank on it!

Shoot digital. . . shoot film. . . it does not matter to me.  Just don’t tell me film is dead  and that digital is a replacement for film.  Digital can not do everything film can, nor can film do everything digital can.  Not so. . . choose your tools wisely.  As Fred Picker used to say;

“Different Is Not The Same!”

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in Commentary, Film, Photography

AN INTERESTING BOOK “MAKING KODAK FILM” by Robert L. Shanebrook

I have always been a collector of books, and I have always been interested in how things are made. I am especially fascinated with large industrial manufacturing processes. Photography is also more than a fascination for me, it has become my prime interest. I have little interest in the chemistry and mechanics beyond knowing how to make things work, yet I am still fascinated with how things are made. I ran across an interesting book a while back, put it on my list of things I needed to check out, and promptly forgot all about it. Typical for me, but thankfully I did remember the book and ordered a copy.

If you were ever curious as to how photographic film is manufactured, then I can highly recommend a great book on how Kodak makes film. “Making KODAK Film; The Illustrated Story of State-of-the-Art Photographic Film Manufacturing” by Robert L. Shanebrook, is a book I can suggest to answer the majority of your questions about  what goes into manufacturing film. I will quote from the author’s web site;

MAKING KODAK FILMInformation in the book

The book was compiled based on my personal experience plus the input from Kodak experts. Kodak provided access to Kodak Park and assigned experts to the project. Typically the experts explained the operation to me and then accompanied me as I photographed. After I retired I spent over forty days photographing in Kodak Park and many more days in discussion.

In addition, I was aided by input from 24 Kodak retirees. In most cases the retirees were the predecessors of the current Kodak experts that helped me. I also utilized the advice of ten experts from outside Kodak. To insure accuracy the manuscript was reviewed by many of the people that provided information used in the book.

I am grateful to over ninety people who helped me with the book.

Author

Bob Shanebrook graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology and worked at Eastman Kodak Company for 35 years before retiring in 2003. At Kodak he worked as a commercial photographer, researcher, product development engineer, film manufacturing manager, and for over twenty years was a Worldwide Product-Line Manager for Kodak Professional Films. He was involved in nearly all aspects of Kodak’s black-and-white and professional film business.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the art and craft of film manufacturing. For me this was a slow read since the book is mostly photographs. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, with some of these machines, it may be more like ten thousand.

Mr Shanebrook has self published this book and I can recommend it is a good one. . . two thumbs up from me. A great read if you are interested in just how complex the film in your camera is to produce. More information and how to order a copy from the author can be found HERE.

JB

Posted by JB Harlin in Film, Photography