I tried to find a definitive video on the internet that explained how film works. I couldn't find that video.... so I decided to make it. I called Indie Film Lab and they were all about it. I love film photography and would love for you to try it. They're at www.indiefilmlab.com/
who didn't experience it, doesn't know how much she/he missed I wish they come back stongly againt. The meaning of "taking a photo" and the "photo" itself should get its value back
Even though I was born in the 90s, I always have this strange nostalgic feeling when I look back at film photos...it is as if I am living the moment even though I wasn't there! Thank you for your amazing work!
You’re such a hipster Destin! And I’m here for it. I agree there’s a real magic to capturing images this way. I love how the actual photons from the scene go into making those little silver crystals on the negative.
People have told me to try film cameras on so many occasions and I always brush it off as hipster nonsense. This video convinced me I was wrong. This is such a lovely process
Look, that's the thing about hipster nonsense - there's a tangible reason why people appreciate anything. It gets to people's feels somehow, history, legacy, process, rarity, whatever. But it's still hipster nonsense! Digital is so convenient and has reached such crazy quality, it's not really practical to do anything else. I used to sometimes do film as well, have done in the past, long after i got into digital 23 years ago, didn't actually enjoy much, probably won't do again, can't be arsed. But it's also not helpful to put an arbitrary border between yourself and other people. You're being a literal hipster if you say "oh those are hipsters, i don't like what they like, because i'm not a hipster".
Well, it’s the newest of the crazy old technology… process hadn’t changed much for a long time and the 90’s is probably when they stopped making the equipment so it is the newest old stuff they could find. Old tech but only slightly old machines.
My Dad was a chemist who worked for Kodak from 1935 - 1975 in their photochemical division. If he were alive today, he would be happy that people are keeping this technology going.
@@susanroche597 Absolutely NOT true. Where are you even getting your information? Kodak is still making film and have actually stated that due to the increased demand for it, the company has hired HUNDREDS of people to work to make film. Fujifilm paused production due to the pandemic (which has since past), and they’ve even talked about reintroducing the previously discontinued emulsions such as Pro 400H.
When folks who love what they do get together, magic happens! Thank you for trusting our crew with your film, Destin. We had so much fun when you spent the day with us and we're so proud to share our passion with the world. The art of film photography is here to stay. LONG LIVE FILM.
I was impressed with this crew from the minute he walked in your place! I no longer shoot film, but if I ever decide to again...I know where I am sending it!
this is why it’s coming back. its not just because it’s trendy and cool or whatever, it’s just that this generation needed to find a thing to ground them, to allow them to stop living in autopilot. film photography makes you feel like what you do actually matters, it’s not a photo out of tens of thousands, it’s one out of 36. so you care more, pay more attention, take your time. we needed this.
Spot-on! I'm 18 and recently bought an instant film camera and man, only getting 10 photos per pack and with the price of that thing where I live makes me care about every single photo so so much more
Going through the whole film to digital route, there is no way I'm going back to film media, maybe it was something you had to go through to understand. lol the perks of being old i guess.
That's just it, the development process is hardly a trade-secret, it's very well known and documented, and they aren't really doing anything unique, so they had no reason not to share it, and stood only to gain exposure (pun intended) from participating. (I suspect their prices are a lot higher than your local film place; they have to pay for all those employees and fancy equipment somehow. So only pros will be using them.)
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z Exactly, if they would have taken what was learned since the late 1880s and created a whole new kind of ecologically friendly film roll and developers, now that could be a game-changer, But today we are satisfied with just reinventing the wheel for most of the out of dated products and technologies, everyone keeps saying its the Digital age that killed the film roll industry when in reality it is the cost materials and chemicals. much like batteries are doing for gas.
I just shot film for the first time in 25 years today. You're 10000% correct in the beginning of the video. I feel like my composition was significantly better than it usually is when I use my digital cameras. I'm absolutely hooked, and plan to learn all the processing steps so i can do everything from developing to printing at my own home.
I have about 5-6 full rolls of film that need to be developed - sitting for a long time! Maybe Ill send them here. They all seem like they enjoy their jobs.
@Eric P. can confirm. I've used 40 year old expired Tri-X before. Bit more difficult to use and not the most amazing outcome, but it worked out pretty well
Aw man, you shoud've gone in to the process of making a photographic print! It makes the concept of a negative image make so much sense! It's a physical case of two negatives combining to make a positive!
One of the greatest things Destin does, aside from delivering knowledge, is showing how to ask good questions about a subject that is unknown or mostly. He's teaching how to self-learn...how to be smarter every day.
I had film cameras but after using digital cameras I wouldn't want to go back they're a whole lot cheaper you can see what you're getting right there and I can do without that magic. With a computer there is a lot of magic that film can not.
I'm only 20 but I've been shooting film for most of my life, but only started shooting it as a job and developing it myself at 17. I'm just glad to help push this old format into my generation and am happy to see videos like this introducing it to wider audience of people who may have never came across it.
@@ziinx5899 I'm able to use my medium format film (Most of my client work is digital) to offer some Clients, as a freelance photographer, a higher quality of photo without having to buy a digital medium format camera. Since digital medium format cameras could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollar range, While I got my film a medium format camera for a couple hundred.(medium format film being 120 instead of 35mm)
Many of the resurgent film shooters are millennials. If you go onto Instagram and search on film, you'll see. I started photography in the 70's and converted to digital in 2004. But 3 years ago I went back to film; it adds a whole different level of creativity to shooting.
The timing of this video is really fantastic. I'm just starting on a project that uses film and just bought my first film camera. It's a nikon n8008, and I got some iso50 film for it since I need the tiniest grains possible. I didn't actually know that lower iso directly meant smaller grains. I mean maybe I did subconsciously because the low ISO stuff all had the smallest grain listing but it didn't click until you showed some different iso film side by side. If I could find 35mm film that was even finer grain I'd get it, but gotta start somewhere. I was planning on developing the film myself but I think as a control I may end up sending some to these folks to see if it makes a difference. I'm trying to replicate a spy technology from the cold war and I think you'll love it if it works. I already knew how grain and development works but seeing their setup was fascinating. That machine is amazing.
I could hook you up with some Fujicolor ITN, this stuff is about 6 iso and the resolution is incredible. I do my own film development in ECN2 Color, mix my own chemistry from powder. I could help you out for a fraction of the price of the lab. My instagram is @w.t.burton if you want to contact me
Lowest I've ever seen is ISO 0.8 from FilmPhotographyProject. Zero point eight, or 1/8th the sensitivity (and *possibly* grain size but don't quote me) of ISO 6. Still available too.
i come back to this video a lot, and as someone whose fallen in love with film and film cameras there’s SO MUCH to get enthralled in, the chemistry of the film, the mechanics of the camera, the creative aspect of taking the photo, there’s so much to love, and every time i take pictures on film, i learn something new every time
On Saturday, I browsed a local camera shop and Destin uploaded this on Sunday. Monday, today, Destin walked in while I was purchasing my first film camera - at the same shop. It was a pleasure to meet you, Destin!
That's awesome to have a local camera shop. The closest one to me is almost 2 hours away in Savannah, Ga. When we visit my wife's mother in Florida, I always make it a point to buy from a little camera shop in New Port Richey, Fl. They are one of the few remaining camera stores in the state. I'm not planning on a trip to Alabama anytime soon, but what is the name of the camera shop?
@@CellBlok69wLamp I can still get film at my local Walmart. If you want a wide range of film choices, B and H photo has a large selection. I buy film from them that I can't get locally.
Thank you for reminding me of my roots, I did photography in high school and I still have all my dark room stuff and 35mm SLR all boxed up in the basement. I think it might be fun to dig it out and develop some new memories: )
The granularity of film (especially B&W) is not only a function of the film sensitivity, but it becomes an essential artistic tool. Digital, even with PhotoShop added grain, just does not have the same feel. Watch a well made, B&W movie like "The Seventh Seal". The film was chosen to create an atmosphere in the movie.
Kind of like "dialing" a number on the phone. Old phones had a rotary DIAL that rotated when you put your finger in a hole representing a number and turned the dial. Now you push a button (several actually) to "dial" a phone number. Let's not go in to "hanging up" the phone just yet. :)
I took a black and white film photography class in College. I was able to do the whole process by hand multiple times and it really is something special. I'll never forget that class and would suggest taking one for anyone interested in this kind of stuff. It really is magic.
I know what’s different: Film: I’ve finally got this roll developed with some graduation pics, a few of me on my birthday, and some of me riding my bike for the first time. Digital: Who wants to see 156 photos of my lunch?!
I see a lot of exactly reverse. 99% videos about shooting film on youtube are done from a variation of script "I got hold of this ultra rare unique film, that's only X rolls remain in the world. Watch me take pictures of dirt, clear sky and some more dirt with it. I won't even try to to make a composition, why bother! This film is so amazing you are not gonna believe how amazing this film is, I don't even need to think, this trash on the driveway will look so rad!!!"
Person: That lunch was delicious, why wouldn't I want to memorialize it with 156 photos? Person2: Wasn't that the last meal you shared with your grandmother? Did you take any pictures with her? Person: ..........
I just want to say thanks to Destin for inspiring me to take the old camera my grandfather-in-law left us and put it to good use. I've since shot and developed over 10 rolls of film and I've been having an absolute blast doing it! It's interesting to learn photography for the first time on a camera that's older than I am!
I thought I was cool having a car that was 7 years older than I am, but what's really cool is driving it somewhere to take pictures on a camera that is 21 years older than I am!
17:59 It's subtle but devastating that entire craft can be lost when businesses die. People don't quite realize the amount of uncaptured knowledge within the world of business and industry.
Jim Halpert: "If I left, what would I do with all this useless information in my head? You know? Tonnage price of manila folders?" We can put so much into a craft. But once it's not important.... Then it's like, "now what do I do with all this useless information." That hurts, but it only hurts because we care or see some beauty in that craft. It wouldn't hurt at all to someone else who didn't care or didn't see the beauty. It's weird.
This, specifically, is why our government’s handling of the recent COVID crisis and the continued efforts to devastate certain parts of our economy are so dangerous. They are purposefully exterminating great centers of knowledge that could be lost forever.
If you watch old black and white movies you really get a sense of the knowledge that has been lost. People were so much more mannered and well spoken back then. There was just something different. Film is an example but there are many things we are losing forever as our elders pass.
Thank you so much for this perfectly done video. Also, scanning and digitizing or printing the scan is one thing, but there is also, directly exposing the image from the film directly on photographic paper, in the dark room. That's also a beautiful process, where you can choose how dark or bright you want your print to be. It's beautiful, but as an option, when you want a direct print for yourself or a gift.
I have no idea how to say this other than seeing how passionate you are made me cry. I had been watching several of your videos but it wasn't until the moment you opened that email with your photos, the waterworks started running. It just kindof hit me suddenly. You're endlessly curious and from what I've seen it's insatiable. Really though, everything you do is absolutely amazing. You and everyone you work with light up my day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.
I run a photo lab in Massachusetts(one of the few left), I can definitely say there has been a HUGE uptick in people bringing in not only 35mm film to develop, but also 120 film. As a photographer, I really miss film. Something about film that you can not duplicate with digital.
I think it's because an image on film is an actual physical thing (silver particles) and not just a digital recording of light levels at a given moment. The tangible object just seems more satisfying.
And for me there's just this warmth (not tone but emotion) and candidness of film. Even if the shot doesn't turn out quite the way you wanted, there's still something very personal about it that I just love.
"really cool old machine they kept running from the 90's" Really cool old machine... From the 90's. Really...old machine... from the 90's From the 90's *Checks birthday* *Cries*
I watched this when it first came out and knew the moment I shot on my first film I’d be sending it to Indie. Earlier this month, that moment finally happened and truly truly-it was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had in a while. There truly is something so tangible and special to film. It preserved the moments in time like no other photo I’ve ever taken. And to know the process and the care put into developing my images, it genuinely made the whole thing all the more exciting. They have made a life long customer out of me. As long as Indie Film Lab is around, I will be sending my rolls to them! Long Live Film indeed!
Just got my first 35mm film camera as a gift and sent in my first roll to be developed. I've already started getting that special feeling you talk about every time I snap a picture. Thank you for such an in depth and passionate review of this awesome form of art. Can't wait to see how my first roll turns out!
I took a photography class in highschool and we did all of our own developing and everything, so I get what you mean about that psychology behind it and how special and unique it feels. Even more powerful was when we made pinhole cameras. Manually controlling the aperture and a long setup and teardown time elevate that sense of required precision and preciousness. Thanks for sharing all this cool information and reviving that passion
I'm an old person. Early in my life I didn't wear glasses. Then after lots of computer work I had to wear glasses. Then after retiring and moving to a rural area I quit wearing glasses...and my far vision recovered...and my near vision held...for a while. But now my eyes are telling me I need glasses to see near...the opposite of the correction I used before. I just refuse to go back to glasses (with corrective lens). For short periods (like when reading a menu) I can see fine. But over time (e.g. 15 minutes) my eyes can no longer adjust to near vision. Solution? I have glasses with rows of tiny perforations...i.e. pin hole cameras. They take the strain off my eyes...everything near and far is in focus.
I had a photography class in high school we had our own dark room and developed our own film. I'm now into digital photography to this day. Aka high quality camera. Phones are easier 🙄😔
Me: "Why don't they use night vision goggles?" Thomas: "We also have night vision goggles." Me: "Ooh! I wonder if they're PVS-14 or..." Thomas: "They're from Toys-R-Us." Me: "...oh..."
To be fair though, you'd have to turn on the it on the pvs14 to see in that room, so you wouldn't get much improvement over some cheap green 1 or 2 night vision
0:36 “…you stop, you know you have 36 rounds, you take the shot - pull the trigger…” This is the difference between a sharp shooter and a machine gun operator… in a tactical environment.
@@fredred8371 There has to be a name for this, where having more of something makes you more prone to fail because you have a crutch. When you have one shot and one shot only, you succeed out of knowing that if you don't you can never try again
@@fureversalty If everyone was immortal, we would be doing careless things and not take our futures seriously. This "permadeath" reality makes us more careful with our lives. Therefore it is only appropriate that we call this the YOLO effect.
Someone told me recently, and this will sting if you were a kid in the 1990s: Talking to kids today about the 1990s is like talking to a 90's kid about the 1960's.
His curiosity- he asks genuine questions and is genuinely excited to learn. High empathy, and a high level of understanding, with a willingness to be the one that doesn't know.
Smarter everyday never disappoints, Its just crazy how indulging and emotional Destin is when he makes a video, he just puts his heart and soul into it. Love you Destin❤️
I just bought an old Nikonos V waterproof film camera a couple weeks ago and I've been so excited to sue it but also incredibly anxious as I had no idea what the film process entailed. You've truly answered every question I could've ever thought to ask and I'm even more excited now to see what warm, cozy, nostalgic images I can produce. Thank you so much!
To be fair, the way Industry has progressed in the last century, something from the 90's is extremely old in machine years. Some get phased out every couple of years.
@@uncleslam9022 It's a machine that lifts the film up and down through tanks, " dipping and dunking" it. The caveat over a leader card or roller transport processor was that the film never touched any surfaces and it was much safer from scratching. The lab I worked at used a Hostert for C41 and a smaller machine for E6, we reeled b&w and tank processed it.
Well its important for this in particular. I used to work at Walgreens all the film reels and film printing papers had to be handled in the dark I had to do alot of practice before I was able to do any of that trash can included lol
Forsooth, I don't think people shooting adult stuff want to wait for them, let alone having strangers see them. I'm surprised Destin didn't ask what they do about photos of illegal stuff (assuming they get any anymore). Ostensibly, there is a clause in the form you fill out when submitting the roll that says you agree that they will contact the police if there's anything illegal. 🤔
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z I bet he did ask questions like those, but this episode had such a lovely feel to it, he probably decided not to include the ‘legal stuff’. Keep it happy. Just my thoughts.
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z Trust me, they still do. And most if not all photo lab techs don't care. They just seen a lot of stuff... havent met a tech that does not take their work seriously. But that might just be me using profesional labs
Destin - I really enjoy these "factory tour" videos; from your ULA video to the nut harvesting, they reveal a hidden world that few of us ever get to see. Thanks for all your amazing work.
I think the different feeling of film also has to do with the fact that there is no aliasing effect that you have in CCD/CMOS image sensors due to the regular alignment in an array. A digital image is discretized, an analog image is continuous. Also, chromatic aberration is probably less of an issue in film. I think these effects combined make a subtle difference to all edges and fine detail.
Yh all sensors produce an analog signal which is converted to digital. By taking a reading of the signal at regular intervals storing those numbers digitally.
Analog can mean a lot of different things - the signals out of a pixel on a sensor are analog. But you still have discretization in spacing. Tbqh you also have this on film - the grains in the emulsion. They’re more irregular, though, which can look nicer
*total darkness* "So what do you actually use this for?" "To be able to see?" I love how there was no reiterations of what destin was trying to say it was just a sudden "Oh im dumb" moment
Thank you, Destin and team It brought tears to my eyes thinking of the hundreds of hours I used to spend in the darkroom developing and printing photos. I haven't picked up a film camera in years, but you are inspiring me to catch up with the old cameras that used to accompany me on every adventure I went on,
I recently picked up my first 35mm camera (Pentax P30t) and film and I loved using it! getting my first roll sent away this weekend so we'll have to see! I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this video and I can guarantee I'll be shooting a lot more!
When that happened I immediately remembered Destin mentioning in a previous video how he subconsciously picks up and mimics other peoples' speech patterns. After he mentioned that I can't not notice when he does that.
Whist I relate to your feelings I must say that more often than not I was pissed of with exposure etc. With digital you see what you've got straight away, you don't like it change the aperture etc. and snap away then enhance in Photoshop to get a filmy look if desired.
Been doing film photography for 4 years now and i'm loving every moment of it. I currently have two SLR's, Olympus OM-1 and Canon AE-1. My favorite films are Kodak Portra 800, Fuji Pro 400h, Fuji Superia 400 and Cinestill 800t. I've also learned how to develop my own films with using the paterson system tank, c41 unicolor chemical mix and epson V600 scanner. I love my hobby.
Much like vinyl, the "feel" of film photography comes from *imperfection.* Human eyes do not see perfectly, our brains are hardwired to focus on colors like green (because we evolved to live among green plants) and tan/orange/red (because those are our skin tones) and the chemistry required for film to work properly was designed in such a way that it prioritizes those colors. So when we get film prints or scans back, they look magically "natural" and organic because they're closer to the color toning we relate to in the beauty we see in the world. With vinyl, the "warmth" people ascribe to the sound compared to digital is present because of harmonics, the same harmonics our ears pick up on and our brains subconsciously detect, and it *feels* good. Digital reproduces everything consistently, and over time we get used to that consistency, but when we compare it to analog images or sound, we can instantly tell that the analog versions retain the imperfections our brains are naturally inclined to focus on. This is why film/vinyl enthusiasts often refer to the digital counterparts of recorded audio/video as "sterile" or less interesting, because it doesn't recreate the imperfections that coincide with the biases our brains are naturally inclined to focus on. It's natural, organic, genetic magic :) Cool video, thanks for sharing.
Exactly! Its also why modern music often sounds kinda lame. The beat of a song is quantized, the pitch is autotuned. Everything is perfect, but feels kinda soulless. If i look at the music i listen to its mostly rock from the 60s through to the early 2000s and thats because in the mid 2000s the tools to do the quantization and autotune became standard. I love the imperfections of old music and the graininess of film photography cause it makes it human/ feels natural.
I mean i guess you get more photos, but even with 500 good photos, you rarely get more than 20-30 actually usable and worth keeping photos EDIT: same, but to a lesser extent holds to shooting film
14:20. It is not a chemistry game. Chemistry stays exactly the same, whenever possible on a Refrema processor. The flags on the rack dictate the TIME the film remains IN the chemistry. More time/less time equals a push/pull decision by the photographer -- effectivly exposure compensation. If you detiermine the lab is consistent, request "NORMAL processing" and no PUSH or PULL. Only push or pull if you think you under or over exposed the film. How do you determine this decision? Request a clip test. They literally cut the tail end of your roll off, process it, and let you see it. Then you decide how to process the rest. Unbelievable in the digital age. Props to you if this matters. -MP
Chemicals do not staying the same during the day on a negative processor machine it has to be replenished ! I worked for Kodak Holland I know how a photolab looks like.
God this video just hits all the right spots; science, photography, art, emotion. Thanks for convincing me to take the leap and start shooting film, Destin!
I think why we like those photos as much is probably because new cameras make photos that look real, sometimes too real. And with those film photos they still look like photos and keep their magic.
When I was a teenager, I spent 5 years working in a lab. I'm in my 50's now, had a bunch of jobs since then. The lab work was still the best job I ever had. This really takes me back. Thank you!
Just started film photography a few days ago. You’re right, there’s a certain magic about it. I’m already in love with my film camera. I can’t wait to start this journey
Some dryers use separate methods of drying, such as a ventless dryer. So it was a completely valid question. As for the night vision goggles, they originally said they learn the feel of the room and go based off sound, smell, etc. So when they pulled out the goggles, maybe there was a specific use-case for them that he wanted to know, since they said before they didn’t really go based off their eyesight in the dark room. There was nothing wrong with the questions at all. They were perfectly reasonable and help understanding of the situation. :)
@@DropTheMag It's much easier to find a dropped roll of film using vision. Sound & smell play a part, but mostly experience builds a map of the room in your brain so you touch something, recognize what it is and know its position so it is X steps in X direction to go where you want to be.
My mom (she's 89 now) worked in a film processing lab for 30 yrs. She did all this. I remember being a kid going into the lab and smelling all the chemicals. She worked in the "dark room" doing the processing. Later on she did professional color correction..by hand. This was back in the 60's and 70's. I'll show her this video and I'm sure it will bring back memories. All this is a much newer process than what she worked with. Thank you for this...............
This video hits home with me. When I was growing up all through my young life I can recall this dark and somewhat mysterious room in our basement called "The Darkroom" it was filled with all sorts of mechanical things and tubs and sinks and the most unique set smells. It seemed truly magical that one day my Dad was out with us taking photos or home movies and just days or even hours later there they would all be on proof sheets. Mom and Dad and every so often the kiddos would choose the best ones. Off he would go and a few snacks and play time later, Boom, there they were all still holding the magical smells and the warmth on the print dryer still clinging to the prints. Dad had all sorts of different papers that had all sorts of different textures and different glosses from supper shiny to the really flat and some with a deep texture to them. Those papers we were really careful with because of the price. As I grew I started becoming more interested and would join him and got to understand much more of the process. One of my favorite parts was working with the "Inlarger". You could be a part of bringing a photo to life. I learned how to time the image and how to correct for some mistakes by shadowing with all sorts of tools and even how to hold the negative at angles to change the focal plane of the print to enhance and certain qualities of the photo. Then off to watch the development of the photo itself. Watch the image start to form almost out of no where. It was wonderful to watch. Dad had 14 cameras and a huge selection of lens options to go with them. He would take time to explain what each did and oversee as I grew to have some experience. I can still remember the summer I ask if I could take a camera and use it for a project. He ask about the project and why I wanted a certain camera to accomplish a look I was after. After what seemed like a two hour discussion, he said sure son use what you like. It wasn't until much later in life did I understand the smile on his face. I guess after countless hours of training and working with different cameras and tools in printing we ended up at the one point it time when he knew I understood, not only the value of the camera in my hand, but also the techniques I had in mind to provided a certain result. I guess it was a point of passage for he and I. He was proud to see one of his sons first real accomplishments. I come from a family of 6 kids. My father was a Architect. He had a Doctorate in Architecture and Masteres in Mechanical engineering. He was a pretty smart fella. I still have that old enlarger and a few of the more collectible cameras he had in his collection. So Thank You! Watching your video brought back so many memories for me.
I just bought a Canon AE-1 with 3 lens and all it's accessories for $1 at a thrift store yesterday and this video pops up in my feed. I'm so excited to start taking pictures!
This is the guy who's son got his drone stuck high in a tree so they took out a .22 rifle and shot the drone out of the tree. Great shot too, one shot one drone!
Some film cameras are built like solid tanks with their film winding advance lever feeling like a charging handle and their shutter sound going off like a weapon.
I used to work for a professional photo lab-this is really taking me back!! Except, the film processor we had was much bigger and dragged the film along an unbroken track that went up and down into the various chemical baths.
Hey Destin, i hope you continue things like these, topics that actually intrigue you. Please never fall for the TH-cam algorithm. I love how you really enjoy doing these projects.
developing film and enlargements is so fun and the smell of those chemicals is so nostalgic for me. my photography teacher in high school used to say the light "tickled" the silver
Loved this! I usually develop with my university, which uses the more traditional tanks, but my secondary lab for when the university is closed uses dip and dunk. Great to see how that works because there’s less information. I do the scans myself - the university also has a lab for that - and it is truly incredible. I never cared much about hobbyist photography until I got into film.
So, what you're saying is, when someone takes a great picture and exclaims "this is gold!" I should tell them the cold hard truth that it's actually just silver? :-)
As an avid film photographer, this was completely wonderful. I don't use labs often (I enjoy self-developing!), but Indie is always great when I use them! I hope more people will continue to pick up this wonderful medium for the first time or pick it up again. Thank you for this!
film never went away in the professional medium/large format photography because of how clear and sharp the images are at scale. most digital sensors cant touch medium format film, and none can get anywhere close to large format sheets. the only space digital has really completely taken over is in the professional and consumer 35mm space.
I agree. Why wouldn't it be a Batman symbol. I thought the same thing before the guy even said it. I also came to the comments to say this same thing before I saw your comment.
I tried to find a definitive video on the internet that explained how film works. I couldn't find that video.... so I decided to make it. I called Indie Film Lab and they were all about it. I love film photography and would love for you to try it.
They're at www.indiefilmlab.com/
It was super easy, barely an inconvenience
who didn't experience it, doesn't know how much she/he missed
I wish they come back stongly againt. The meaning of "taking a photo" and the "photo" itself should get its value back
@@mabbasi_of hopefully
Even though I was born in the 90s, I always have this strange nostalgic feeling when I look back at film photos...it is as if I am living the moment even though I wasn't there!
Thank you for your amazing work!
So happy this video came together! I learned more than I'd like to admit 🙊
You’re such a hipster Destin! And I’m here for it. I agree there’s a real magic to capturing images this way. I love how the actual photons from the scene go into making those little silver crystals on the negative.
LMAO he really is.
But we still dont know the 1 way speed of light😭
Hi dirk!
Funny how I love both of your channels.
Sadly I miss Grant Thompson the King of Random. My favorite 3.
People have told me to try film cameras on so many occasions and I always brush it off as hipster nonsense. This video convinced me I was wrong. This is such a lovely process
It changes the whole photography experience into something amazing
I was wrong about it at first too by the way
When I carry my film camera on me in public, people tend to lighten up and look curious.
Look, that's the thing about hipster nonsense - there's a tangible reason why people appreciate anything. It gets to people's feels somehow, history, legacy, process, rarity, whatever.
But it's still hipster nonsense! Digital is so convenient and has reached such crazy quality, it's not really practical to do anything else. I used to sometimes do film as well, have done in the past, long after i got into digital 23 years ago, didn't actually enjoy much, probably won't do again, can't be arsed.
But it's also not helpful to put an arbitrary border between yourself and other people. You're being a literal hipster if you say "oh those are hipsters, i don't like what they like, because i'm not a hipster".
But they go on about physical v digital, but they never print the photos. Ultimately they are digitized and emailed.
“This is crazy old technology - from like the 90s.” That hurt more than my knees.
'Crazy Old Technology'. I felt that in a part of me that I didn't know existed.
well I was barely born in the 90s so its old to me lol
I am 42 old now, the 90s is my best days
Well, it’s the newest of the crazy old technology… process hadn’t changed much for a long time and the 90’s is probably when they stopped making the equipment so it is the newest old stuff they could find. Old tech but only slightly old machines.
My knees felt that same pain also.
My Dad was a chemist who worked for Kodak from 1935 - 1975 in their photochemical division. If he were alive today, he would be happy that people are keeping this technology going.
Big problem. Kodak isn’t making any new film stocks or cameras. Film is literally dying from low supply.
@@susanroche597
Absolutely NOT true. Where are you even getting your information? Kodak is still making film and have actually stated that due to the increased demand for it, the company has hired HUNDREDS of people to work to make film. Fujifilm paused production due to the pandemic (which has since past), and they’ve even talked about reintroducing the previously discontinued emulsions such as Pro 400H.
@@susanroche597 I guess the film I just bought isn't real lol
@@susanroche597 im still using film for my travels
kodak is THE film producer in 2024, what are you talking about?@@susanroche597
When folks who love what they do get together, magic happens! Thank you for trusting our crew with your film, Destin. We had so much fun when you spent the day with us and we're so proud to share our passion with the world. The art of film photography is here to stay. LONG LIVE FILM.
“Back in my day, digital photography was more common than film.”
imagine
I was impressed with this crew from the minute he walked in your place! I no longer shoot film, but if I ever decide to again...I know where I am sending it!
My fleXtight says hi ;-) Your lab and crew are amazing ! LONG LIVE FILM !
Why is this comment not pinned? Thanks for giving us all a look into your world. Very interesting.
You guys are inspiring, you care so much about your work.
this is why it’s coming back. its not just because it’s trendy and cool or whatever, it’s just that this generation needed to find a thing to ground them, to allow them to stop living in autopilot. film photography makes you feel like what you do actually matters, it’s not a photo out of tens of thousands, it’s one out of 36. so you care more, pay more attention, take your time. we needed this.
As a 21 year old, you hit the nail on the head.
Spot-on! I'm 18 and recently bought an instant film camera and man, only getting 10 photos per pack and with the price of that thing where I live makes me care about every single photo so so much more
"it’s not a photo out of tens of thousands, it’s one out of 36" right in the feels !
This company is about to get a lot of well deserved business, I imagine.
Going through the whole film to digital route, there is no way I'm going back to film media, maybe it was something you had to go through to understand. lol the perks of being old i guess.
@@patprop74 weird flex.
That's just it, the development process is hardly a trade-secret, it's very well known and documented, and they aren't really doing anything unique, so they had no reason not to share it, and stood only to gain exposure (pun intended) from participating. (I suspect their prices are a lot higher than your local film place; they have to pay for all those employees and fancy equipment somehow. So only pros will be using them.)
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z they charge more than twice what my local place does
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z Exactly, if they would have taken what was learned since the late 1880s and created a whole new kind of ecologically friendly film roll and developers, now that could be a game-changer, But today we are satisfied with just reinventing the wheel for most of the out of dated products and technologies, everyone keeps saying its the Digital age that killed the film roll industry when in reality it is the cost materials and chemicals. much like batteries are doing for gas.
I just shot film for the first time in 25 years today. You're 10000% correct in the beginning of the video. I feel like my composition was significantly better than it usually is when I use my digital cameras. I'm absolutely hooked, and plan to learn all the processing steps so i can do everything from developing to printing at my own home.
I have about 5-6 full rolls of film that need to be developed - sitting for a long time! Maybe Ill send them here. They all seem like they enjoy their jobs.
Sadly film has a shelf life.
@@KalRandom yes it does but the self life relates more to unexposed film.
You must do it! It will be like finding cash from some old Jeans
We have many, many undeveloped film rolls here.
@Eric P. can confirm. I've used 40 year old expired Tri-X before. Bit more difficult to use and not the most amazing outcome, but it worked out pretty well
Aw man, you shoud've gone in to the process of making a photographic print! It makes the concept of a negative image make so much sense! It's a physical case of two negatives combining to make a positive!
We see that experiment in Jack Black's movie Be kind rewind.
Absolutely! I feel like he really missed this part, because the scan process is just a digital photo with extra steps
Absolutely. That's where the magical moment is.
can it be in a long enough video and be second part of this vid?
I don't see why that can't be its own whole video
One of the greatest things Destin does, aside from delivering knowledge, is showing how to ask good questions about a subject that is unknown or mostly. He's teaching how to self-learn...how to be smarter every day.
I had film cameras but after using digital cameras I wouldn't want to go back they're a whole lot cheaper you can see what you're getting right there and I can do without that magic. With a computer there is a lot of magic that film can not.
@@davidcalvert238 ok
3:41
I'm only 20 but I've been shooting film for most of my life, but only started shooting it as a job and developing it myself at 17. I'm just glad to help push this old format into my generation and am happy to see videos like this introducing it to wider audience of people who may have never came across it.
Can I ask how you were able to turn it in to a job? Sounds awesome.
@@ziinx5899 I'm able to use my medium format film (Most of my client work is digital) to offer some Clients, as a freelance photographer, a higher quality of photo without having to buy a digital medium format camera. Since digital medium format cameras could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollar range, While I got my film a medium format camera for a couple hundred.(medium format film being 120 instead of 35mm)
The passion in them for their work is truly something to admire.
Many of the resurgent film shooters are millennials. If you go onto Instagram and search on film, you'll see. I started photography in the 70's and converted to digital in 2004. But 3 years ago I went back to film; it adds a whole different level of creativity to shooting.
The timing of this video is really fantastic. I'm just starting on a project that uses film and just bought my first film camera. It's a nikon n8008, and I got some iso50 film for it since I need the tiniest grains possible. I didn't actually know that lower iso directly meant smaller grains. I mean maybe I did subconsciously because the low ISO stuff all had the smallest grain listing but it didn't click until you showed some different iso film side by side. If I could find 35mm film that was even finer grain I'd get it, but gotta start somewhere. I was planning on developing the film myself but I think as a control I may end up sending some to these folks to see if it makes a difference. I'm trying to replicate a spy technology from the cold war and I think you'll love it if it works. I already knew how grain and development works but seeing their setup was fascinating. That machine is amazing.
I could hook you up with some Fujicolor ITN, this stuff is about 6 iso and the resolution is incredible. I do my own film development in ECN2 Color, mix my own chemistry from powder. I could help you out for a fraction of the price of the lab.
My instagram is @w.t.burton if you want to contact me
@@w.t.5136 You beat me to it. I was going to say I found some iso 6 film on B&H the other day.
@@TheSH1N1GAM1 Dupe film is common, Most film resellers like FPP or other guys spool it onto 35mm cans and then sell it for $15 which is crazy!
Lowest I've ever seen is ISO 0.8 from FilmPhotographyProject. Zero point eight, or 1/8th the sensitivity (and *possibly* grain size but don't quote me) of ISO 6. Still available too.
I totally read this in your video voice
This video made my day
I'm remembering that I used to remember this stuff.
Developed film in the bathroom.
i come back to this video a lot, and as someone whose fallen in love with film and film cameras there’s SO MUCH to get enthralled in, the chemistry of the film, the mechanics of the camera, the creative aspect of taking the photo, there’s so much to love, and every time i take pictures on film, i learn something new every time
^ This guy gets it
On Saturday, I browsed a local camera shop and Destin uploaded this on Sunday.
Monday, today, Destin walked in while I was purchasing my first film camera - at the same shop.
It was a pleasure to meet you, Destin!
Hope you get some good shots man!
That's awesome to have a local camera shop. The closest one to me is almost 2 hours away in Savannah, Ga. When we visit my wife's mother in Florida, I always make it a point to buy from a little camera shop in New Port Richey, Fl. They are one of the few remaining camera stores in the state. I'm not planning on a trip to Alabama anytime soon, but what is the name of the camera shop?
What a bizarre coincidence haha, I love it!
Hi, I'm Destin. Welcome to your future.
wow :o :D
As a film shooter and a long time fan of this channel, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this video. Thank you!!
Same ❤❤❤
This video just make regret selling my only old camera for 100$ ... Now it was selling at 1000$..
@@isDatBoi ripppp. what was it
where do you buy your film? I have an 'inherited' film camera just need film
@@CellBlok69wLamp I can still get film at my local Walmart. If you want a wide range of film choices, B and H photo has a large selection. I buy film from them that I can't get locally.
"what would you use these for?"
"To see"
Absolutely loved that laughed out loud
Thank you for reminding me of my roots, I did photography in high school and I still have all my dark room stuff and 35mm SLR all boxed up in the basement. I think it might be fun to dig it out and develop some new memories: )
this made me bust out my old milnolta x-570 and maxxum 5k
@@toohip I just got a minolta x570 from mY dad
@@kainoa1290 I inherited mine from my dad. Pretty decent film cam
Fell asleep with my phone open, lol. Sorry for the random comments 😂
Ok…. The fact that The “grain” concept is LITERELLY grains ofsilver totally blew my mind
Same.
The granularity of film (especially B&W) is not only a function of the film sensitivity, but it becomes an essential artistic tool. Digital, even with PhotoShop added grain, just does not have the same feel. Watch a well made, B&W movie like "The Seventh Seal". The film was chosen to create an atmosphere in the movie.
@@samslades
Silver screens aren't called that because of the film, rather the screen surface containing silver or aluminum to increase reflectivity.
The analogue magic is in the film grain!
Kind of like "dialing" a number on the phone. Old phones had a rotary DIAL that rotated when you put your finger in a hole representing a number and turned the dial.
Now you push a button (several actually) to "dial" a phone number.
Let's not go in to "hanging up" the phone just yet. :)
Destin, with a set of night vision goggles on: "So what do you use this for"
Hannah: "To see"
Had me cackling
Same energy as
"how do I look?"
"with your eyes"
HAHAHAHA dad joke outta nowhere
@@madmansprinkles How do you feel? With my hands.
How do you get rid of the butterflies in your stomach?
Stop eating caterpillars.
I think he got flustered around Hannah and then went into awkward mode
She was kinda cute
Destin, the quality of your videos is blowing my mind lately! You have taught me so much. You've just earned yourself another patron!
Thank you so much Claudia! I’m super grateful for the support. I’ll keep working to try to earn it!
I took a black and white film photography class in College. I was able to do the whole process by hand multiple times and it really is something special. I'll never forget that class and would suggest taking one for anyone interested in this kind of stuff. It really is magic.
The way destin makes the people feel appreciated by hes reactions is so wholesome.
I think there's an understated value to expressing appreciation in the moment.
This guy is 70% information, 70% great attitude and energy.
Don’t ask me about the math, that’s just how he is
I know what’s different:
Film: I’ve finally got this roll developed with some graduation pics, a few of me on my birthday, and some of me riding my bike for the first time.
Digital: Who wants to see 156 photos of my lunch?!
May the universe have mercy on all who deny these words. Also, lol totally agree.
I see a lot of exactly reverse. 99% videos about shooting film on youtube are done from a variation of script "I got hold of this ultra rare unique film, that's only X rolls remain in the world. Watch me take pictures of dirt, clear sky and some more dirt with it. I won't even try to to make a composition, why bother! This film is so amazing you are not gonna believe how amazing this film is, I don't even need to think, this trash on the driveway will look so rad!!!"
5 nice pics hidden in a sea of 2000 memes.
Person: That lunch was delicious, why wouldn't I want to memorialize it with 156 photos?
Person2: Wasn't that the last meal you shared with your grandmother? Did you take any pictures with her?
Person: ..........
Exactly right
About night vision gogles
Destin: So what you use it for?
Hanna: To be able to see
Destin: *slowly fades away
That's on him, he set the bar too low
This part was great 😂
I just want to say thanks to Destin for inspiring me to take the old camera my grandfather-in-law left us and put it to good use. I've since shot and developed over 10 rolls of film and I've been having an absolute blast doing it!
It's interesting to learn photography for the first time on a camera that's older than I am!
I thought I was cool having a car that was 7 years older than I am, but what's really cool is driving it somewhere to take pictures on a camera that is 21 years older than I am!
17:59 It's subtle but devastating that entire craft can be lost when businesses die. People don't quite realize the amount of uncaptured knowledge within the world of business and industry.
Jim Halpert: "If I left, what would I do with all this useless information in my head? You know? Tonnage price of manila folders?"
We can put so much into a craft. But once it's not important.... Then it's like, "now what do I do with all this useless information." That hurts, but it only hurts because we care or see some beauty in that craft. It wouldn't hurt at all to someone else who didn't care or didn't see the beauty. It's weird.
This, specifically, is why our government’s handling of the recent COVID crisis and the continued efforts to devastate certain parts of our economy are so dangerous. They are purposefully exterminating great centers of knowledge that could be lost forever.
If you watch old black and white movies you really get a sense of the knowledge that has been lost. People were so much more mannered and well spoken back then. There was just something different. Film is an example but there are many things we are losing forever as our elders pass.
"you have night vision goggles?!?!" "yeah!" "do you use them?" brilliant commentary
I get similar with my Flir. "You have a thermal camera?" "Yep." "You actually use it for something?" "I do have a use case..."
😂😂😂😂
Yeah
"So what do you use them for?"
"So what would you use this for?" 😆
21:00
When the guy started his tour with a cheap magic trick I knew it was going to be a good video.
Hahahahaha
Thank you so much for this perfectly done video.
Also, scanning and digitizing or printing the scan is one thing, but there is also, directly exposing the image from the film directly on photographic paper, in the dark room. That's also a beautiful process, where you can choose how dark or bright you want your print to be. It's beautiful, but as an option, when you want a direct print for yourself or a gift.
This Hana melted my heart :'(
Mine too😉
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yeah, he seemed a bit enamored with her...understandably so.
Yeah I bet that's not all she melted. It doesn't make sense but whatever.
Mine too, .🤩
"Why is it a Batman symbol?". "Why wouldn't it be?".
Best answer!!
Why would it be?
I'm quite good with stereotypes, but couldn't be able to figure out he must have batman tattoo lol
For a split second I was hoping he would reply "I'm Batman!". ☹️
Right! Amazing
I thought he said " I wanted it be"
I have no idea how to say this other than seeing how passionate you are made me cry. I had been watching several of your videos but it wasn't until the moment you opened that email with your photos, the waterworks started running. It just kindof hit me suddenly. You're endlessly curious and from what I've seen it's insatiable. Really though, everything you do is absolutely amazing. You and everyone you work with light up my day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for everything.
I run a photo lab in Massachusetts(one of the few left), I can definitely say there has been a HUGE uptick in people bringing in not only 35mm film to develop, but also 120 film. As a photographer, I really miss film. Something about film that you can not duplicate with digital.
I think it's because an image on film is an actual physical thing (silver particles) and not just a digital recording of light levels at a given moment. The tangible object just seems more satisfying.
@@williamgreen5575 Well put.
And for me there's just this warmth (not tone but emotion) and candidness of film. Even if the shot doesn't turn out quite the way you wanted, there's still something very personal about it that I just love.
Cine Lab?
@@KyleMiko No. SLR 35mm and 120/220 film developing.
"Why is it a Batman symbol?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
It's the bat cave
His confusion from that question is so adorable hahaha
Time stamp?
"really cool old machine they kept running from the 90's"
Really cool old machine... From the 90's.
Really...old machine... from the 90's
From the 90's
*Checks birthday*
*Cries*
I guess we all become old machines if we are lucky. The 90s isn't 10 years ago anymore!
Why he needs to hurt us like this!?
I recently discovered that the host here was a student of my cousin (a rocket scientist professor). A student. I'm old.
I know, right? That kinda stung.
Yup, that one hit me pretty hard.
I watched this when it first came out and knew the moment I shot on my first film I’d be sending it to Indie. Earlier this month, that moment finally happened and truly truly-it was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve had in a while. There truly is something so tangible and special to film. It preserved the moments in time like no other photo I’ve ever taken. And to know the process and the care put into developing my images, it genuinely made the whole thing all the more exciting. They have made a life long customer out of me. As long as Indie Film Lab is around, I will be sending my rolls to them! Long Live Film indeed!
Thank you Rachel!! Let us know if we can help in any way !
"Why is it a batman signal?"
"Why wouldn't it be"
Destin left the chat 😂
The moment you realize you are not the greatest nerd in the room :)
I didn't even know I wanted to learn about this today, but I'm so excited to finish this video!
yes
"Why Do you use that?"
"To be able to see" XD OMG That killed me.
Lol yeah
💀💀🤣🤣
Stupid everyday.
Time stamp?
@@bennybooboobear3940 21:02
Just got my first 35mm film camera as a gift and sent in my first roll to be developed. I've already started getting that special feeling you talk about every time I snap a picture. Thank you for such an in depth and passionate review of this awesome form of art. Can't wait to see how my first roll turns out!
I took a photography class in highschool and we did all of our own developing and everything, so I get what you mean about that psychology behind it and how special and unique it feels. Even more powerful was when we made pinhole cameras. Manually controlling the aperture and a long setup and teardown time elevate that sense of required precision and preciousness.
Thanks for sharing all this cool information and reviving that passion
I'm an old person. Early in my life I didn't wear glasses. Then after lots of computer work I had to wear glasses. Then after retiring and moving to a rural area I quit wearing glasses...and my far vision recovered...and my near vision held...for a while. But now my eyes are telling me I need glasses to see near...the opposite of the correction I used before. I just refuse to go back to glasses (with corrective lens). For short periods (like when reading a menu) I can see fine. But over time (e.g. 15 minutes) my eyes can no longer adjust to near vision. Solution? I have glasses with rows of tiny perforations...i.e. pin hole cameras. They take the strain off my eyes...everything near and far is in focus.
I had a photography class in high school we had our own dark room and developed our own film. I'm now into digital photography to this day. Aka high quality camera. Phones are easier 🙄😔
Me: "Why don't they use night vision goggles?"
Thomas: "We also have night vision goggles."
Me: "Ooh! I wonder if they're PVS-14 or..."
Thomas: "They're from Toys-R-Us."
Me: "...oh..."
Yes can someone tell people digital night vision isn’t actual (practical) night vision?
To be fair though, you'd have to turn on the it on the pvs14 to see in that room, so you wouldn't get much improvement over some cheap green 1 or 2 night vision
Precisely what I thought 😂😂😂
@@joe_moms_lover the IR?
@@mikeykincaid8270 well, if you get a low mpx count large sensor camera and a fast lens…
0:36 “…you stop, you know you have 36 rounds, you take the shot - pull the trigger…” This is the difference between a sharp shooter and a machine gun operator… in a tactical environment.
Trigger discipline with a camera. What a concept.
same thought for me
Its y im more accurate with my single shot 410 that my auto 12ga. Its y life is more precious cuz i know theres no heaven... U have 1 shot
@@fredred8371 There has to be a name for this, where having more of something makes you more prone to fail because you have a crutch. When you have one shot and one shot only, you succeed out of knowing that if you don't you can never try again
@@fureversalty If everyone was immortal, we would be doing careless things and not take our futures seriously. This "permadeath" reality makes us more careful with our lives. Therefore it is only appropriate that we call this the YOLO effect.
"It's a really old machine - from the 90s!"
Feelings of old age, rising...
Someone told me recently, and this will sting if you were a kid in the 1990s: Talking to kids today about the 1990s is like talking to a 90's kid about the 1960's.
as if i wasnt having an quarter life crisis already
Right I had already been married and divorced before that machine was built.
Imagine how old most film cameras must feel when made since the 70's and 80's.
@@idontwanttopickone man, when you put it like that, it stings indeed. Very humbling and quite the wakeup call! Thanks and best wishes :)
I'd really would love to know how Destin gets people to be so open and relaxed around him.
By being open and relaxed around them. Cherry on top: a smile.
It's something a person cannot learn... Ever. It's a gift. His popularity on TH-cam is a testament to that.
it is his faith in God.
His curiosity- he asks genuine questions and is genuinely excited to learn. High empathy, and a high level of understanding, with a willingness to be the one that doesn't know.
He carries peace with him.
Smarter everyday never disappoints, Its just crazy how indulging and emotional Destin is when he makes a video, he just puts his heart and soul into it. Love you Destin❤️
I just bought an old Nikonos V waterproof film camera a couple weeks ago and I've been so excited to sue it but also incredibly anxious as I had no idea what the film process entailed. You've truly answered every question I could've ever thought to ask and I'm even more excited now to see what warm, cozy, nostalgic images I can produce. Thank you so much!
"A... old machine that they've kept running from the 90's."
Why do you gotta do me dirty like that?
To be fair, the way Industry has progressed in the last century, something from the 90's is extremely old in machine years. Some get phased out every couple of years.
Seriously I'm a machine from 1989...
Hilarious, in the 90s I used to run a did and dunk machine from the 40s, not far from Indie
@@davidcampbell1760 What is a did and dunk machine? Is that another way of saying dunk tank?
@@uncleslam9022 It's a machine that lifts the film up and down through tanks, "
dipping and dunking" it. The caveat over a leader card or roller transport processor was that the film never touched any surfaces and it was much safer from scratching. The lab I worked at used a Hostert for C41 and a smaller machine for E6, we reeled b&w and tank processed it.
I love how Destin wants to know every detail, down to the trashcan location lol
Haha. Like a kid.
trashcan location?
oh ya he talks about the positioning of the trash can in the dark room, that's right, yes Destin is awesome
Well its important for this in particular. I used to work at Walgreens all the film reels and film printing papers had to be handled in the dark I had to do alot of practice before I was able to do any of that trash can included lol
He is like a tech thief
"A really old machine that they kept running from the nineties."
Wait a minute... I grew up in the nineties! That makes *me* really old too. 😭
Yea I had to pause the video and take a moment after that as well.
I heard that too!
Yeah but... machines get older faster than humans do. Like, a cup of coffee is considered "really old" after two hours. Feel any better?
@Ken Shackleton I am 50 years old. Hearing people say that something from the 90’s is really old makes me search for a graveyard
I know! I actually used to work on machines like these in my 20s. Thanks for making me feel old. Lol
This is real passion for film development
the ratio of nudes to everything else they have to process is probably a little bit lower than it was in the 90's at least...
probably.
so it means, now a days, nudes were taken using flim rolls ?
Forsooth, I don't think people shooting adult stuff want to wait for them, let alone having strangers see them. I'm surprised Destin didn't ask what they do about photos of illegal stuff (assuming they get any anymore). Ostensibly, there is a clause in the form you fill out when submitting the roll that says you agree that they will contact the police if there's anything illegal. 🤔
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z I bet he did ask questions like those, but this episode had such a lovely feel to it, he probably decided not to include the ‘legal stuff’. Keep it happy. Just my thoughts.
@@user-vn7ce5ig1z Trust me, they still do. And most if not all photo lab techs don't care. They just seen a lot of stuff... havent met a tech that does not take their work seriously. But that might just be me using profesional labs
You use Polaroid or B&W for nudes. Polaroid is instant and B&W you can "easily" develop yourself.
Destin - I really enjoy these "factory tour" videos; from your ULA video to the nut harvesting, they reveal a hidden world that few of us ever get to see. Thanks for all your amazing work.
“Once you get used to the darkness, everything else starts taking over”
It sounds like a batman quote
@@1995TheDude Or a Contrapoints quote
@@1995TheDude Oh, so _that's_ why it's a Batman symbol.
I think the different feeling of film also has to do with the fact that there is no aliasing effect that you have in CCD/CMOS image sensors due to the regular alignment in an array. A digital image is discretized, an analog image is continuous. Also, chromatic aberration is probably less of an issue in film. I think these effects combined make a subtle difference to all edges and fine detail.
i have heard that CCD sensors are actually sending analog signals, which are later converted into digital
Yh all sensors produce an analog signal which is converted to digital. By taking a reading of the signal at regular intervals storing those numbers digitally.
Analog can mean a lot of different things - the signals out of a pixel on a sensor are analog. But you still have discretization in spacing. Tbqh you also have this on film - the grains in the emulsion. They’re more irregular, though, which can look nicer
*total darkness*
"So what do you actually use this for?"
"To be able to see?"
I love how there was no reiterations of what destin was trying to say it was just a sudden "Oh im dumb" moment
His point is that they don't work
@@amosbackstrom5366 Considering they gave him the ability to see, id say they did work.
Same energy as the little blind girl hosting a radio show when the interviewer asked her what she couldn't do to which she replied "see?"
20:59
Then. C a. I'll see if I'll. Be call coo. I'll see contact cc off be see boo can. T. Cc vviooooooo
I never get sick of you nerding out and breaking down a mechinisim of some kind to understand it fully!
@smartereveryday proves to us that the nerds were the cool ones all along.
Thank you, Destin and team
It brought tears to my eyes thinking of the hundreds of hours I used to spend in the darkroom developing and printing photos. I haven't picked up a film camera in years, but you are inspiring me to catch up with the old cameras that used to accompany me on every adventure I went on,
I recently picked up my first 35mm camera (Pentax P30t) and film and I loved using it! getting my first roll sent away this weekend so we'll have to see! I cant tell you how much I enjoyed this video and I can guarantee I'll be shooting a lot more!
Sarah is like: I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.
Pepega
@@Allan_aka_RocKITEman All these memories lost, like tears in rain.
Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion?
I like how Rod keeps answering "Yes sir" and when he asks you a question you say "Yes sir"
When that happened I immediately remembered Destin mentioning in a previous video how he subconsciously picks up and mimics other peoples' speech patterns. After he mentioned that I can't not notice when he does that.
I say yes sir and yes mam to my 5th graders. Respect going both ways changes relationships in a big way.
This is pretty cool, I remember when I was using film cameras and the feeling of getting the pictures developed.. ❤️😌
Hellow 3d printer
.
I remember the cost of film and developing massively hindering the photos I could take.
Whist I relate to your feelings I must say that more often than not I was pissed of with exposure etc. With digital you see what you've got straight away, you don't like it change the aperture etc. and snap away then enhance in Photoshop to get a filmy look if desired.
@@Neil-Aspinall 100% agree.
Im so glad we got someone as smart as you to interview these people, you always ask the questions that other youtubers leave me wondering about
I really can't help but notice, Hanna(h) looks so gorgeous.
Agreed!
It's kind of difficult to focus on the development process whenever she's in the frame :D
simp
Destin, as a child of the 60s with a dad that owned and operated a camera shop. I really appreciate and enjoyed this film camera 📸 video awesome
Amaaazinggg
“Old machine…”, here I am imagining some ancient French contraption from the 19th century, “from the 90s.” Oof, I feel old.
That was me, too. "The nineties? That's not ol ... oh. That was 30 years ago already." xD
In my experience, when it comes to some of these machines being old, "It's not the years, it's the mileage."
@@will9357 - Goes for my aching body too!
Been doing film photography for 4 years now and i'm loving every moment of it. I currently have two SLR's, Olympus OM-1 and Canon AE-1. My favorite films are Kodak Portra 800, Fuji Pro 400h, Fuji Superia 400 and Cinestill 800t. I've also learned how to develop my own films with using the paterson system tank, c41 unicolor chemical mix and epson V600 scanner. I love my hobby.
That Batman sign seems so fitting, as you have to “see” by hearing. Just like a bat.
This video made me get into film photography, which I'm absolutely loving! Thanks so much for this awesome video Destin
Isn't it brilliant and inspiring 🌻
Much like vinyl, the "feel" of film photography comes from *imperfection.* Human eyes do not see perfectly, our brains are hardwired to focus on colors like green (because we evolved to live among green plants) and tan/orange/red (because those are our skin tones) and the chemistry required for film to work properly was designed in such a way that it prioritizes those colors. So when we get film prints or scans back, they look magically "natural" and organic because they're closer to the color toning we relate to in the beauty we see in the world. With vinyl, the "warmth" people ascribe to the sound compared to digital is present because of harmonics, the same harmonics our ears pick up on and our brains subconsciously detect, and it *feels* good. Digital reproduces everything consistently, and over time we get used to that consistency, but when we compare it to analog images or sound, we can instantly tell that the analog versions retain the imperfections our brains are naturally inclined to focus on. This is why film/vinyl enthusiasts often refer to the digital counterparts of recorded audio/video as "sterile" or less interesting, because it doesn't recreate the imperfections that coincide with the biases our brains are naturally inclined to focus on. It's natural, organic, genetic magic :)
Cool video, thanks for sharing.
Exactly! Its also why modern music often sounds kinda lame. The beat of a song is quantized, the pitch is autotuned. Everything is perfect, but feels kinda soulless. If i look at the music i listen to its mostly rock from the 60s through to the early 2000s and thats because in the mid 2000s the tools to do the quantization and autotune became standard. I love the imperfections of old music and the graininess of film photography cause it makes it human/ feels natural.
Awesome
well that's just amazing!!!, thank you for explaining
(seems like there's a good reason I like live performances of more "classical music") :D
I mean i guess you get more photos, but even with 500 good photos, you rarely get more than 20-30 actually usable and worth keeping photos
EDIT: same, but to a lesser extent holds to shooting film
This might also be the reason why so many people like "Lo-fi" music. It has imperfections.
14:20. It is not a chemistry game. Chemistry stays exactly the same, whenever possible on a Refrema processor. The flags on the rack dictate the TIME the film remains IN the chemistry. More time/less time equals a push/pull decision by the photographer -- effectivly exposure compensation. If you detiermine the lab is consistent, request "NORMAL processing" and no PUSH or PULL. Only push or pull if you think you under or over exposed the film. How do you determine this decision? Request a clip test. They literally cut the tail end of your roll off, process it, and let you see it. Then you decide how to process the rest. Unbelievable in the digital age. Props to you if this matters. -MP
Chemicals do not staying the same during the day on a negative processor machine it has to be replenished ! I worked for Kodak Holland I know how a photolab looks like.
@@onnowesterman4825 agreed, the replenishment is done to keep the chemistry the same, or at least within the acceptable range.
He waited so long to tell him they have night vision goggles lol
He - What these is used fir
She - to be able to see😂
I lol "what are these used for?"
"we use them to see"
🤣
God this video just hits all the right spots; science, photography, art, emotion. Thanks for convincing me to take the leap and start shooting film, Destin!
I think why we like those photos as much is probably because new cameras make photos that look real, sometimes too real. And with those film photos they still look like photos and keep their magic.
I think film looks more real than digital.
This is...the most fun and coolest work place I ever seen, it's just way more fun than I expected
When I was a teenager, I spent 5 years working in a lab. I'm in my 50's now, had a bunch of jobs since then. The lab work was still the best job I ever had. This really takes me back. Thank you!
U are 50s why using Minecraft creeper profile no offense just asking
Hope you didnt work in a color lab with heated fixer, that will give you lung abrasions
Destin: "So uh, what do you shoot with?"
Rod: "with film?"
Destin: *Sweating *"Yes sir"
LOL 😂
Got my ak right heeere
Just started film photography a few days ago. You’re right, there’s a certain magic about it. I’m already in love with my film camera. I can’t wait to start this journey
"It's dry air too, right?" Between that and the question about what the night vision goggles are used for, Destin is really on fire.
He seemed . . . distracted.
Some dryers use separate methods of drying, such as a ventless dryer. So it was a completely valid question. As for the night vision goggles, they originally said they learn the feel of the room and go based off sound, smell, etc. So when they pulled out the goggles, maybe there was a specific use-case for them that he wanted to know, since they said before they didn’t really go based off their eyesight in the dark room. There was nothing wrong with the questions at all. They were perfectly reasonable and help understanding of the situation. :)
He's got some real interview skills.
@@DropTheMag It's much easier to find a dropped roll of film using vision. Sound & smell play a part, but mostly experience builds a map of the room in your brain so you touch something, recognize what it is and know its position so it is X steps in X direction to go where you want to be.
My mom (she's 89 now) worked in a film processing lab for 30 yrs. She did all this. I remember being a kid going into the lab and smelling all the chemicals. She worked in the "dark room" doing the processing. Later on she did professional color correction..by hand. This was back in the 60's and 70's. I'll show her this video and I'm sure it will bring back memories. All this is a much newer process than what she worked with. Thank you for this...............
This video hits home with me. When I was growing up all through my young life I can recall this dark and somewhat mysterious room in our basement called "The Darkroom" it was filled with all sorts of mechanical things and tubs and sinks and the most unique set smells. It seemed truly magical that one day my Dad was out with us taking photos or home movies and just days or even hours later there they would all be on proof sheets. Mom and Dad and every so often the kiddos would choose the best ones. Off he would go and a few snacks and play time later, Boom, there they were all still holding the magical smells and the warmth on the print dryer still clinging to the prints. Dad had all sorts of different papers that had all sorts of different textures and different glosses from supper shiny to the really flat and some with a deep texture to them. Those papers we were really careful with because of the price. As I grew I started becoming more interested and would join him and got to understand much more of the process. One of my favorite parts was working with the "Inlarger". You could be a part of bringing a photo to life. I learned how to time the image and how to correct for some mistakes by shadowing with all sorts of tools and even how to hold the negative at angles to change the focal plane of the print to enhance and certain qualities of the photo. Then off to watch the development of the photo itself. Watch the image start to form almost out of no where. It was wonderful to watch. Dad had 14 cameras and a huge selection of lens options to go with them. He would take time to explain what each did and oversee as I grew to have some experience. I can still remember the summer I ask if I could take a camera and use it for a project. He ask about the project and why I wanted a certain camera to accomplish a look I was after. After what seemed like a two hour discussion, he said sure son use what you like. It wasn't until much later in life did I understand the smile on his face. I guess after countless hours of training and working with different cameras and tools in printing we ended up at the one point it time when he knew I understood, not only the value of the camera in my hand, but also the techniques I had in mind to provided a certain result. I guess it was a point of passage for he and I. He was proud to see one of his sons first real accomplishments. I come from a family of 6 kids. My father was a Architect. He had a Doctorate in Architecture and Masteres in Mechanical engineering. He was a pretty smart fella. I still have that old enlarger and a few of the more collectible cameras he had in his collection.
So Thank You! Watching your video brought back so many memories for me.
What a wholesome story!
I just bought a Canon AE-1 with 3 lens and all it's accessories for $1 at a thrift store yesterday and this video pops up in my feed. I'm so excited to start taking pictures!
I love seeing a company and employees who truly love and understand what they do
-You've got night vision? shut up!
"yeah, they're from toys R us"
i laughed out so loud
"You've got 36 rounds and you pull the trigger"-- someone grew up around firearms
Considering how you "shoot" a picture, cameras have a lot in common with guns.
I mean I am 33 and when I put my SLR in auto and it goes off like a .50 from WWII....yeah its still a firearm sound to me lol
This is the guy who's son got his drone stuck high in a tree so they took out a .22 rifle and shot the drone out of the tree. Great shot too, one shot one drone!
@@A2000MHz forgot about that haha
Some film cameras are built like solid tanks with their film winding advance lever feeling like a charging handle and their shutter sound going off like a weapon.
I used to work for a professional photo lab-this is really taking me back!! Except, the film processor we had was much bigger and dragged the film along an unbroken track that went up and down into the various chemical baths.
Hey Destin, i hope you continue things like these, topics that actually intrigue you. Please never fall for the TH-cam algorithm. I love how you really enjoy doing these projects.
AGREED. It's clear to see how much your passion for all sorts of knowledge inspires and effects others. It's contagious.
In my years of photography, i’ve never had anyone explain film as well as you did! Keep up the great work man!
developing film and enlargements is so fun and the smell of those chemicals is so nostalgic for me. my photography teacher in high school used to say the light "tickled" the silver
Loved this! I usually develop with my university, which uses the more traditional tanks, but my secondary lab for when the university is closed uses dip and dunk. Great to see how that works because there’s less information. I do the scans myself - the university also has a lab for that - and it is truly incredible. I never cared much about hobbyist photography until I got into film.
He seriously got me with that magic trick
French drop
So, what you're saying is, when someone takes a great picture and exclaims "this is gold!" I should tell them the cold hard truth that it's actually just silver? :-)
\o/
For Science!
O.o
As an avid film photographer, this was completely wonderful. I don't use labs often (I enjoy self-developing!), but Indie is always great when I use them! I hope more people will continue to pick up this wonderful medium for the first time or pick it up again. Thank you for this!
film never went away in the professional medium/large format photography because of how clear and sharp the images are at scale. most digital sensors cant touch medium format film, and none can get anywhere close to large format sheets. the only space digital has really completely taken over is in the professional and consumer 35mm space.
"Why is [the sign] a Batman symbol?"
"Why WOULDN'T it be?"
Yeah, DESTIN, why wouldn't it be? :)
Apparently his BROTHER is a fan of Batman :/
I mean it's the only correct response to such a question!
I agree. Why wouldn't it be a Batman symbol. I thought the same thing before the guy even said it. I also came to the comments to say this same thing before I saw your comment.