The Whole Roll – Kodak Portra 160 – Summer, New Orleans City Park.

I know, I know—color film.

Something about the way the Portra family renders those dreamy pastels calls to me—some background before we start. I am 30-something years old now, my photography journey started early, at 8 years old I was gifted a Kodak 110 camera. I think I only shot 2 rolls through that camera, and it was quickly forgotten. I had them developed and had a good laugh at a lot of middle fingers from my cousins. (I need to dig through my parent’s garage and take another look at those negatives.)

I don’t recall how I was inspired to come back to photography in my late teens. At some point, I ran down to Best Buy and bought myself a digital zoom point-and-shoot Nikon. Over the years photography grabbed ahold of me, like a lot of you have experienced. Many more trips to Best Buy, Nikon D3200 (gifted to my sister after buying the D750, I think she still has it.), Nikon D750, Nikon Zfc, and now my poor neglected Nikon Z5. Early 2023, the fascination with film began. Watching a few YouTube videos from grainydays, Kingjvapes, and Bad Flashes I decided it was time to step away from the somewhat unlimited storage the digital format provides. The thought of having to slow down, and dealing with 12, 24, or 36 frames was something exciting for me. Now, I’m not a very patient person, the idea of having to wait to see my results was something foreign.

I embarked on my first film camera quest, as a kid I drooled over my parent’s Minolta SLR. I figure Minolta is a good start, I found myself a JDM Minolta X-700 on eBay in mint condition, 50mm 1.7, and a 28mm to boot. Enough about the small stuff, I decide to leap into medium format, Minolta seems like a good start again, so I opt for an early Autocord. I find myself back on eBay, sub $200 I find a decent example, described as fully functional and full of character. That’s the one for me, this is only my 3rd roll through the camera now, and have shot another 2 as I’m writing this article.

Enough back story, I rise out of bed early Saturday morning expecting a day of my 2 favorite hobbies, photography and craft beer. It’s August in New Orleans, summer is in full swing. Expecting my good friend Justin to make the trip down for Brieux Carre’s lager fest I grab the camera bag. Nikon F4, and the Minolta Autocord in tow, I figured I’d kill some time and head down to New Orleans City Park. It had been a few years since I visited the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Sculpture Garden so that’s my start of the day. I make my way to the front of the museum and snap a couple of shots of the front and the fountain before making my way to Big Lake.

Finally making my way into the Sculpture Garden. I thought this sculpture was the perfect fit for the square format.

I appreciate you for taking the time to read my first submission to 35mmc and look forward to sharing it with you again. In the meantime, you can find me on Instagram or my Flick.

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