5 Frames in Ilskile Church with Nikon FM and Kodak Tri-X – by Felix I Flores Rodriguez

The term muscle memory is often used in society, however, do we know what it means? I must confess to being guilty as charged using the phrase mentioned above. The term’s meaning became clear to me the first time I used a 35mm film camera; you may say why? Thanks for asking! Each time I pressed the shutter button, I tried to get feedback on the images on the back of my camera to find out repeatedly that this time I was going to have to wait until the film inside the camera had been developed.

The Republic of Latvia is in the northeastern part of Europe. It shared borders with Lithuania, Estonia, and Russia. The photos in the article were taken using the Nikon FM and the Nikon 35mm f2D together with Kodak Tri-x ISO 400 black and white film. Latvia enjoyed short summers and prolonged cold and gray winters, thus favoring black and white photography.

I started to shoot films to improve my overall photography skills. My favorite film brand is Lomography, however, the Kodak Tri-x is one of the most famous black and white films. Manufactured in 1954, the film has impressive contrast, rich tones, and excellent exposure latitude. Furthermore, the film has not changed its classic and beautiful grain since its beginning. I know that the article is supposed to have five photos, but this place deserved three more exposures – I hope you share my opinion on the matter

The Order of Segeberg monastery of Holstein started to build a church in Iksklie in 1184, and it was the seat of the Bishop of Livonia until the foundation of Riga in 1201. The church was rebuilt from 1879-1881, destroyed in 1916, and damaged during the second world war. Furthermore, the Iksklie church is called the place where Christianity began in Latvia.

Ikšķile is one of the oldest inhabited Latvian regions in the South-West of Vidzeme, by the river Daugava. Ikšķile became the center of the Livonian Bishopric. The name “Ikšķile” originated from the Livonia üks küla, which means “one village.”

From August 15 to September 30, the Riga Hydroelectric Power Station (HES) lowered the water levels, and the church could be reached by foot instead of by boat or ferry. After the Republic of Latvia regained its independence from Russia in 1989, 10 meters (32.8 feet) cross (artists E. Samovics) and a stone altar (sculptor J. Karlovs) were built on the Island. Furthermore, in 2002, a metal roof was added to protect the ruins further. Individuals can get baptized, get married, and receive other sacraments in the first holy place in Latvia on St. Meinard Island.

The weather on this day was not as I had hoped or planned for. The maddening rain and cloudy skies never materialised, and the sun kept coming in and out from the clouds in the sky. Film photography differs from digital, one must meter the black or mid-tones of the image, and light, or lack thereof, plays a vital role in composing images. The 35mm lens provides the perfect angle to include and exclude landscape parts to create the ideal composition. The sun, at the time, offered great light, however, it made it difficult to put together the image inside my head.

Finally, while photographing, my purpose is to bring the audience to the place, location or situation and make them feel like they are there with me in this location. While creating my images, I ensure not to under-appreciate or show a lack of respect for a site that individuals consider a holy place. I felt a keen sense of admiration and peace as a person and photographer on this site hope my images were able to pass these emotions to my audience.

Thanks for reading

You can find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/filmdrollo/

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