Film At 11...Or Maybe Next Week

I've been using my film camera a lot more, lately. I love film, for many reasons, not the least being that that's what I grew up using. Granted, it wasn't always with a 35 mm SLR camera. There were a couple of Instamatics, possibly a Brownie (wow, am I dating myself!), a disposable camera or two...

Finally, though, I had access to a decent camera: my other half bought a Minolta 35mm SLR. Once he figured out how to use it, then showed me how to change film, focus, and all that fun stuff, it was frequently a toss-up as to who got to take what, photo-wise. Some things were his to photograph, as I had no interest in them; but then, I'm sure he wondered about some of my interests, photograpically and otherwise.

Fast forward to recently: I now own several cameras, all Canons. I have nothing against other brands; it's just easier to stick with one brand, so that when one buys accessories - lenses, for example - there's a better chance of it fitting multiple camers of the same brand. But that's beside the point. I have a 35mm SLR and a DSLR, both Canons. I like the film camera for sentimental reasons, while I like the digital for the fact that I don't have to develop film...just shoot, plug it into the computer, and then photoshop away.

A little over a week ago, my friend Boo invited me to come along to take some photos of St. Petersburg's monthly art walk. I only had access to my film camera, so I brought that along. Would have preferred to bring the digital camera, but there are times when we have to work with what we have. In retrospect, the digital camera would have been sooo much better...For starters, I only had a few rolls of film, so I had to pick and choose what to photograph. Also, while a few of the photos came out fairly well, the darker it got, the grainier the photos turned out. Then, there was the whole developing problem of...developing.

Several years ago, during my final year as an undergrad, I took photojournalim I and II at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg. At the time, I only had a film SLR, so I worked with that. Never had any problem getting film developed, then put on a CD. Made it a lot cheaper than printing all the photos on every roll, especially since I wouldn't need all those photos. There was one particular drug store (part of a chain) that I almost always dealt with. However, if there was a problem with that one, every other drug store (including the main competing chain) could develope the film. Obviously, getting the film developed this past week wouldn't be a problem, right?

Wrong!

I called the drug store and spoke with someone who hemmed and hawwwed before admitting that, yes, he could develope the film and put it on a CD. Yes, I could have it that same afternoon. However, it couldn't be done in the one-hour I had come to expect. This was because no one works with film anymore, I was told, so the machine used to develope the stuff was off; it would take a couple of hours to warm up. The place, however, still sells film; but they like sending it out to be developed...Sort-of like a tire store selling tires for your car, but telling you to then take the tires elsewhere to have them put on your car.

So, I called around. My daughter mentioned a box store (which I won't name) that develops film, or, at least, used to. By the time they finally got someone in the photo area, I was informed that they could send the film out for developing and have it back in only seven to ten business days.

"But I thought you did one-hour developing!" I said. That's how they were listed in the phone book.

"We are, as long as it's digital. We no longer do film here." Of course, when asked, they do sell film, if I wanted to buy some...

So I called a drug store near my house and explained what I needed. "Okay," the guy answered. "Not a problem."

"So you can develope it there?"

"Of course."

"You don't have to send it out?"

No, I was told. He could develop it there, print up the photos or put the pics on a CD, all within an hour, and relatively inexpensively.

"Great," I said. "I'll be there in maybe half an hour."

"Okay." Then, half a second later, "Wait a minute." He put the phone down, then came back. I could hear him mumbling under his breath before picking up the phone. "Um, you're not going to believe this, but they took the machine."

Excuse me?

"Yeah, apparently they took the machine out. My boss said we're not developing any more film."

I checked the Yellow Pages, and found several places (non-drug store places) that developed film. The one I've dealt with is a long drive, so that was out, this time. Another place, one that a friend recommended, is open Monday through Thursday; this was Friday, and I needed the film that day! The third place listed was relatively nearby and was open.

"Sure, we develop film. Bring it on it and we'll give you a great price."

My daughter, M.H., picked me up and we headed to this third place. By the time we got there, it was about 12:30. The one person working the front desk kept getting called away to answer the phone. In the meantime, M.H. and I looked around the waiting area. It looked like this place dealt mostly with wedding and celebration-type photographers, most of whom had mega-rich clients.

Finally, the woman working the front was able to help us. "Sure, we develop film," she told us. "We'll get right on it, Monday morning."

"Monday morning?" I gasped.

"Well, we only develop film in the morning. Once we hit noon, that's it. So, yes, Monday morning. Now, our prices..." These included a little more for developing than other places, $5 for the CD, and almost 40 cents per photo to scan them into the computer to put onto the CD. For a roll of 24 photos, we're talking $8 for developing and CD, then $9.60 to put the photos onto the disk, for a total of just under $18 per roll. (Oops, don't forget tax...now we're talking $20!)

M.H. and I left.

At this point, we decided to go to the first drug store. I'd already told the guy at the photo section to "start that machine" (the one for film developing...the one that would take several hours to warm up.) Let's just say the guy had sounded as enthusiastic as if I'd offered to pull all his teeth using a pair of rusty pliers and a bent scalpel.

"Ooookay," he enthused...

Several hours, when M.H. and I came back, he was still slowly working on the order, while taking care of other customers. When his manager arrived - just as he was ringing up my order, he kept telling her, "This is the nice lady with the film." Over the next two minutes, I was the nice lady, the patient lady, the wonderful person...If it had gone on much longer, I would have headed back to the pharmacy to see if they had anything to help me keep from throwing up...

Let's put it this way: From here on out, I'll probably work as much in digital as possible, and when I need to develop film, it's going to Lake Shore Camera Exchange in Palm Harbor. At least I know they can handle the job, and do a great job with it!

Art Walk

A week or two ago, my friend Boo emailed me, then alerted me on Facebook that I had an email waiting for me. Boo is an artist, a liberal, and a bit of a rabble-rouser. I like those traits in a person.

But back to the email: St. Petersburg has a monthly art walk in its Grand Central District. Boo and several others were planning to film several artists showing off their work in a free-form short film, and she asked if I wanted to come along. I said sure, then began wondering what the heck I was thinking. I do that a lot: I'll commit to something, then spend time wondering why I agreed to it; in the end, I'm usually glad I came along. But that's beside the point.

Boo showed up Saturday afternoon around 3:00. After bringing my camera and tripod out, we headed off. Boo had several things to drop off before we met up with the group.

It turned out we were a little early. As we waited, I wandered off a little. There was some live music nearby, and I figured I'd check it out. After listening a little and taking some photos, I asked the drummer, one Edward Burrows, the name of the group.

"Rare Phorm Band," I was told, as he handed over one of their business cards.

Quick Note: If you happen to find out that Rare Phorm Band is playing anywhere, and you get a chance, go. Definitely cool, definitely good. I hope they make it big.

Wandering back, Boo was gathering artists for filming, directing as she went along. I managed to take photos, some on her camera, some on mine, until two things happened: Boo's camera ran out of memory, and I ran out of film. Isn't that the way it goes? (Anyone who knows me well knows my one question when it comes to planning: How do you make God laugh? Tell Him your plans.)

But we continued on...We still had access to video, so that was how the rest of it went. Video was what Boo had wanted the most of, so that helped.

We were finished by maybe 7:30-ish, then hung out for an hour, gabbing away, until it was time to leave.

And yes, I'm glad I went along. Boo, if you're reading this, I'll have the pics to you by the end of the week. Edward Burrows and the Rare Phorm Band, please check back here for the photos, as well as at Robin Shwedo Productions. You might see someone you know!