An Analog Journey
A photo gallery extension of “Finding Light in the Darkroom,” featuring my journey as a film photographer.
Photo Essay by Tony Mueantonthian
How It Started
After leaving my home country of Thailand, film photography became a newfound passion. The journey to improving my craft as a film photographer has been like a roller coaster — unexpected, with many twists and turns, but ultimately worth the ride.
It all started with my trusty Canon 500D which my parents owned beforehand. The camera was never put to good use, and it collected dust over the many years it sat on their bookshelf.
One day, I decided to take the camera off the shelf and started shooting. What began as a hobby unexpectedly turned into something I took more seriously.
Eventually, I became a photography student while studying abroad at Holmesglen Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
When My Life Changed
On October 19, 2016, the institute brought my class to the Fox Darkroom, a photography studio in Melbourne. There was a workshop session where the studio demonstrated how to develop film. With curiosity, I attended the workshop, learning the basics of film photography. After that experience, I felt this medium could be a creative outlet that helps me escape the stress of everyday life. Additionally, I took notes of how film development and film cameras operated and applied that knowledge to my work ethic when I traveled back to Thailand after graduating from the institute.
Fully immersing myself in the process, my first film camera was the Konica SIII. It was a cheap camera that cost around $30, which I purchased from a black market in the Chinatown neighborhood of Bangkok, Thailand. At first, I honestly had no clue how to navigate the camera. Nevertheless, I impulsively bought it because I was somehow drawn to its worn-out, vintage look.
Once I brought the camera back home, I knew I had a long journey ahead to pursue my dreams and strengthen my skills as a new film photographer.
Film Versus Digital
Nowadays, it seems like more people gravitate toward digital photography rather than film. Digital photography has advantages in many ways. For example, you can see the photos you take in real time, whereas you have to wait several days or weeks to see how your film photos develop. Digital photography also enables the photographer to edit photos with more detail in post-processing. Although digital photography offers more benefits over film photography, I often find myself not fully connecting with my subject while peering through the lens of a digital camera. I tend to perceive the camera as a tool, and am not as emotionally invested in the process.
In stark contrast, film photography has offered a refreshing take. To me, it’s more timeless. I have learned to see the value in my photos every time I go out and shoot. The precision and care I implement while photographing is more rewarding. I truly believe that digital photography can’t replicate that.
Taking photos through a film camera inevitably brightens my day. After spending endless hours in a darkroom, I view the world in a more positive light.
The Future
Recently, I have seen how film photography has gained more momentum. Since the moment I picked up my Konica SIII, I have grown as a photographer.
Film has shaped me into the person I am today. Hopefully, my most extraordinary days are still ahead, but one thing is for certain: I know my trusty film camera can capture those moments.
