A Year of Film Photography — Jacqueline Louie

It’s been over a year since I began shooting film, so I’m taking this opportunity to reflect on how much I’ve grown to love taking pictures on film.

First, a note of gratitude to Peter for getting me into film and assuring me that I didn’t need to be “good”, just that I needed to have fun. It turns out that being “good” makes picking up my processed film and scans more fun, but I take equal enjoyment out of shooting the rolls that turn out well as I do the ones that don’t.

Continuing to be creative through film has also been a great way to switch gears after hours of doing readings or writing assignments. There’s a lot of pressure (externally and self-imposed) to do well that comes with being in school alongside peers who are equally keen. Shooting film gives me an outlet to be creative and relieve some of that pressure by taking power away from the perfectionist voice in my head. Film photography does that by forcing me to (a) be at peace with not knowing how the photo will turn out for at least two days, and (b) to appreciate how my photos turn out regardless of what my intentions were (largely because I’ve forgotten what they were by the time I get my scans back).

Below are a few of my favourites from the latest roll—enjoy!

*These were all shot on my Olympus Stylus Zoom and HP5