Mac Sokulski | MiKS Media Photography

Lonely Alberta Prairies

by Mac Sokulski | Jun 9, 2017 | Landscape, Nature

Another film adventure.

Since I decided shooting with film only, for a year, I’ve noticed that I put a lot more thought to the images. Specifically when shooting 6×6 cameras. The compositions are a little different than the typical camera format. Plus having a medium format, lets me play a lot more with depth of field. On this adventure, I was also testing my new acquisition the Kiev 6C with a 90mm f2.8 lens. I was hoping that the common problem of frame spacing would not be there, but alas, after developing the film, some images where overlapping. Which is very annoying. Specially when you don’t know which images will overlap and by how much. Oh well, old Russians will have issues.

The Minolta Autocord performed perfectly. I really love that old camera. It’s light, easy to use and the lens is nice and sharp. It’s really a great camera, and if you have a chance to pick one up, do it. You won’t be disappointed.

The weather was perfect for b&w film, and since it was a full family outing, I had to take some family shots. I’m really happy with how the images turned out. I really love the mood, and feel of them. One thing I’ve noticed that they don’t translate well to small smartphone screen. They need to be viewed large. I bet they will print well too. Might have to do a film book after this year…. hmmm.

Well the Kiev was just shipped for repairs, and hopefully when it comes back it will be like new! Can’t wait for more adventures.

Looking for spring with Kodak Ektar

by Mac Sokulski | Apr 10, 2017 | Film, Landscape

My decision to shoot everything with old film cameras this year, still makes my wife shake her head. I’ve been asked by friends, why do I want to create images strictly on film. The interesting thing is, I don’t know. Is it because I’m tired of perfect images coming out of digital cameras? Or maybe it’s the need to slow down, learn patience and enjoy the whole manual process of creating an image. Or maybe, like Kasia said one day, I’m in my midlife crisis. She could be onto something there…. since I can’t afford a sports car.

What ever the reason may be, I’m really enjoying my self. I’m liking the fact that I have to work with the camera to create a decent image. I enjoy testing different film stock, and learning the process of working with each. Seeing the results, and accepting the fact the old lenses on the Olympus system are not the best, not the sharpest, and the each film stock has grain, lots and lots of grain. Learning to accept the color variations between film stock, and the fact that it sometimes takes me more than a week to finish off the roll of film, even though I know there are some killer images hidden inside.

These images were taken about a week ago, when we were chasing early spring storms. I was testing a roll of Kodak Ektar 100. After getting the images from the developer, I fell in love with Ektar. The rendition of color is absolutely stunning. Just have a look yourself.

Alberta Country on Celuloid

by Mac Sokulski | Mar 17, 2017 | Film, Landscape

Starting my year project of shooting only film is slowly taking shape. I’m starting to collect different film stock, to see how each behaves, and finally settle on one that I like the most. So far I used Fuji Superia 400, Agfa Vista 400 and little bit of Kodak Potra, Ektar, and Gold. Right now I’m shooting with Fuji and Agfa, just because they are easiest to obtain. One thing I can tell that these have a very similar look, and work very similarly. They both like to be a little over exposed to produce good effects. If they are a little underexposed they have a tendency of showing big fat grain, that makes the images almost unusable.

Buying film in Canada can be an adventure in frustration. Amazon has some, but usually from 3rd party sellers with absolutely outrageous prices. Almost no one locally carries any color film stock. Getting it from US, is dealing with unfavourable exchange rate, and insane shipping prices. This is for 135mm film, don’t let me start on the 120mm film, and large format is even crazier.

On this little trip into Alberta countryside, I had my Agfa Vista 400. This is the time I figured out that this film doesn’t like to be under exposed, but that was after the roll was finished and developed. Good this I remembered to take notes during shooting. Talk about slow down. Strangely I quite like it. It makes me focus more on the objects I’m photographing, and then writing down all the settings for said picture, teaches patience. I have become what I’ve been making fun for years on the Shutter Time podcast… a masochist.

Now the next step in the evolution is to learn to develop color film at home…

Abraham Lake with Fuji and Film

by Mac Sokulski | Feb 20, 2017 | Fuji Landscapes, Landscape, Nature

After a few times of waking up at 3 am, to be able to arrive at the famous Abraham Lake for sunrise, we got smart. We decided to find a hotel as close to the lake as possible and stay overnight. That’s what we did. The plus of this was that we were able to go to Abraham lake at night. Now that was an experience of it’s own. The sky was clear, no moon at all, and the amount of stars visible, was just staggering. Time for tripods, wide angle lenses and flash lights… oh right we forgot those. I have never been in a situation where the darkness was so complete. Taking a step or two away from the tripod, created a danger of walking right back into it, and toppling it over. Adding to the darkness were ominous sounds coming from the lake. Creaks, groans, gurgles where enough to get the imagination going wild. We did not stay very long. Managing 2 – 3 images each.

The next morning we joined the droves of photographers at the lake. This lake, because of unique methane bubble frozen in ice, is almost a pilgrimage for any landscape photographer. This is the reason why I wanted a little different look. Create at least a few photographs that were a little different. Still you cannot escape the beauty of frozen bubbles in clear ice, and a spectacular sunrise over the mountains. Choosing the images for this blog wasn’t easy either. They might look similar, but everyone is different. I know it flies in the face of convention, where seasoned landscape photographer, advice on posting 1 or 2 of the best. Problem is, both Kasia and me, really love all of them. We both have different way of shooting, and different editing style. This reflects in the images.

Enjoy!

Winter adventures on film

by Mac Sokulski | Jan 25, 2017 | Art, Landscape, Nature

End of December last year, I had a few days to myself, to think about what I want to do with my photography. Watching videos of Thomas Heaton and his adventures really inspires me, to focus more and really take care what is in the frame of the camera. To look at the world in a different way, and find the beauty everywhere, even in simple compositions that don’t involve glorious sunrise or sunset skies. This is the reason that on this little short sunrise trip I only took a 35mm film camera, and a roll of film. Kasia is happy with her Fuji digital cameras, and she can always find something interesting. She has a keen eye to see the big vistas, and the little intimate details. I still struggle with that. So I forced myself to look around more carefully on this trip, and loaded with 18 (because I already shot a few during Christmas celebrations) frames and armed only with 2 lenses (35 and 50) I began my adventure.

We have been to this old abandoned house, a few times. Yet there is always something new to photograph. With fresh snow, there were a lot of animal tracks all around. Kasia and me separated, so we’re not in each others way, and end up with very similar images. Surprisingly I did manage to finish off the roll of film. I’m actually quite happy with the results, even though the images are very grainy for ASA400 film. I hope I can translate the experiences of shooting old film camera to the new digital, and take images with more care and purpose.