Whether it’s the rush of not knowing how a photo will look until it’s developed, or the grunge effect of its natural finish, these ‘togs opt for film.
April 24, 2024
Happening
Meet the film photographers
MORGAN SETTE
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
I go between my dad’s old Pentax MG and a Pentax point and shoot I found after a party at my old sharehouse. I try a lot of different films and old film cameras that barely work, and buy Portra 400 because that’s what everyone else tells me to buy. I’m clueless when it comes to film.
Where do you get your film processed?
Central Markets (Photoco Camera House) and Hutt Street Photos.
What’s your favourite subject matter?
I usually pull out the film camera when I’m shooting musicians or fashion for a bit of behind the scenes, but otherwise I like bringing it with me on day to day because otherwise I never document anything.
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Shooting any time I remember I have a roll of film to use up.
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Actually my partner inspired me to start taking photos as a sort of diary since we’re both useless at remembering the adventures we have, and now I’ve found that it’s been really helpful to bring it every where I go, which forces me to use it as much as possible. I’ve learnt so much having it with me day to day, taking photos of friends as well as on professional shoots. It’s even better when you “don’t know what you’re doing”.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
They’re all happy accidents. Because I shoot for a living, having a film camera on me reminds me that I can still do things for fun and it really doesn’t matter when things turn out super weird. I tend to be disappointed when they turn out too nice.
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
Leaving undeveloped rolls in a hot car, because I hate money.
What’s your favourite movie?
I have this issue where I can’t watch anything twice.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
I quit coffee on Monday. I can’t stop thinking about it.
What are you reading right now?
Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
My mum doesn’t know what time I was born so I was never able to work out horoscopes.
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Anything outdoors related. Lately, crying up hills in the form of rock-climbing or riding a bike.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
Will I be kicked off this article if I say Panini Brothers?
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
Panini Brothers (don’t go there).
NAT KELLY
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
At the moment I’m loving Portra 800 for how vibrant and punchy it is. But if you told me I could only use one film stock forever, it would be Kodak Gold. I love that film inside out. In terms of cameras, I often find myself reaching for my Konica Autoreflex T for shooting 35mm, and my Yashica Mat EM for square 120. I love squares.
Where do you get your film processed?
A mix! I like visiting labs. Black & White Photographics has been my go-to for the last few years. I also process a lot of my own film at home.
What’s your favourite subject matter?
I love photographing people. There’s just so much room for storytelling. People don’t need to be front and centre – planting them in their surroundings, challenging the idea of what constitutes a portrait is great fun.
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Daytime for me!
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Just start shooting! And have fun with it. Learn the ropes as you shoot, you will make mistakes, you will wonder why your scans come back faded, or scratched, or, heaven forbid, not there at all. And part of the pain and fun is learning the million things that could go wrong so you know what to do differently next time.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
I wish I did, but I can’t think of any off the top of my head, sorry!
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
I once shot a whole roll – or thought I did. Went to open the back and the film take up spool hadn’t advanced the film. There were no photos.
What’s your favourite movie?
An impossible question. But I recently re-watched Hunt For The Wilderpeople, and it was still superb. So maybe that right now.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
A cappuccino if we’re sitting in, a flat white if we’re taking away. My sister says there is no difference but I disagree.
What are you reading right now?
Right now? The ingredients list on the side of this box of Froot Loops.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
Aries. And I’ve no clue, sorry. (I’m not really into star signs).
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Playing and listening to music!
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
There are so many fantastic places to eat around town, it’s hard to choose— but this past year I loved the vibe and food at Dokeo. Though I think they’ve recently rebranded.
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
There is an abundance of horse manure in Rundle Mall thanks to the presence of mounted police officers (I believe it’s free to take, makes great fertiliser).
CARTER BROWN
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
I use a few different cameras in my rotation. My go to point and shoot camera is my Ricoh ELLE. Canon T50 is my favourite SLR. A Yashica D which was handed down from my Grandpa who used to take press photos, now I use it for fashion photography! For these 3 cameras my go to film stocks would Lomography 400/800. My vintage Polaroid cameras, including a Polaroid Big Shot (FP100c film) made famous by Andy Warhol, a Polaroid passport camera used in the 90s which I’ve converted to use modern SX70 film.
Where do you get your film processed?
I usually go to Adelaide Photo Factory and Photoco Camera House in the Central Market.
What’s your favourite subject matter?
The beauty in the mundane, everyday life that we take for granted. Romanticising daily life as if it were a movie and capturing it all on film!
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
I prefer daytime for the natural light, but also bright neon lights in the night-time. It’s hard to choose as I love both!
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Even shooting film from 15, as a 22-year-old I still feel like a beginner. Have fun, enjoy yourself and experiment as much as possible. Start off with a simple point and shoot 35mm camera, find your favourite film stock then go out and capture life. Developing your own style of photography takes time so enjoy the ride.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
My screensaver on my phone, a light leak in my camera made what looked like an abstract sunset. Like Bob Ross said: “There are no mistakes, just happy accidents.”
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
Opening the back of the camera and exposing the film to light when I first started. It was a beginner mistake but we live and we learn!
What’s your favourite movie?
This is a hard one because watching films and immersing myself in the world of cinema is what I love to do. It’s always changing but at the moment my favourite film would be Amélie (2001) directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
I know all baristas will hate me for this but it’s a hot chocolate.
What are you reading right now?
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. 10/10 would recommend to all artists and creatives.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
Not just a Virgo but a double Virgo. That pretty much just means I expect 2x the perfection.
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Watching films, acting, painting and photography.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
La Louisiane, great food and jazz music, what more could you want!
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
A-Town Booth of course! It’s a vintage Photo booth I operate which uses a special photo paper and chemistry to create unique, one of a kind B&W strips of four photos. These Photo booths are fleeting around the world and it’s one of the last ones operating in Australia, right home in Adelaide!
DIMITRA Koriozos
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
I mostly use a Nikon FM2 and a Pentax 67. Whatever stock I have on hand, but usually plenty of Portra 400 and 800.
Where do you get your film processed?
Ikigai Film Lab.
What’s your favourite subject matter?
People, flowers, and liminal spaces.
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Blue hour, just to be annoying.
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Some rolls will be really, REALLY bad. Make peace with this and keep shooting.
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
Shooting an entire roll and not realising it hadn’t caught. Womp womp.
What’s your favourite movie?
Across the Universe for a comfort rewatch.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Almond Latte.
What are you reading right now?
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enriquez. So twisted! So good.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
Cancer, but my astro-obsessed friends tell me I’m a Cancer/Gemini cusp? Intuitive, passionate, obsessed with the moon. Might bite.
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Unhinged stream-of-consciousness journalling.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
I regularly fantasise about squid ink fiori at Oggi.
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
I’m no snitch.
NASH BLIGHT
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
My main work is my canon A1. I’m in a very serious black and white phase at the moment so I find myself loading Kodak Tri-X a lot. Almost always pushed to 800 iso. When I’m looking to shoot colour, I’m often reaching for Cinestill 800t or Porta 400 depending on the subject.
Where do you get your film processed?
Easily the city’s best lab, Adelaide Photo Factory (I should note I do work there).
What’s your favourite subject matter?
Right now, I’m shooting live music, but I do think that is a sort of extension of my love of documentary. I’m willing to photograph anyone or anything if I think there is a story or an insight to be explored there. The music scene in Adelaide is in a truly incredible space at the moment and it’s such an honour getting to document that. However, I do think what I’m really drawn to with my photography is just people in general.
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Night-time. Adelaide is asleep during the day.
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Get used to making mistakes. You are going to miss and there is absolutely no way around it. So be sure to take notes and learn from it.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
I think every photo I’ve ever made has been a ‘fluke’, that’s the whole game.
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
I managed to incorrectly load two rolls in a row. Missed some really lovely photographs of a trip to Melbourne and to the Riverland. But I haven’t done it since, so we live and we learn.
What’s your favourite movie?
All time? Jurassic Park (1993). Right now? Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992).
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Iced Oat Latte (I am soft).
What are you reading right now?
I’m slowly making my way through Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman. I’ve just picked Wires Crossed by Ed Templeton which is a photo book, but has some words so I think it counts.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
I’m a Taurus, and for me it says I was born at the end of April.
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
I’m trying to cook more. I like cooking.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
Golden Boy. That may be a basic answer but c’mon.
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
Oh, it’s got to be [REDACTED].
EMMALINE ZANELLI
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
Portra 800.
Where do you get your film processed?
Black and White Photographics <3
What’s your favourite subject matter?
Objects around the size of a shoe or orange sort of size. Small objects but not tiny objects because I don’t have a macro lens (I want one).
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Daytime!
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
Get an external light meter even if your camera has one inbuilt. It is such a great learning tool for really visualising and accommodating for light values.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
Finding a camera roadside with a roll of film in it and then developing it – the images were all of a beautiful woman playfully running around a house, kind of as though the photographer was her partner I think. They’re black and white, sort of blurry and abstract, but tell a short story I like. There was also a picture in the camera bag of a young man sitting on the ground in what kind of looks like a military uniform staring blankly to the floor. I often wonder who these people were.
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
Would probably be ‘shooting’ several rolls of super 8 of a gymnast friend in full costume and makeup doing strenuous tumbling down a hillside into a large drain, only to realise the film uptake was broken and I hadn’t shot anything! Idiot 🙁
What’s your favourite movie?
Beasts of the Southern Wild.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Just a long black.
What are you reading right now?
Slowly making my way through Young Rupert! And also dipping in and out of Midnight’s Children! My phone has absolutely decimated my attention span but I try my best.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
Gemini – I’m two-faced!
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Embroidery and sewing.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
Pure Vegetarian in the Central Market food court – the vegan fish is so nice and they’re so friendly there. Also Southern Noodle Bar. And Yo-Chi. I got a $50 Yo-Chi voucher for Christmas!
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
Maslin Beach <3
CONNOR GURR
What film stock/camera do you currently have in rotation?
Kodak Tri x 400. Having a lot of fun at the moment shooting running in B&W.
Where do you get your film processed?
Hutt St, just so I get to have a chat with the lovelies in there. Then scan them up myself back at home.
What’s your favourite subject matter?
Definitely people, everyone is just so darn unique. I do also love just shooting my mates. They tend to hate having their photos taken so I think it’s cool to be able to break down those walls and document our youth.
This or that: Shooting at night-time or shooting at daytime?
Daytime, a lot more going on with light. But it’s always fun spraying an on-camera flash too.
Any words of wisdom for a beginner shooting film?
If you’re going for a compact go for a fixed prime lens, some of those zoom lenses are pretty gross.
Got a memorable film fluke/happy accident?
This shot of a close friend on the Eyre Peninsula was a bit of a fluke as the light came out from the clouds and just crept over the cliff at the perfect time. All the more rewarding when it’s on film.
What’s the biggest film mistake you’ve made?
Winding up a finished roll the wrong way. I ended up with these weird lines all through some good memories from a surf trip to Streaky Bay. Bit of a bummer but also got some cool results.
What’s your favourite movie?
It always changes but I love Breath. I reckon that film would make me so homesick if I was overseas for a long time.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
I’m a Soy boy.
What are you reading right now?
Ego is the enemy.
What’s your star sign and what does it say about you?
Gemini, not really too sure tbh.
What’s your favourite pastime that isn’t work related?
Probably being a volleyballer. Had some pretty special moments with friends playing at Brighton and my club Norwood Bears. It was actually a huge landing pad for my photo/video career too.
Favourite restaurant in Adelaide?
La lou. Love the crew there.
What’s Adelaide’s best kept secret?
The fact you can walk to Kangaroo Island.
This article was first published in print issue 42 of CityMag, released in February 2024.
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