A conversation with Colter about his experience with film photography. View all images here.
Introduction to Film Photography
I was introduced to Colter’s film photos when I was searching for the best coffee shop in Mission Hill, Massachusetts.
My caffeine addiction always seems to serve me well.
His photos were on display, along with his contact information, at the Solid Ground Café.
His work is available for purchase, along with great coffee, which I’d highly recommend if you’re ever in the Boston area.
I reached out to him for an interview about his experience with film photography.
Colter Film
Colter took his first photograph when he was 8 years old.
His dad gave him a small digital camera on a trip to Glacier National Park in Montana.
But his grandpa would give him one of his old film cameras in March of 2022
This would ignite his passion for film photography.
Colter gained his knowledge of film photography through other photographers and experimentation. The initiation process to film, some argue, is actually throwing away money due to the inevitable mistakes made to process film. [Don’t actually do this.]
“You have to make a lot of mistakes.
I had a friend who did film photography and I tagged along with her one time. She taught me a lot of the basics.
I also develop at a film lab called Lumenation in Somerville, and a lot of the people there helped me too.
I don’t consider myself an expert at all, but I feel like if I’m learning all the time, then at least I’m on the right track.”
Colter
Passion for Film
Film photos have a unique visual style that is almost impossible to replicate. This is what intrigues many audiences and photographers. However, Colter found his passion in the process of creating film photos. I asked him about that feeling.
“It feels like it’s not really about the photos. What makes it worthwhile to me is enjoying the experience. I love the joy I get out of doing it.
Being able to spend the day wondering around, getting all hot, sweaty and tired from walking around for 3 hours- only to wait a week and a half to even see the photos.
That’s what I love about it.”
Colter
COVID-19
We all have a story to tell about our COVID-19 experience. Yet, I believe we all have reasons to be grateful for some experiences during that time; something valuable that we wouldn’t have otherwise. I asked Colter about his experience.
“I caught Covid last year and I was inside for a week or so. That was a sucky experience.
I had this really tiny room under the stairs of my apartment, literally like a Harry Potter closet- not fun.
So I guess I wanted a way to express myself that would also allow me to go out into the real world. Something to give me an excuse to walk around, explore places and to do things.
Thankfully I sucked at sketching and painting.”
Colter
Photo Compositions
Colter seems to have an eye for great compositions. I asked him what inspires him and what he looks for when he’s taking pictures.
“When it comes to inspiration, I’m not really thinking about a lot, necessarily. I don’t look at a picture I like from another photographer and try to reproduce that.
I go somewhere to look around and really look for compositions that could be interesting. I look for something to capture before it disappears.
Honestly, I don’t even know how much of it is artistic at all.
I’m just trying to observe.
It feels like I’m an empty vessel for the camera, and for sights to pour through onto the film.”
Colter
Colter is drawn to street photography. The pictures you see here are some of my favorite photos from his work in this avenue.
“I love street photography. Just the little scenes that people unknowingly create when they’re just doing their own thing. Whether it’s someone doing something crazy or living their daily life doing simple things, I love that.”
Sonder– Noun. sonder (uncountable) (neologism)/ The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it.
Colter created an Instragram account in May of 2022.
He currently has over 4,750 followers.
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@colter.film on instagram.
Colter’s Cameras: Minolta SRT 202 and a Minolta CLE for his photos.
Lenses: 35mm 55mm 90mm
Lumenation (Film Developing)
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