Today I’m very happy to have the opportunity to interview the incredibly enthusiastic Sprocket-Shooting-Swede, Jonas Lundström!

Jonas is a bit of a force of nature when it comes to experimenting with and talking about film and I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say. Let’s jump in!

OK Jonas, what’s this picture about?


JL: It’s summer, I’m heading out to the archipelago and I’m feeling like some experimenting. Said and done, I took an old spool and paper from a 127 rollfilm I’d shot previously and loaded it with some 35mm color neg film. Knowing that the camera I would use had a low shutter speed, I proceeded to rolled the film flipped front to back so that I’d expose through the orange base, ie. redscale it.

Since the film was smaller than what the camera was intended for, it wasn’t quite snugly held and managed to billow just slightly. The result is an out of focus effect, which made some of the lines go from straight to wavy.
Seems like a hot day, no?

Ok, so who are you? (the short version, please)

JL: Plant-eater from the snowy north of Sweden. Been investing my free time into shooting film and I’m very much involved the community that goes with it. Be it global forums, or local photo clubs and gatherings of film photographers.
I used to be into drawing and design but since photography came into the picture (haha) I’ve been able to get my kicks out of that.

When did you start shooting film?

JL: I didn’t think of photography more than just being a way of documenting what you see; purely technical. Basically I stumbled on a Holga in a curiosity shop online and was struck by the sample photos taken with it.

I loved the feeling of the shots and got one along with some film back in 2007. However, I quickly realised that medium format was a bit too costly for the income I had back then. So, I looked around for interesting cameras and stumbled upon the Smena 8m. I love the looks of it and Russian cameras didn’t seem like a rarity in the Swedish market.
That thing finally taught me the basics of exposure.

What about now? Why do you shoot film? What drives you to keep shooting?

JL:  Did I say I get a kick out of it? Yeah, I was tired of sitting in front of a computer all the time so it gets me out to see things and since being in a darkroom for the first time, I’ve fallen in love with the whole process.

The possibilities seem endless; varying film stocks, cameras and all that makes certain that there’s always something new to shake things up. Also, being part of such a great community…I’ve made many friends these past few years.

Any favourite subject matter?

JL: Basically interesting stuff or just shapes I see when I walk around. Mostly I just follow my gut and look for things that I’d like to see how they would look on film.

You can never use film again. What’s your last roll?

What?? That’s harsh… I’d really like to try color infrared film. Glorious medium format would be nice ~

You have 2 minutes to prepare for an assignment. One camera, one lens, two films and no idea of the subject matter. What do you take with you and why?

JL: A Bronica C with Nikkor 50/3.5. With that, I’d have a good sized negative and not be dependent on batteries. The Nikkor is a good wide angle lens that also lets me get close if I needed to.

Besides the Holga, the Bronica is my favorite camera and very much a confidence-inducing piece of equipment.
Oh, two rolls of film? Ok, give me one roll of freezer stored Kodak Portra 160NC and another of Portra 400VC. Make them 220, thanks!

You have an unlimited supply of film to shoot in one location. Where do you go?

JL: Back to Tokyo, please! I feel that I only got a glimpse of the city when I was there. The photo opportunities are endless.

What do you think is people’s greatest misconception about film photography and how would you set it straight?

JL: Hmm… that it’s hard? Give them a fresh roll, good camera and the address to a good lab that can give them proper copies and scans.

Most often non-film shooters just don’t know how fun it can be. Especially with all the quick fixes available from Instagram-ing and all that.

In your opinion, what’s the future of film photography?

JL: It’s getting better recently.

Less of the old stock is on the market these days but with smaller companies like Ferrania and ADOX I think the market will never be so small that no manufacturers are left.

~ Jonas


There we have it, thanks Jonas. I’ve had the opportunity to converse with this incredibly jovial man quite a bit over the past few weeks and he really is a joy to speak with. Enthusiastic, passionate and just the kind of person the film photography needs to keep fighting the good fight!

If your Swedish is good enough (mine isn’t but I can say “Victor Hasselblad” convincingly), then please please please head over to Jonas’ analog photography podcast.

You can also find more from Jonas right here on Flickr, or if you’re feeling super sociable, you can join the largest film photography group for Swedes and other Scandinavians on Facebook at:

Analoga fotografer! – https://www.facebook.com/groups/131343050224504

Thanks again Jonas! Keep shooting and good luck with getting back to Japan. Be sure to share your shots with us when you do!

~ EM

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5 responses to “EMULSIVE interview #5: I am Jonas Lundström and this is why I shoot film”

  1. I love yo your serendipity way of film photography! (exploring and creating as you wish). I never comment on cameras! Yet I must! That Bronica-C now old must have been rebuilt. Mine had frenzy and berserk attacks on my films. Ripped film to pieces as if it was CIA leaving Sai-Gon.
    It never worked. It was new! I swapped for a new Leica-M3 and 50mm Summicron for same price! It was very expensive, including lost jobs and films. So you are Lucky! Some nice images. Use coffee filters to stop hairs and dust in solutions and printing! Tak Tak.

  2. “: Looking back: I am @Jonasx70 and this is why I shoot film – https://t.co/2toYA7v4rL #EMULSIVE https://t.co/HX3BXt7r3U” Lush

  3. Nice work Jonas.. a nice read too 🙂

  4. recently, I’ve also become the admin of a Swedish film photography forum 😀
    http://www.filmfotoforum.se

 

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