5 Frames… With Kodak ULTRAMAX 400 (EI 400 / 35mm format / Minolta X-700)

All these frames were shot at the white sands national monument while on a road trip in the States (my family are all American – this road trip happens bi-annually). We were driving the length of Route 66, and I think we happened to drive past this, did a little google and my sister was like “we should check this out!”.

We spent a few hours running around in that barren landscape stopping at various points on the trial. Most of the frames are of my sister running about with her camera (all my siblings also love film photography), I loved the contrast of her silhouette against the white, stark background.

I bring my Minolta x700 with me almost everywhere, so this was no exception. I almost always shoot on Kodak ISO 400 film (but typically for me almost anything goes! Getting the image is so much more important for me)… So this is a common film/camera combination for me.

When I shoot, I rarely think about the outcome and how the film is going to turn out, I just shoot when I’m inspired and when that roll comes back, it’s so much better than Christmas. I would shoot my film in the same way again, as I said previously it’s one of my favourite combinations. If I had the chance to shoot this again, I would probably shoot it using colour slide using maybe my Rolleiflex. I love the square format and how much more creatively you have to frame it.

~ Joelle

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