This week’s Member Moment features work by Claire Sibley, who documents Philadelphia through photos and also writes about her experiences within the city on her blog. Scroll down to see her pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
CS: My love for photography began in middle school with my first digital camera—a hot pink Canon that I took everywhere. Moving frequently throughout my childhood made me deeply aware of how fleeting friendships and places could be, so photography became a way to hold onto those people and countries when I never knew how long they'd be part of my life. It was a way to validate my experiences and create tangible proof that these meaningful moments actually happened.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with?
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
CS: I love to find framing within a photo, like using leaves or building angles to frame a subject. I think I’m also inspired by nostalgia—scenes that I know I’ll look back on fondly in the future (like my cat sunbathing on the windowsill.)
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
CS: The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is a symbol of home for me and I’ve taken more pictures than I can count on numerous walks and runs, but this was my first time up there with a film camera. I wasn’t sure how the photos would turn out, especially with the harsh sunset, but I love the deep silhouettes of the city and the reflections of the sun on the skyscrapers and railing. It was a full circle moment for me to get film photos of the bridge—literally bridging the college version of myself who started Philly Immersion in 2018 and who I am today.
PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?
CS: I’ve always loved digital photography but film photography has required me to get out of my head and into the present moment. I love that I have a limited amount of exposures because each roll feels like a time stamp of my life. When I take a photo on my iPhone, it slips into the ether of thousands of photos that I only really appreciate when I’m on the plane with no wifi, but when I get my scans back of just 36 photos, they receive more attention and appreciation. I also feel like film photos look how memories feel in my mind’s eye—often warm, soft, and candid. It’s been challenging to learn about exposure and experimenting with the settings with no real-time feedback but I think it’s making me a better photographer and makes the day I get my scans back even more exciting.
PL: How would you like to grow this collection of photographs?
CS: I’ve only just started with film photography and I’m excited to watch this collection expand. I’d love to experiment with black and white film, portraits, and explore what belonging, especially in Philadelphia, looks like photographed.
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