This week’s Member Moment features work by Film Club member Max Moon, who takes candid, documentary-style photos. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
MM: It was a waterproof point-and-shoot I bought from a wholesale store as a kid. I must've been 8 or so, and the idea of having a camera that could go underwater was way too cool to pass up. I only used it in the water twice, but the enjoyment of taking pictures stuck, and I later bought a mirrorless camera in 2019. The mix of creativity and technical skill it takes to create a great image really appealed to me, and it still does to this day. Eventually, I was drawn to film because of the photos I saw from other photographers of the past; they had a distinct "feel" that I couldn't quite achieve with digital.
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?
MM: I like to document candid photos that document "humanity" in some way. Whether it be protests, celebrations, or interesting interactions on the street, I find myself drawn to scenes that distill some aspect of human nature into a photo. When I'm not looking for people and scenes, though, lots of my images boil down to scenes that I simply find beautiful: landscapes, nice lighting, vibrant colors, and anything else that might catch my eye.
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
MN: This photo depicts a kid walking through a 4th of July fair with an American flag draped around his shoulders. Everything about the scene feels timelessly "American" to me. The image was part luck, though; I never would have gotten the photo had my mom not pointed out the kid in the busy crowd that night. At 1/15th of a second, I was also surprised to see that the image was any bit sharp. I later submitted the photo to Drexel's national high school photography competition and received one of three honorable mentions in addition to the top three finalists (thanks mom!) While it's not my favorite, this image was from the first roll I ever shot on a rangefinder, and it showed me that I could find success with film despite it being an older medium.
PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?
MM: I love film because of its constraints. Especially with a fully manual camera, you have to work around a set iso, gauging exposure, and manually focusing in often tight situations. I've also battled plenty of light leaks, which are extremely disappointing to see after shooting an entire roll. However, working through these constraints has made me a more knowledgeable photographer, and as a result, I feel more connected to the process of making images. Seeing a roll come back just as you imagined it is one of the best feelings ever.
PL: How would you like to grow this collection of photographs?
MM: I already have lots of photos with recurring subjects, namely pigeons, flags, and protesters (an odd mix, I know), so eventually expanding those collections over time to make a cohesive body of work is something I look forward to. At the same time, going to college will undoubtedly affect the way I shoot as my environment changes and I learn more about photography. I think that everyone has a unique circumstance that gives them access to something others can't see, whether it be certain people or relationships, crises, or natural environments. During this time of change in my life, I hope to document new places and people through the same lens through which I have captured my work thus far in and out of Philly.
Every day, Club Members take exceptional pictures. If you are not a Film Club Member yet what are you waiting for? Join today to support the photo community in Philly and to start saving money on film processing!