Muriel Movida is a Film Club member who shared with us a collection of photos they took at Coachella last month. Scroll down to see their photos and read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in film photography?
MM: I've always been interested in photography growing up. When I was a kid, I was always playing with my parents' Canon Rebel 2000, taking photos of family members and flowers that caught my eye. As I got older, I appreciated film a lot more, especially in such a digital age. I tend to be a very impatient person so what I love about film is that it forces me to slow down and wait to see the outcome. I've learned to find peace in the mystery of not knowing what my photos will look like until I get my roll developed.
PL: What type of camera do you shoot with and what kind of film do you usually use?
MM: I shoot on a Minolta X-370 and my go to film is Fujicolor Superia X-TRA.
PL: When taking pictures, what are some objects or elements or feelings within a scene that inspire you to take a photo?
MM: I love photographing candid moments where people are at their happiest. When I was at Coachella, surrounded by strangers all there to enjoy music, I saw and felt so much unfiltered joy that inspired me to capture those fleeting moments. I'm inspired by beautiful moments in life that remind me that beauty and joy is everywhere, even when days feel mundane, as long as you know where to look for it.
PL: Out of all of these photos, which one is your favorite and why?
MM: I think my favorite photo is from Coachella Day 0/Thursday where all the campers went up the hill to watch the first sunset of the weekend. The mountains in the back made for the perfect sunset view and the lighting was just about golden hour. The excitement of the upcoming weekend was palpable and truly connected everyone. Everyone was cheering, dancing to music, taking photos, and appreciating the moment. This photo reminds me that the human experience is truly so beautiful and we all have more in common than we think.
PL: What are some qualities that you like about black and white or color film?
MM: I love the way color film makes moments look so dreamy. I would say I prefer more colorful, saturated, and a little grainy look to photos I take. So I love the way color films enhance the colors we see everyday. I feel like color film also gives photographs a more timeless look.
PL: What do you enjoy most about film photography and what is challenging about it?
MM: I think my favorite part about shooting film is the patience its taught me. I'm so used to instant gratification when it comes to taking photos on my iPhone and I feel like in this modernized age, everyone expects things at such a quick turnaround. However, shooting film has made me embrace the process and waiting for the end result whenever I get a roll developed. I also feel like its always so rewarding and worth the wait because my photos come out so much better than I would expect. I also love the style of film photography; it is truly so timeless and will never go out of style.
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