This week’s Member Moment features work by Ramon Gadea, whose work can be found in our 4th annual Student Show, The Camera Has Its Shyness. His photo, Cresson St, placed 2nd this year. Ramon captures moody photos, often taken in and around Philly. Scroll down to see his pictures and to read the interview!
PL: What got you interested in photography?
RG: My girlfriend listened to me babble about wanting to start something outside of music. I mentioned wanting to try film photography while we were taking a walk through the Wiss and she did the coolest thing by surprising me for Christmas of 2023 with a film camera. It’s been something I have been learning since that moment.
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?
RG: Honestly, taking pictures is less about objects or style for me. It's more of way to engage, truly look at the world, remember, and learn. I look at light and color so differently now after shooting film for over a year and half. I remember how I felt in a moment when I look back my scans, negatives, or prints (I have a bad long term memory and this is helping a lot.) I am still a beginner, so I don't have a clear "direction" or "style", but I think the act of learning is what gets me excited - Whether it's learning DOF, the importance of light, composition, editing scans, developing etc. It truly is a "journey is more important than the result" kind of thing you know? But it is sick getting an awesome shot you are proud of. 
PL: Of the pictures you submitted, can you share an interesting story about one?
RG: The picture of the car under Cresson St is a reflection of a place I photograph a lot. I was running over to take photos at the Bouncing Souls show at "Sing Us Home Fest" in Manayunk. I went against my better judgment in the inclement weather and it started down pouring. I got some cool shots of the band in the rain in the photo pit, but the show stopped because it was flash flooding because Main Street and Cresson quickly flood.
I ran back and I remember seeing this car and grabbed a few shots of it as I ran to my car. I like the photo cause it's just moody and "cinematic" for lack of a better word. I posted it on Roxbourgh Rants and Raves (IYKYK) and everybody said it looks like "Gotham City Manayunk.
PL: What do you enjoy most about digital/film photography and what is challenging about it?
RG: Film is just all challenges all the time! I think with film the most challenging thing after a few years is the slower feedback loop. It takes time due to having to develop, scan, and invert your negatives. You don't know if that image came out the way you wanted (though I am getting better at visualizing and feeling confident in this.) For instance, I am trying to get better with my speedlight, but I have to just go out and try it without seeing in real time what each setting is actually doing. Trying out things is always a gamble and aint cheap either. With that said, developing/scanning at home REALLY helps lower the cost and allows you more freedom to experiment.
I think the highlight of film photography IS the way you look through the viewfinder. You have less shots, no immediate feedback, and you need all your tools to help get a great image. You need to shoot with intent. But also, sometimes you just need to fire off and feel the moment and that's even more rewarding on film.
PL: How would you like to grow this collection of photographs?
RG: I am actually slowly but surely creating a large collection of images of Roxbourgh/Wissahickon/Manayunk (area code 19128.) I am trying to contextualize this really strange slice of Philly I have lived in for 5 plus years (the dichotomy of being lost in the woods one second and almost getting run over by someone on Henry is wild.) I want to make a book or magazine and put it out there.
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!