Corners

Corners!

This is a photograph that has been shot with a Yashica Electro 35 GTN with Ilford HP5 400 film, in Rethymno, Crete, Greece.

I made this shot during the time I was obsessed with film, about 1 year and a couple of months ago. As I have mentioned many times in the past, film relaxes me. It slows me down and makes me focus more on the photograph I want to make. I have talked about this with other Street Photographers and most of them feel the same way.

I suppose it is the idea of not having unlimited frames at my disposal that makes me think of each shot before I click the shutter release and also the cost of the roll and developing. Even black and white films that I develop myself cost money. I remember when I first started developing I had to buy a kit that included all sorts of stuff. Buckets, scissors, film pegs, chemicals and more. Then there is the time-consuming process it takes to develop a roll. So extra attention has to be put into the actual shooting of each frame, just because of this. But everything I mentioned is already known to you. Film is film, it is what it is and we love it for slowing us down, giving us that unique filmic look and for the experience if offers us.

I remember making this photograph. I remember the thought process I went through. I can tell you why it is composed as it is. Man, I can even remember how hot the sun was that day! During that period I was obsessed with different levels of depth. I remember I took so many photos that showed something close up, then something slightly further away and something even further away. Layers of buildings, of cars, shapes, humans – you name it. The fine morning I made this photograph I saw a composition in front of me that consisted of 3 levels and I just loved it so much I sat there waiting for the perfect subject to show up. During my wait, I was trying to determine the best possible position in order to get the buildings layered as I liked them. So I placed the right wall in the right hand third of the photo, the wall with the door in the second third of the photo and I left the other third to the alley. Many people passed but none attracted my attention. I had the backdrop but not the subject. I could feel the sun burning on my neck, but I kept on giving myself a few more minutes. Then she came. This snazzy lady wearing a striped dress looking as if she had stepped out of the ‘60s or 70s. I instantly knew then it was time to hit the shutter, and the smoothest sounding click resounded from the Yashica I held. The photo was made.

Click and Snap!