NPHS film photographers capture student life
As their camera flashes, a film photographer cannot simply click a button and look at the photos they have just taken or hope to take infinitely more. The process of capturing film photos is an involved one, in which the photographer has only 24 chances to get their shot and cannot see their result until the photos have been developed. However, due to the revival of film photography across Newbury Park High School’s campus, many students report that this seemingly laborious process is worth it.
Eric Lindroth’s Photography 1 class fosters an environment in which students have access to a darkroom and are expected to take half of the photos required for the course on film cameras. Neeks Nagel, sophomore, is currently a Photography 1 student and is enjoying it immensely. However, Nagel’s love for photography started before he entered Lindroth’s class. “[I became interested] mostly because my mom took it in high school and she really fueled my fire and love for photography,” Nagel said. Nagel is an avid photographer and appreciates the challenge of taking film photos as opposed to other types. “It takes so much time to develop film and to get the creation you want with film versus digital,” Nagel said.
Another Photography 1 student, Nellie Patsch, freshman, appreciates the art of film photography and has experienced the learning curve it renders in class. Film photography may be considered “vintage” by high school students, but Patsch thinks this is what’s unique to the art form. “It feels more like a universal experience, because so many people from history have taken pictures. Like…this is how our parents took pictures,” Patsch said. Patsch notices that the high school darkroom is a great place where students can learn and benefit from developing their photos.
Eli Zasloff, sophomore, was introduced to the art of film cameras after taking Photography 1 his freshman year. Zasloff feels film photography is about being in the moment and centered on any certain situation a photographer is experiencing. “It definitely made me more creative and more aware of what I’m shooting,” Zasloff said. Zasloff suggests that with only 24 spots in a film roll, it gives a lot of creative freedom to the photographer to figure out the central idea for the photos. “You have to come up with some abstract ideas, to [come up] with interesting photos,” Zasloff said.
Whether they are in the darkroom, taking photos or developing ideas, film photographers can be spotted all around Newbury Park High School’s campus. An almost universal sense of nostalgia can be sensed within the confines of a film camera, and student photographers do not plan on stopping this revival in interest. “I feel like I have been born to do photography, and it just makes me so happy and it is my favorite class right now,” Nagel said.
