Florida

In early 2023, my parents and I embarked on a trip to the Gulf coast of Florida, specifically Marco Island. Primarily intended as a business trip for my father, he generously extended an invitation for my mother and me to accompany him and enjoy the sun-soaked Gulf coast. Anticipating the occasion, I carefully packed an assortment of film, though, regrettably, I underestimated my requirements, wishing I had brought more. Consequently, some of the captured moments are duplicates, albeit in varying scenarios and different times of the day. I brought along my trusted Mamiya 645 1000s and Canon A1, shooting on both Kodak Gold 200 and Portra 400 films.

Although our stay was brief, we made the most of our time by exploring the surrounding area and immersing ourselves in the local sights. Our travels took us north to the captivating city of Naples, Florida, where we spent a leisurely day engaging in shopping and savoring the atmosphere. Throughout the day, I had the opportunity to capture compelling images that resonated with me. Additionally, my mother and I embarked on a day trip to the serene Everglades, seeking solitude amidst its tranquil landscapes and remarkable wildlife. The resulting photographs reflect the beauty we encountered during our explorations and serve as a testament to the memorable experiences we had.

In this collection, the first set of photographs was shot on Kodak Gold 200, a personal favorite film stock of mine. These images showcase the allure of everyday scenes that possess an inherent beauty, regardless of their mundane nature. They also embody the essence of spontaneous photography, capturing moments that caught my eye and exemplify the reasons why each photograph was taken.

The second set of photographs was captured on Kodak Portra 400, widely regarded as one of the premier film stocks available. Once again, this particular film stock holds a special place in my heart. The images in this collection convey a more relaxed and mundane atmosphere, as I wandered around seeking favorable lighting conditions or anything that caught my attention and warranted being transformed into an image. While some scenarios presented challenging conditions for this film stock, resulting in peculiar or less captivating shots, I believe they still possess merit and deserve to be shared. This is one of the inherent beauties of film photography—although not every photograph may achieve perfection, each one possesses its unique charm that should be observed and appreciated.

Please note that this collection will be expanded upon in the future, as I continue to explore and document captivating moments through the medium of film.