Joey

Our interview with Joey from @shoot_film_. Based in France, Joey's photographs illustrate the nostalgic quality of film, capturing everyday scenes in beautifully cool tones.

"I REALLY THINK FILM IS MORE ALIVE THAN IT HAS BEEN FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. PEOPLE ARE FED UP WITH EMOTIONLESS DIGITAL IMAGE MAKING AND ARE LOOKING FOR A MORE INVOLVED PROCESS"

What inspired you to first pick up a film camera and how old were you?

"My photography has always been gear-inspired. I love the beauty and feel of an all mechanical film camera. I was around 16 years old when I started photographing friends and carrying a camera on my travel journeys. I also made a lot of photos of cameras, the camera porn style pictures appealed to me and I collected these kinds of pictures on my tumblr page, creating a sort of vintage lifestyle mood."

I can see that you self develop and scan your work - do you have any tips for this?

"Lockdown has forced me to try this at home and that was actually the best step forward in my photographic learning process. I advise people to watch some YouTube tutorials as there are plenty available, and invest a relatively small amount of money on equipment. The Cinestill tool has really made the temperature part very easy and is a nice bit of kit that boosted my confidence to try it at home."

What inspires you creatively?

"Looking at other people's work, copying some of the elements I like in mine. I feel most inspired by good light and nice settings.

The photographs I like most were made whilst traveling. Photo walks are also very inspiring and force you to concentrate on creation."

The most interesting/unusual situation that photography has gotten you in?

"No specific situation comes to mind but I find the film photo community in general very friendly and welcoming. It allowed me to get to know people that share the same interests."

Do you think that film is truly still alive?

"I really think film is more alive than it has been for the last 20 years. People are fed up with emotionless digital image making and are looking for a more involved process. Film photography is a real learning commitment and intellectually inspiring. There are so many different layers to try out."

Finally, are there any quotes that you live by?

"There is one quote I live by that is not specifically photography related and that involves the concept of obsolescence: better but less that lasts longer. It’s the same thing as saying “I’m not rich enough to buy cheaply”. Relating this to photography I would advise to buy a kit of gear of the best quality available, even if expensive, and stick with it for as long as possible, cherishing it and passing it on to the next generation. I hate obsolescence."