How do I explain this without sounding like a complete kookybird?
I just woke up. Yawn. Stretch.
And I had an idea for a photography shoot. Truly the best ideas germinate when the subconscious and the dream world collaborate. And for me to make this dream a reality…
I need to wrap some splitfilm.
My splitfilm discipline, in which I combine two (or more) rolls of film into one camera and then expose both films simultaneously, has produced some spectacular results in the past. Splitfilm photos like The Agfa Bridge Over Ansco Lake and Coca-Cola Relieves Fatigue have claimed silks at the New York State Fair, while The Lenten Meal recently sold at both Historic Albany’s BUILT fundraiser AND at the Photo Center of Troy’s Members’ Show event.
But to prepare splitfilm, one needs total darkness. One needs extra 616-sized spools and old 616 backing paper. That, and two rolls of 35mm film, which can be rolled into the backing paper parallel to each other.
I checked my film availability. There were two rolls of 35mm slide film that I hadn’t used yet – a pack of Fuji Velvia 50, and an expired pack of Fuji T64. I should be able to play with both of these in the same exposure.
Do I have any 616 paper left? Yes I do. And an extra spool to wind it on? Gotsies.
I take the film, the backing paper, the spools and some Scotch tape to my ersatz storage closet / darkroom. Door closed. Lights out.
And as I wrap the two strips of film so that they run parallel to each other, I thought to myself.. “Self, what will this film capture? What do you hope to achieve with these shots? Can you take the fragment of idea that was in your dreams, and turn it into something amazing and special and wonderful? Is the film fresh, has the expired film resisted spoilage? Are you wrapping the film tightly, so that there are no light leaks? Have you kept your greasy fingerprints off the film emulsions? Can you capture something amazing with this concept? Or is this just a somnambulistic diversion, a twist from clarity into the realm of impossibility?”
Darned if I know.
I have an idea, though, that will surpass splitfilm. It will encompass the splitfilm technique, but it will add something additional to the mix. It would be a way to encapsulate the concept, and build on it as well. That’s the true nature of not only experimental photography, but of experimentation as well. The idea of taking a concept, no matter how far-flung or convoluted, and making it happen.
For all I know, my idea may be as crazy as convincing 1+1 to equal 10. And yet I know that can happen; heck, if you do the math in binary, then for sure 1+1 equals 10. QED.
Film is tightly wrapped. A quick band of Scotch tape to seal the roll. Now it’s ready for me to use. Experimental film roll ready to go.
This is part of the preparation process. And if, at 3:30 in the morning on November 16, 2013, the film I’ve wrapped might someday claim a ribbon at Altamont or at the New York State Fair, or might raise money at a charity auction…
Then waking up to do this kind of prep work is more than worth it.
Now it’s time to go back to sleep.
Maybe my brain and my dreams can collaborate on something else.
Chuck The Writer 