Darkroom Film Lab

“My name is Sia Ludwig, I’m an oil painter and photographer from LA currently living in Philadelphia. I learned how to operate my mom’s Nikkormat film camera in 2022, but I’ve always had an affinity for photography thanks to my late grandfather, Allan Ludwig. I grew up looking at the family photos he took that made ordinary moments look like film stills. He had an incredible eye for capturing light and emotion and I aspire to one day be able to do the same. He also heavily inspired my interest in gravestones and the macabre; I love the exaggerated contrast between light and shadow you can achieve with black and white film photography. My aim with a lot of my work is to elicit emotional responses through melodramatic narrative, and an idea of peace and acceptance — of death, of solitude, and the sheer strangeness of life.”

“My name is Nicolette and I picked up a film camera about 10 years ago. Self-taught, trial and error, and experimentation has all led me to where I am today. I love to test my limits with double exposures and expired film. If I can make people feel a certain way through my images, then I know I’ve accomplished something.”

“I’m Anthony [Heews], a professional photographer here in the SFV. For over a decade, I’ve been shooting film and bringing a camera with me wherever I go. My work is random for that reason - I capture what I find interesting in whichever environment I find myself. Leading me to shoot models, artists, and day-to-day life. Casually and Professionally. This is a collection of some of my favorite work that encompasses both of these worlds.“

“Film photography entered my life at a time when I was in a dark place and not creating much art. Before film, I specialized in landscapes using digital, always trying to create “bangers” with my friends. If a photo didn’t meet that standard, I was reluctant to edit or share it. Slowly, I fell out of love with the process.

Film reframed my approach to photography. I started documenting everyday life and events just for the fun of it. So many film photos from the last few years put such a smile on my face, and that feeling is far more rewarding than chasing the idea of being the next Ansel Adams.

While this photoset includes landscapes (I don’t think I’ll ever not be in awe of Yosemite), these days I don’t feel the pressure to create my best photo. I just shoot for the memories and for the fun of it.”

“My name is Bryce Pascual, im based in Los Angeles California. As of now im trying my best to document life around me as well as take nice pictures of my friends. I have been having fun doing that so i think thats the direction i will continue to go for now and see what happens.”

“Wow do I love taking photos. I started shooting for a darkroom class my sophomore year of high school and just loved how the resulting photos encouraged me to do more exciting things. I love capturing the natural world, people, and people interacting with the natural world as a journal of my own feelings. It’s fun to look back and remember smells, sounds, jokes, mountains, waves, people, pain, joy, and all the other thangs that have shaped who I am through the last 10 years of shooting. In my opinion, shooting on film just helps me care more about each image. It looks more like what the moment felt like in a way? Whether film or digital, I love the photo game. Looking forward to getting my next roll back from processing

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Camera: Mamiya 645
Film: CatLabs 80

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Title: Winter Blooms
Camera: Canon Rebel K2
Film: Fuji 400

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Camera: Pentax 67
Film: Kodak Tri-X

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Camera: Canon Rebel G
Film: Lomochrome Purple

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Camera: Mamiya RB67
Film: Kodak Gold 200
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