Featured Photophile, our recurring series showcasing talented photographers, is back with more photo inspiration for you. Today’s FP spotlights the rather incredible portraiture of Carianne Older. Her use of color, props, and lighting is really fantastic and totally worth a look.
Check them out, read Carianne’s thoughts on the medium, and let us know what you think in the comments.
Hi there – please introduce yourself.
Hey fellow Photophiles, my name is Carianne Older and I’m a gal from New York City who likes to take photos!
When did you start shooting? What’s your favorite camera, and why do you love it? What type of film do you use, and why?
I first started shooting in the eighth grade when my dad got me a DSLR for my birthday. Though digital has never quite been my thing, it was fun for a while. I got into film around my freshman year of college. I’d order multipacks of disposable cameras off the internet and carry them around town with me. I decided that this wasn’t the most efficient way of taking film photos, and around two years ago I found a point-and-shoot film camera in the swap area of my apartment’s basement. I couldn’t even tell you the name or make of the camera, but it was pretty good, and it really got me into shooting.
This past November, I decided to get serious about the whole thing and bought a Konica Hexar AF. For many film photographers, myself included, the Hexar AF is considered ‘the mecca’. I don’t really see myself owning another 35mm camera anytime soon, this is the main and only camera I shoot with, besides the occasional shot with Canon’s Sure Shot. I love my Hexar because every shot is a good shot. No exaggerations. It nails it every time.
I prefer Portra 400, mainly because I like the color and contrast it gives. I prefer 400 speed to anything else, so I’ve been sticking with that as of late.
What are your favorite subjects, and why?
People! I love to shoot portraits. I have many friends who are always down to model for me, and some who do so against their will.
I like the expressions people give. Real, raw emotions, whether they realize it or not. Shooting can be fun but it can also be very intimate if you let it get there. It’s all fun and games until you get the perfect portrait.
Why do you shoot film? Do you also shoot digital? What do you think about the differences between film and digital?
I shoot film because I like the raw quality of the photo. With digital I feel you take the picture, any picture, then you have to sit at the computer and edit it for five hours. With film, you take the photo, you get it back, and it’s perfect. No editing needed. I shoot digital on other people’s cameras. If my friends are doing a shoot for me and they want digital pictures, then sure! I’ll use digital. But my photo account is all film based.
What is unique about your work?
I don’t shoot models. I don’t want to shoot models. Mostly all photographers I see on Instagram these days ONLY shoot models. Which makes me wonder, is that a good photo? Or is the model just really gorgeous? I shoot real human beings. People that wouldn’t necessarily partake in photoshoots. It’s more fun, it’s more real, it’s more raw, and it’s more challenging. Sure, I’d shoot a model if they wanted me too, but I’m not seeking out models to shoot with me.
How do you achieve your results?
Cool lighting and a lot of luck. When you shoot film, you have no idea what the outcome will be! But that’s the fun of it.
Where do you hope your photography goes from here?
I hope my work gets out there someway, somehow. I’m not really pushing for that, as I have a full time job. My photography is something I do to get my creative energy out because I sit at a desk all day for work. I would love to see my stuff in hip magazines, or for really niche brands. I’ve started doing some of that on the low. But for now, my photography is mainly for me!
Do you have any advice for new photographers?
Put down your iPhone, and pick up a camera. BUY A FILM CAMERA! A cheap point-and-shoot will do the trick, no need to go off and spend hundreds on a camera. You don’t need a Contax or Leica to consider yourself a photographer. #nomoreiphonepics2018
Where can people see more of your images?
Just on Instagram for now. I hope to branch out soon.
Many thanks to Carianne for sharing her work here. Feel free to reach out in the comments below.
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Great photos! How is the film scanned?