Today, we’re featuring a gorgeous travel story from film photographer Yoann Buetas. Here is more from Yoann about using film to capture his time in Lanzarote…
For this trip to Lanzarote, it was the first time I decided to go on a trip by favoring film photography. For the few years that I have been shooting with film, I have always wanted to do it but never dared. I started photography with a digital camera and the ability to shoot “infinitely.” It was complicated for me to tell myself that I was leaving with a limited number of shots. Always afraid of shooting less and missing “the photo,” the memory would be the only thing I would have. Especially on a trip where I felt compelled to bring back as many photos as possible and constantly shoot everything that seemed important to me.
And then the opposite finally happened… I felt liberated. Free to stop shooting anything and everything without thinking. Free to not bring home thousands of photos to throw away 90% of them. The freedom of not having to sort, edit, and leave images aside for months.
Ask yourself, enjoy the trip, take the time to take a better look, to think. And bring back only the important images.
I brought back four rolls of Portra 400 and a roll Neopan 400 from the island of a thousand volcanoes. And you can watch the whole photo series on my website if you want more.
Analog cameras and films used: Canon A1 (Find at KEH Camera or on eBay) | Kodak Portra 400 (Find on Amazon)
Connect with Yoann: Website | Instagram
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Blog Comments
Juna
July 26, 2023 at 10:15 am
“the memory would be the only thing I would have“ – here I wanted to say first: But that’s more than most people bring back, seeing things not only though a lens, might it be a camera or a phone…but then, ja, you found out yourself and I must admit I love your photos, the calmness they show, the quietness. Thank you for sharing.
Yooyye
July 26, 2023 at 3:27 pm
Managing to create a story and a special atmosphere with my travel photos and sharing it brings me almost as much pleasure as the trip itself.
Thank you for your comment !
Rich
July 26, 2023 at 10:23 am
These images give me wanderlust. Beautiful job. My first camera was an A-1, purchased in 1988. I flipped over to Nikon when all my gear got stolen in college and a friend sold me her EM, but I have a special place in my soul for the A-1.
Yooyye
July 26, 2023 at 3:36 pm
This device is my 3rd child 😉
Rich R
July 26, 2023 at 11:28 am
I took a photography course back in high school. The habits formed using a Yashica Medium Format camera are still with me. With only 12 shots per roll, you try to make each shot count, rather than taking a bunch of almost-okay shots and hoping that one comes out. ????
Your lovely pictures show you have gotten that concept down well!
–Rich
Yooyye
July 26, 2023 at 3:38 pm
Thank you for your comment.
I try to apply this concept also with digital now.
Andy
July 29, 2023 at 12:17 pm
Loved reading your story and seeing the images you captured. It really is a great discipline in knowing that with every click of the shutter you’re creating a memory that will last for years and making each one count.
Like you, I treasure my Canon A-1, it’s more than just a camera to me, it’s like an old friend who I know so well and has been with me since I first set of on my photographic journey over 30 years ago.
So, thanks for posting your story and keeping film alive
Yooyye
July 30, 2023 at 12:58 pm
Thank you for your comment.
And I hope your photographic journey with your Canon lasts for a long time to come !