Egypt // Ektar 100 // Lomography La Sardina

I'm so glad to have some film shots from this visit, though, I'm not as thrilled with the results as I was for my last roll of Ektar, which I shot in Jordan. Perhaps the differences in studios (one in Amman, one in Istanbul) is what amounts for the differences in color, however, I'm not really sure. Even though I was slightly underwhelmed, these photos are special (I mean, hello, the PYRAMIDS!), and it was fun to capture them on this medium.

All photos shot on Kodak Ektar 100 with my Lomography La Sardina camera, and developed by Kristal Color Studio in Istanbul. No edits were made to these photos.

I really loved this color scheme I stumbled upon in downtown Cairo.

So many colorful boats in Alexandria!

I think this light leak might have happened when I accidentally opened the back of the camera before I was done rewinding the film, oops!

Double exposure from the harbor. The first image is out over the water, and the second is a close up on a brightly colored boat on the beach. I like how it turned out, and I wish I'd done more double exposures!

Istanbul // T-Max 400 // Lomography La Sardina

These are my favorite shots from my first roll of black and white film, Kodak T-Max 400 shot on my La Sardina camera in rainy Turkey. This film was developed by Kristal Color Studio in Istanbul, which offers INCREDIBLE prices and turnaround times on film development (10 Turkish Lira (at the time $2) for color, available in one hour, and 20 Turkish Lira (at the time $4) for black and white, available after 6pm the same day).

I am truly impressed with how these turned out. The rainy weather really made these images, in my opinion, and though I was a little bummed getting soaked and chilled to the bone every day I went exploring, it was definitely worth it for these images I love. If the weather hadn't been so wet, I probably wouldn't have shot so much film, I would have carried my DSLR, so I'm glad the weather helped push me somewhat outside of my comfort zone.

For being a plastic toy camera, the La Sardina is really blowing my mind. The wide-angle lens was especially fun to use in the city. There were a handful of shots that didn't turn out, but I credit those to my inexperience with this film, and film in general, not to the camera itself.

Sight from the ferry.

Turkish Delights grace a window near the Grand Bazaar.

I attempted to take a photo of some pigeons chillin' on the street when my companion walked too close and startled them right as I clicked the shutter. I still like how the photo turned out, even though it wasn't what I was hoping for originally.

The trolley in Taksim.

I wasn't so much drawn to the street performer as I was to the empty sidewalk around him - a strange sight on this busy, touristy street.

Friendly bbs on Buyukada.

Maybe this photo isn't the best, but I love it because of the cat on the scooter (the main reason I took the photo in the first place).

I have another photo almost exactly the same that I shot because I knew this one would contain a possible "fist of the roll" flaw, but I actually prefer this one because of the flaw.

My favorite shot of the roll.

Jordan // Ektar 100 // Lomography La Sardina

This was my first time shooting Kodak Ektar, and I'm blown away by the insane colors! These perfectly capture the spirit of the city and all its colors set against mostly dusty cream-colored buildings. The yellow cabs, the fruit at the markets, and the cars (so many cars!) appear so vibrant and alive, the same way they come across in real life. These were all shot on my La Sardina camera, and developed at a small studio in Amman.

Jordan // Portra 400 // Pentax K1000

I was hardly able to contain my excitement as I picked out my first ever professional film for my first ever trip abroad. I chose Kodak Portra 400 35mm film to shoot on my Pentax K1000, and these are a few of my favorite shots. All these photos are untouched besides a little cropping here and there. The colors, tones, blurs, and grain are all a product of the film. This film was developed by The Darkroom Lab.

Cream buildings up and down the hills of downtown Amman.

This man walked in front of me just as I clicked the shutter. I love how it turned out, even if it wasn't the original plan.

Details of downtown Amman.

Sassy camels in Petra.

A rooftop view of Amman.

Details in the city center.

The Dead Sea.

The King Abdullah I Mosque in Amman.

Chatting with locals in Wadi Rum.

Saguaro National Park on Film

These are the results from a recent trip to Arizona. I brought a few 35mm point and shoot cameras with me to test, and I'm very pleased with how everything turned out. The dreamy film tones, the grain, the light leaks, it's all perfect. The split images are from a super cute Holga135TIM (TIM stands for "Twin Image Maker") camera that I purchased recently on eBay. I have never used one of these cameras before so I had a lot of fun figuring out how it worked. I really am in love with the way the images look side by side. The other photos are from a vintage Ricoh AF-5 (compact point-and-shoot) that I found at a thrift store for under five bucks (score!). None of these images have been edited in any way. I mean, the desert is already dreamy to begin with, but on film? UGH. Take me back now.