How to shoot film on the fly
The Mariposa Fair is the event of the year for this small rural community just outside of Yosemite National Park. So many local kids are heavily involved in the FFA program that school shuts down for a week, simply because they know attendance would drop drastically. The fair is a colorful clash of different groups of people, which is what makes it so fun to photograph, not to mention the Indian tacos and funnel cake.
The fair has the rodeo, demolition derby, rides, food and all kinds of vendors selling everything from cheap plastic toys to stunning turquoise jewelry. The pageantry of the rodeo is quite romantic, the Rodeo Queen, the incredible detail to the cowboys chaps, the relationship they have with their horses and the complete abandon of fear of the bull riders holds some kind mf mysticism. The roughness of the derby makes me crave a Coors for reasons I cannot describe. The fair is also full of all kinds of socio economic backgrounds too. From ride operators with complicated histories, low income families who saved for months to bring their kids here, generational cowboys and bull riders, ranchers who own thousands of acres and motor enthusiasts. Even though the fair was just a five minute drive from my home, it felt like traveling to a far off place, because it is such a different world than the one I know. Seeing these young kids spend a year or more raising these animals and learn to show them is incredible, and the money they get for them is astonishing. It is heartwarming to see the community support these kids, and offer hundreds to thousands of dollars for their livestock.
These are some film photos I took at fair, on two different cameras. The black and white photos were taken on a Nikon N65 with Kodak Tri-X400. The color photos were taken on my Minolta X700 with CineStill 800, I think I also shot a roll of Kodak Color Plus. My favorite photos from this set are the two black and white shots of the young girl on the fair ride. I love the glow and the grain, the photo is eerie yet nostalgic.
I know a lot of people have some strong feelings about fairs and rodeos. My thought is that it’s a culture and way of life for a lot people, and though I don’t understand it, I find it very interesting and a fun experience.
Street Style Photography
As I mentioned before, I brought a Nikon N65 and a Minolta X700 to shoot with, and as always, I only shoot in manual. I interchanged lenses throughout the day, 35 mm and 50mm, and I almost always shoot at 2.8 F stop or lower. Most of the photos I took at the fair happened while we were just walking around, and it’s so busy that I don’t think people even register that you are taking a photo. There were a few people that I stopped and asked permission, which is great rejection therapy, but my experience is that most people are happy to play along. The woman pushing the stroller in the cowboy boots and hat was my favorite person I saw at the fair. We never met, but I think I took about 7 photos of her, I just kept seeing her everywhere we went. Have you ever had that happen while traveling? Where you notice someone at an airport, you are both flying to the same place, and you see them a few times at your mutual destination? But then you are also on the same flight home? What is the deal with that? It’s giving Truman Show. That was how I felt about the boots and stroller lady.
Okaaayyyy, but the glow on these lights?! The blur of her boot. I can’t.
In a world full of AI, be authentic
There was one man I asked to take his photo, and he was excited to have been asked and so kind. He had dark skin, was wearing a black jacket and beanie, illuminated by the light of a popcorn and lemonade vendor, but what caught my eye was his mouth full of gold teeth. I don’t know if I rushed myself and didn’t meter correctly, or if it was too dark and the contrast in lighting was not in my favor, but the photo did not turn out at all how I wanted. But that’s the beauty of film, it happens in the present, it teaches you lessons, and is whatever the opposite of instant and consistent gratification is. I stopped another cute couple I saw to ask for a photo and they are kind enough to pause their evening for me. It s not an interesting photo, it is not a very good photo, but it is a thing that happened in real life, unaltered. I know a lot of people have opinions on this, but I will never edit my film scans, outside of cropping. No Lightroom, no Adobe anything, no Photoshop. I personally think that cheapens the entire process of not only shooting film, but understanding film and your camera. In a world full of AI and editing software, I want to keep things real.
Ultimate Guide to Shooting Film at Fairs
These are of course my own opinions and what has worked for me, I would love to hear from you if you have a different suggestion or experience! I brought two fairly (heehee) similar cameras, because I don’t want to have to choose between color or BW film. It also comes in handy if you want a 100-200 ISO for mid day shots, but then maybe need 800 ISO inside a barn or dark exhibit full of jams and quilts. For daytime color film I would go with ColorPlus, Ektar or Portra 160, in that order based off your budget and skill level. Cinestill 800 is fun for night because, when done correctly, it adds a really fun glow to the lights. Ilford Delta 3200 is a great nigh time black and white film stock for the fair, Tri-X400 is a good daytime choice with plenty of play for day light into dusk.
I personally would not use a point a shoot, but that’s because I’m a bokeh girlie, I want that shallow depth of field that highlights the main subject of my shot. Honestly there is just too much going on at a fair and I feel like and aperture over 3 is going to look messy AF. I’m sure there are plenty of really cool point and shoot fair shots out there, but for now it isn’t my cup of tea. Which brings me to my next tip, shoot at 2.8, bring and SLR and a 35 mm lens. A 50mm could be too tight. A wider lens honestly might be a lot of fun, but I think a 35mmgives you a good happy medium for portrait and landscape photos. My dream camera at the moment, a Contax T3, would be the exception to the “no point and shoot” rule. I want one of these so bad! As for your shutter speed, that will of course depend on your ISO and available light, but also on what your goal is for the final product. Do you want your photos crispy and sharp, or a is a little movement part of you vibe? Are you shooting rodeo or just people walking about? I love the blur I got on the woman’s boot, it all comes down to personal style. Just get out and shoot, learn your camera and have some fun. Not every photo has to blow your socks off. Or at least that’s what I tell myself.
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