Fashion Week is not just about fashion. While the main event is technically the extravagant clothes, shows can sometimes turn into swarms of sweaty photographers, bloggers thirsting for photo ops, and flashing lights, lights, lights, lights…
Corny Kanye moment aside, Fashion Week shows and afterparties are a hub for capturing the backstage craziness, model slip-ups, and new runway developments. Since the Opening Ceremony Fall/Winter 2015 collection was inspired by Spike Jonze’s early archive of work, we knew we had to capture our show in a way that would make our favorite director/photographer proud. In addition to giving our unlikely skate rats the reigns by sending them off with disposable cameras, we also had Kodak officials capture the many moments with their celebrated 35mm or 120 medium format film.
All photographers (and selfie professionals) understand that taking the perfect image at a fashion event is hard enough with a digital camera, but getting the perfect shot with unforgiving film poses an even more exciting challenge. But who’s to say that method is strictly for experts?
Below, Matthew Stoffel, who works in Kodak’s Chief Marketing Office and was there to photograph our Fall/Winter 2015 show, shares five tips on how to capture the perfect fashion shot with a film camera.
Shop all Opening Ceremony men’s and women’s
Choose Your Film Stock
Do you want to shoot black and white? What about higher saturation? When shooting film you’ve got options and you need to spend some time learning about the capabilities of each. Although film stocks are versatile and ultimately an esthetic choice to be made by the photographer, some film stocks are designed to work better for certain subjects or situations. Read up on the characteristics of the film so you know what to expect. KODAK PORTRA Color Negative Film was the perfect choice for shooting the Kodak Capsule and the rest of the fall collection because it renders natural skin tones and colors.
Choose Your Format
For film, your camera dictates your format. There have been many over the years, but 35mm, medium format, and large format, are quite popular now. 35mm (or 135) comes in those convenient canisters that make loading and unloading the camera very simple, with 36 exposures to a roll. Medium format is often called 120 or 220 and the film is on a spool. My camera gets 16 frames of 120 and 32 frames of 220. Large format is just that—large! The film is typically in sheets, not a roll. The cameras are also quite large. I shoot with 135 and 120 format cameras and brought both with me to the show. Having 36 exposures of 35mm meant I didn’t miss anything, and I shot medium format for the increased resolution. That helped to show the details in the fabrics and prints.
Pack Right
Shooting film tends to make you more committed and planning is very important. Think about what you’ll need while shooting and work with what you’ve got. I knew with the huge crowd at the show that I didn’t want to bring any accessories or lighting because there probably wouldn’t be much room for them. I had my came
Corny Kanye moment aside, Fashion Week shows and afterparties are a hub for capturing the backstage craziness, model slip-ups, and new runway developments. Since the Opening Ceremony Fall/Winter 2015 collection was inspired by Spike Jonze’s early archive of work, we knew we had to capture our show in a way that would make our favorite director/photographer proud. In addition to giving our unlikely skate rats the reigns by sending them off with disposable cameras, we also had Kodak officials capture the many moments with their celebrated 35mm or 120 medium format film.
All photographers (and selfie professionals) understand that taking the perfect image at a fashion event is hard enough with a digital camera, but getting the perfect shot with unforgiving film poses an even more exciting challenge. But who’s to say that method is strictly for experts?
Below, Matthew Stoffel, who works in Kodak’s Chief Marketing Office and was there to photograph our Fall/Winter 2015 show, shares five tips on how to capture the perfect fashion shot with a film camera.
Shop all Opening Ceremony men’s and women’s
Choose Your Film Stock
Do you want to shoot black and white? What about higher saturation? When shooting film you’ve got options and you need to spend some time learning about the capabilities of each. Although film stocks are versatile and ultimately an esthetic choice to be made by the photographer, some film stocks are designed to work better for certain subjects or situations. Read up on the characteristics of the film so you know what to expect. KODAK PORTRA Color Negative Film was the perfect choice for shooting the Kodak Capsule and the rest of the fall collection because it renders natural skin tones and colors.
Choose Your Format
For film, your camera dictates your format. There have been many over the years, but 35mm, medium format, and large format, are quite popular now. 35mm (or 135) comes in those convenient canisters that make loading and unloading the camera very simple, with 36 exposures to a roll. Medium format is often called 120 or 220 and the film is on a spool. My camera gets 16 frames of 120 and 32 frames of 220. Large format is just that—large! The film is typically in sheets, not a roll. The cameras are also quite large. I shoot with 135 and 120 format cameras and brought both with me to the show. Having 36 exposures of 35mm meant I didn’t miss anything, and I shot medium format for the increased resolution. That helped to show the details in the fabrics and prints.
Pack Right
Shooting film tends to make you more committed and planning is very important. Think about what you’ll need while shooting and work with what you’ve got. I knew with the huge crowd at the show that I didn’t want to bring any accessories or lighting because there probably wouldn’t be much room for them. I had my came