Spring in the PNW, a Busted Roll & Medium Format Beauty
12 Months on Film: May 2025
Welcome back to 12 Months on Film the series where I share my year-long journey of capturing life through the unique lens of analogue photography! Each month brings a new challenge and a new camera, pushing my creativity and expanding my understanding of this beautiful art form.
As a photographer, there's a certain magic to shooting on film. The anticipation of seeing your developed negatives, the unique colors and textures — it's a process that truly makes you slow down and appreciate the art. However, as many film photographers know, it also comes with its share of unpredictable moments!
My journey with the 12 Months on Film project this May was a perfect example. I decided to try out a friend's Minolta camera for the first time, and to add another layer of experimentation, I loaded it with some expired film. What could go wrong, right? Well, it turns out, quite a bit! When I got the roll back, it was completely black. Whether it was a loading error on my part or just a dud roll of expired film, the results were a bust.
But that's the beauty of making your own rules! Instead of missing a month for the project, I decided to share some scans I received in May that were actually shot in April.
For me, shooting film photography is a deeply intentional process. It forces me to slow down, to truly observe the light, and to consider every composition before pressing the shutter. Unlike the instant gratification of digital, the analog process demands patience – from carefully setting your manual exposure and metering the light to the long wait for your film rolls to be developed and scanned. This deliberate approach often yields unique results, from the distinct film grain and color rendition of specific film stocks like the Kodak Gold 200 I used, to the unmatched depth found in medium format negatives.
Many of these Pacific Northwest spring landscapes were captured during a trip to the iconic Columbia River Gorge. The waterfalls along the Historic Columbia River Highway — like Multnomah Falls and Falls Creek Falls — were particularly stunning subjects for the Yashica Mat 124 G. The lush balsam root flowers and the sheer power of the gorge truly come alive on Kodak Gold 200 film, showcasing the PNW landscape's natural beauty.
I was particularly surprised by how well the waterfall shots turned out. I didn't have a shutter release or a tripod with me, so I was really just relying on my instincts and the camera's capabilities. Despite those limitations, the film captured the movement and light beautifully.
These images were all captured on my with Kodak Gold 200 film. It just goes to show that even when things don't go exactly as planned, film photography can still deliver some truly delightful surprises.
Thank you for joining me In Search of Wonder. Until next time.
💛 Jenny
I'm in Sandy/Brightwood. I recognize the scenes you shared. You captured the falls w/o a tripod?!?!?!! Amazing.
So cool you are doing this project! I have been shooting film for 2 years and loving it. I actually run a film-only adventure magazine called Revelry Collection. Maybe we could collaborate and include your work in there someday?