Lifestyle

Films Not Dead

22/01/2020

Films not dead: a moodboard of some sort of the last few months captured in all their lovely, blurry and unposed beauty on a film camera.

I adore my boyfriend’s eye for photography.

It’s funny, that his passion should fit so well with mine. When we first met, I used to say how great it was that I’d met someone to help me with photography. Whereas he used to tease me about wanting us to be a blogger power couple.

I adore his skill. Whether it’s capturing the emotion of a couple lovingly exchanging vowels at the altar or a lead singer thrashing it out on stage at a gig, my boyfriend has a penchant for really capturing the reality and emotion of a moment.

Recently, he’s been trying to use up the film in a film camera. This means he’s been following me around with a camera for the best part of four months like I’m his muse or something, haha.

Even the camera itself has some sort of story behind it – although we don’t know what. It was bought secondhand on eBay, after the seller had discovered it in their grandad’s attic.

There’s just something about film. You take a photo, and that’s it. It’s captured. There’s no second takes or editing. Although this means often the photos turn out less than perfect, it’s their imperfectness that makes them beautiful. Like the blur of a person who is excited and moves too quickly. Or a natural unposed gaze of someone who doesn’t quite realise they’re being photographed.

A couple of the photos I brightened ever so slightly to use on my Instagram. But I wanted to share the full lot here because. Although they don’t quite go with my Instagram theme, they’re some of the most wonderful photos I’ve seen in a long, long time.

Two photos of Louise at Warwick Castle. In the first, she is ascending a spiral staircase, looking up at the camera. In the second, she stands outside in warm clothes, with the castle grounds and buildings in the background, including a prominent tower—a moment that proves films not dead.

Louise is reflected upside down in a round, mirrored surface on a wooden floor. The surrounding room, with its intricate green geometric-patterned walls and floor, suggests an ornate, classic interior design. Part of a finger is visible at the edge, capturing the timeless essence that reminds us: films not dead.

Louise with blonde hair, wearing a black jacket, kneels on a grassy field scattered with pumpkins. They are placing a small pumpkin into an orange bucket. The sky is overcast, and in the background, trees and tall grasses create a scene straight out of "Films Not Dead.

Louise with blonde hair and bangs sips from a red cup while sitting at a wooden table. The table displays another red cup, a plate of food, and a napkin. Behind them, framed scenic landscape photos evoke the charm of "Films Not Dead." A lantern hangs nearby, adding a cozy atmosphere to the scene.

The image is divided into two parts: the top half shows five plants on a windowsill in a cozy cafe. The bottom half depicts a woman drinking from a cup in a warmly-lit cafe. A caption at the bottom reads, "Films Not Dead - New Year's Day 2020.

New Years Day. Three hours of walking in the brisk cold, hangovers long subsided. We went in search of a bridge – to quench my love for pretty bridges. But instead found ourselves exploring the windy passages of Cambridge by foot. When it came time to slowly stroll back to the car, the cold got the better of us. So we ducked into the first independent coffee shop we saw.

With mismatched mugs and cosy nooks, he found a seat whilst I ordered. A coffee for him, a hot chocolate for me and a sandwich to share. An unplanned visit to a coffee shop that was not a chain. One we just dipped into on a whim. It soon proved to be not just a good idea but something wonderful. I already knew I’d look back on in years to come. It was such a simple thing. But we joked if this was perhaps the beginning of a New Year’s Day tradition for us.

Louise stands in front of a mirror in a dimly lit room, preparing to apply lipstick. She wears a headband and a sleeveless, ruffled dress. A lit lamp on the wall and a TV showing a scene teeming with life remind us that films not dead are visible in the background.

Louise with outstretched arms and a joyful expression poses in a room with red walls. They have a tattoo on their right forearm and are wearing a feathered headband. In front of them is an ironing board leaning vertically against a wall.

Two side-by-side photos of Louise in a pink dress and headband, accessorized with long pearls. She is holding a dark clutch and striking playful poses. Below the images, a handwritten-style caption reads, "a little party never hurt nobody... Films Not Dead.

Louise sips from a wine glass at a dimly lit event. She is standing next to an illuminated decorative piece adorned with small lights. With wavy hair and wearing a pink dress, beaded necklace, and red wristband, dressed like she's from the 1920s.

Louise with blonde hair stands in an art gallery, looking up at several human-shaped sculptures suspended in mid-air. Another similar sculpture is positioned on the floor, all against a plain white wall. The scene evokes an almost cinematic quality.

I even love this one, even though it’s so out of focus. Me gazing up at the weird bodies scattered every which way across the walls. This was at Antony Gormley’s exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts late last year.