To shoot an entire lifestyle documentary photo series on a battered old Yashika FX-3 that was handed to me by a stranger in a pub 10 years ago was an experiment to say the least. Having failed to shoot our Transient II series on analogue thanks to a temperamental Canon A1 belonging to Ben’s grandad, it’s fair to say our expectations for Transient III were low.
In freeing ourselves of our expectations however, the process became more enjoyable, more fluid. The little camera got picked up only during moments of quiet, in-between times where nothing spectacular was happening- most likely we were eating in some lay-by, washing or simply watching time pass. Occasionally it would capture moments of elation, or despair, or intimate portraits of our lives. Not being able to see the results instantly made it feel more private, more personal.
This camera taught us the joy of forgetting, confining memories to film that wouldn’t be developed until months later. The opening of the packet to see the photographs at last bore a visceral reaction; here for the first time we were holding our own photos in our hands as something tangible, not looking at them on a screen. An emotion welled up inside that was usually reserved only for looking through boxes of old family photos; nostalgia, in its purest form, woven throughout the film grain and warm tones of Kodak Gold. These photos somehow held a deeper meaning and poignancy to them than their shiny digital counterparts.
The light leaks, soft focus and fogging were beautiful in their imperfections, adding an artistic twist as varied and unpredictable as our time on the road. These photos painted a portrait of their own; they chose what stories to tell.
Travel for us is as much about experiences as it is the search for a simple life full of meaning. Our journey is slow and intentional, uncomplicated and unselfconscious, at once immersed in the moment and mindful of its finiteness. Rediscovering our love for analogue has been a journey in itself, and just like travel I foresee it quickly becoming an addiction and a fervent passion of ours.
