Thursday 10 February 2011

film photos from barcelona

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When I was in Barcelona back in November, Albert dug out his father's old Pentax something something (look how well I know my cameras, oops) and took a few photos the old fashioned way. Here's a candid one from this photoshoot, and I have to say, I just love the way it came out.

Film photos have an amazing ambiance compared with digital, I feel. I resisted getting a digital camera for a long time, and while it was absolutely necessary finally to cave (ridiculous moving around with shoe boxes full of photos), there are aspects of film photography that I definitely miss. One is the excitement (or disappointment) of getting your pictures back in a paper envelope, and the other is the peculiar, flattened, yet much more realistic quality of the photos themselves.

The three photos below were taken with Albert's Nikon something something (I'll get on this, promise) from the roof of his apartment building. Again, you can almost feel the January sunshine in a way that is completely different from digital...

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looking down on and over Parc Joan Miró.

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Birds in the sky... and Sagrada Familia looming behind.

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The telecoms tower, the church and the amusement park on Tibidabo.

Things may be a little quiet around here on the blog for the next week. I'm going to Barcelona, and in the spirit of not getting bogged down by technology/there's no room in the damned carry-on, my laptop is staying home. I'll have a little Valentine's Day post however, though perhaps not your typical one...

P.S. If you miss me however, you should check out my ultimate packing guide interview, over here at Beautifully Pure, home of the lovely Katie.

43 comments:

k said...

Have an amazing time in Barcelona, I shall miss you! (don't get pick pocketed!)

Marta G. (A Bilingual Baby) said...

Hi Emily! I hope you have fun in my home town! Marta

Anonymous said...

Aaaah!SO jealous! Barcelona was the first European city I ever went to, such a special place in my heart :) I've been back since and I just can't get enough of it - enjoy!!

Rebeccak said...

I love that first photo - definately has that x-factor.

have a wonderful time away!

Sophie said...

I love the birdcages on the skirt! I want one!
Sophie
x

Shybiker said...

Like you, I was one of the last film holdouts. I really didn't want to migrate to digital but, eventually, I realized there was no choice. I still use my film camera for art-photography but it's getting harder to even buy film-stock and most film-developers have gone out of business. I agree with you that film produces better resolution and deeper color-saturation, but the ease and lower cost of digital has won the day. Oh well... Enjoy your trip.

Veronika Novotny said...

Lovely pictures and I ADORE your outfit. That skirt is beautiful, especially with those red tights. Have a wonderful time. xx veronika

Velvet said...

You're amazingly beautiful in that outfit!

Film photos were just charming.

Have a great day!

Diana said...

i will always love that outfit :) you are so right -- film cameras are a lot more fun and have a better ambiance about them. i always remember the excitement in getting back a set of pictures after they are developed and i miss that!! plus with film cameras you aren't mindlessly snapping pictures, you actually have to put more thought into it which = a better photo :) hope you have so much fun on your trip you traveling bug! xo

http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

ana said...

Oh your skirt is perfect! I have one film camera but is broken and is so difficult and expensive to fix them unfortunately but they are so lovely!

caitlin said...

have an amazing valentines week in barcelona! i don't doubt you will :)

thanks for the tip on "bread and tulips" (and the ceramic muffin tins!!)--i'll definitely have to check it out. the double-noun title also reminded me that i enjoyed "ginger and cinnamon," which may have been a better choice than "under the tuscan sun," since i couldn't remember if i liked it or thought it was ridiculous because i hadn't seen the movie in years and years!

anyway, i love (and trust) your suggestions... so thanks!

Opal Wells said...

lovely photos. I have so much respect for film photographers. It takes so much skill to produce exactly what you want.

jenniwells.blogspot.com

Ashley said...

oh yes, I agree! I love the grittiness that film photos sometimes have. And I also miss the surprise element of getting your photos back :)

Closet Fashionista said...

They came out great!! I miss taking photos with film...haha
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Awesome pics, great fun to see your awesome skirt again and to triple the awesomeness: Have an awesome time in Barcelona! :D

daisychain said...

skirt in the first photo...AMAZING

callie said...

I love these photos, especially that first one! It captures you so well.

Catita said...

enjoy Barcelona AGAIN! and what a skirt! so pretty ;)
xoxo
Catita

Amber said...

i love the way film photos come out and prefer them to digital but its getting hard to find places that still develop film

Unknown said...

Oh, I haven't taken film photos in such a long time! Now I very much want to, though. These are all lovely, and your skirt in the first picture is ADORABLE :)

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

First off, have a wonderful time in Barcelona! I know you will, but I had to say it all the same ;)

I was so excited when the title of this post popped up and the photos did not disappoint! You're right on with the ambiance. That's what I love the most about film photography. Digital photos cannot come close to achieving that extra element that makes film so dear. The first photo is stunning. I really like the matted look to all the colors. And the other three have really great detail. The color of the sky in the last is so warm and lovely. The best shade of blue, I think.

Your whole family used to gather around for Ballykissangel? That's so great. Ah, it was such a good show. I hadn't watched it regularly when it was on TV, so when I finally borrowed the DVDs from the library I would fill my free time with little else. And thanks for the movie recommendation! I looked into it and have already reserved a copy.

Elanor said...

wow you travel a lot! the photos are beautiful. :) and as for your outfit, i love your skirt!!

x

Lesley said...

YOUR SKIRT! it's adorable. i'm slightly envious. also, have an amazing time in Barcelona! my brother lived there for a year when I was younger, and visiting him was such an amazing trip.

Jo - Lost in the Haze said...

This is beautiful! I adore your outfit in the first picture! x www.lostinthehaze.com

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

the pictures are purely stunning. you look incrdible. the red tights are such a nice pop of colour. the film gives it this other form of realness and vintage edge to it. its amazing.

Have fun in Barcelona!

Sofia said...

Love this. Especially your red tights with that skirt. Yay!

Deppa said...

Beautiful photos! but the outfit is even more beautiful! I love the skirt and the tights!

See you :)

Kallie, Happy Honey and Lark said...

I can't even form my thoughts because I can't stop looking at how cute that outfit is. Everything about is is just...so well put together! And the deeetailllsss, so sweet.
Your comment meant so much to me, thank you for saying that. Its so hard to be wrongfully accused of something. I'm sorry that happened to you as a kid, I bet that boy was just a scared bully. Like the girl on the street. Hate is awful in all forms. Thanks for making me feel better about using the c word. You're the best. Oh and the colleges thing is just tough to swallow because I work so hard and people who work the system just knock you down by playing on their "minority."

Bhushavali said...

Love your skirt and red stockings!!!
Enjoy Barcelona. Awaiting your travelogue abt Barcelona!!!
Fashion Panache - Top For Sale - 2
The most beautiful eco-tour - Parappalaru Falls

Anonymous said...

Have a good trip...and I look forward to more photos like these. Admiring the leaves in the first pic.

Nana said...

Very cute blog! :) I am following<3

Anthea said...

These pics are so beautiful and really makes me want to buy a film camera. like a lot, a lot!

Love that skirt!

Anthea,
Embracing Style

Raquel said...

I remember that first picture's photoshoot, it's without a doubt that I prefer film photographs too. They seem magical and also remind me a lot from the times when I was a little kid.
Hope you have a great time in Barcelona!!

Kallie, Happy Honey and Lark said...

LETS ORGANIZE A BLOGGER MEETUP WHEN YOURE HERE IN THE SPRING!!!! my brain nearly exploded with excitement at writing that.

Anonymous said...

love the pics today and pretty red tights, great with that skirt!

Virginie Bardot said...

Film definitely has a unique quality to it that could never be imitated by digital. I Love these photos, and that outfit too! This skirt looks like it has a story to tell :)

Virginie’s Cinema

Unknown said...

I agree with you completely. I love film for the warmth of the grain you can get from certain 35mm film and also the tones it captures. Digital can rarely complete for the pure nostalgia too. Each has its strengths but film is something special nowadays. Beautiful skirt, by the way. Perfect with your tights.

Victoria said...

I love old film cameras :)

That skirt in the first picture is very pretty xxx

Ashley/ MILK TEETHS said...

Emily! That first photo is such a great candid one, I love the slight smile on your face. Also, every time I see that top on you I can't help but think how lovely it is (the peter pan collar and little ribbon do it for me every time). Agreed on the awesomeness of film. Grant only shoots film and the anticipation of getting photos back is so fun. Maybe one of these days I'll invest in an an AE-1 and do some film photography of my own...

Have fun in Barthhhhheeelona! :)

xx
MILK TEETHS

Louder Than Silence said...

Love these Emily, I much prefer film photography becuase of the rawness and imperfections you get. Lovely blouse in the top pic too. Sally x

Sarah said...

I am the millionth person the comment on this, but I LOVE THAT SKIRT!!

I also added yours to the list of blogs I follow on the side of my blog - hope that's cool with you!

Sarah xx
http://sockmyshoe.blogspot.com

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@Sarah: Of course! And thank you!

Neon Noose said...

I really love the print on your skirt.