MY SECOND ROLL TAKEN WITH CANON AE-1 PROGRAM

Hi there!

Before I start my post, I would totally want to include the Spotify playlist I'm listening to now, but I don't know how to embed it here oops. -EDIT: I DID IT!!!-

I was looking through IG and Carousell that day, and I saw a lot of film cameras I want to buy. BUT NO. Stop looking! *smacks hand* 

Like my mum always say, I have very expensive hobbies. But look ma! I put them to use ok. 

Realised my previous posts I don’t really talk about photography stuff so here are some storage tips so your expensive hobbies last longer:

BTW it's super important to store your cameras and guitar properly. I store my cameras at humidity level ~39% in a dry cabinet, and my guitars at 45% in a room with this dehumidifier (Deerma brand) I got on Shopee. *ahem* hi Deerma if by any chance you happen to see this, I'm open to sponsors. LOL I'm a joke. Every time I write my posts I feel like I'm talking to myself. Anyway if you're planning on getting one, do check for the amount of water it can collect. Mine collects close to 1.5 to 2L (I think) after a few hours but that's because my house is freaking humid gosh. Lesson learnt the hard way was when my DSLR lens had mould, and also when my precious guitar was covered with mould spots EW! No choice when SG weather is like this. However, if you have aircon in your room then it helps too! :) any aircon companies want to sponsor-shut up shu mei.

Anyway, here are the photos I took on 16 May 2021. The weather was perfect I had to get out to take some photos :D I also walked so much under the sun I think I've come to terms that my awkward tan line on my legs will never fade. Heh.

The streets and roads were super empty on day 1 of phase 2. I love the quietness but it just didn't feel right. I really wish things were back to the way it was pre-covid. But we have to really appreciate the little things in life. I can name some from that day- having a window seat on the bus, listening to the sounds around you, walking aimlessly. 

Photos here are taken with my Canon AE-1 Program and the film I used this time round is Kodak Ultramax 400! I kept this roll in a box since 2019 and it was about to expire + my room was very humid so I wasn't sure if the colours would be fine. So I'm super glad they turned out pretty alright! Maybe it's beginner's luck. I'm super happy with the colours too :) that's film right? Hehe you never know what you'll get. Also, when I was loading my film I swear I thought I didn't load it properly. But the rewind lever was also moving as I advanced the film, so it means the film is moving, which also means it's okay I guess!

I metered this at box speed i.e. ISO 400 because I was researching whether to overexpose but other film peeps say it’s not recommended unlike the Portra 400. I’ve been doing a ton of research about film ever since buying the Canon AE-1 Program cos I really don’t want to get images like how I did for my point and shoot oops. Years of editing the film look but it’s only when I get a proper film camera that I read up more on it haha. Anyway I also tested using A Program aka auto mode my old time friend but I realised I didn’t like how the shadows were tinted green. So yup! It’s interesting though, that the Ultramax 400 colours turned out better than expected. It’s actually not too bad. 

Fun fact: the 3rd photo- an uncle actually hid behind a tree while I pointed my camera towards his direction. He just appeared out of nowhere omg. Sorry uncle I didn't mean to look like I was taking a photo of you HAHAHA *face palm* 

P.S. some shots are repeated because I wanted to see the difference for the settings :) I also have a thing for archways hence the different archway photos. Some shots were also senget oops. I was tempted to straighten it out post edit, but nah I'll leave it as it is. You can tilt your head instead like what I did LOL.

Here are the photos!

F11, 1/60

F2.8, 1/30

F8, 1/125

F16, 1/125

A Program

F11-16, 1/250

F11, 1/60

A Program

F11-16, 1/250

F11-16, 1/125

F11-16, 1/125

F22, 1/125

A Program

F11, 1/500

F11, 1/60

F16, 1/250

F16, 1/250

F16, 1/250

F11, 1/125

F8, 1/250

F8, 1/125

F4, 1/60

F11, 1/60

F11, 1/250

F4-5.6, 1/250

F8, 1/60

F5.6-8, 1/60

F4, 1/60

F2.8-4, 1/30

F8, 1/60

F5.6, 1/125

F8.5-11, 1/250

Thank you for scrolling through my photos :) it really means a lot.

With love,

Maycey

MY FIRST ROLL TAKEN WITH CANON AE-1 PROGRAM

Hello everyone! Maycey here. It's been so long since I updated my photo blog. Almost 3 years since my last post... Hope everyone's doing fine now with the new COVID updates. Meh, I know. Jiayou everyone! :) (especially those prepping for HBL omg it was a nightmare). You know what I’ll miss temporarily? Buffets. LOL. I kinda found a liking towards oysters now and you tell me, where to find free flow oysters now huh!! Anyway, do stay safe and drink lots of water :) Water is good and it's my favourite drink. No who am I kidding, it's tehbing siewdai. Ok shut up Maycey no one cares about oysters or tehbing now HAHA oops I’m talking to myself erm.. 

Before you continue reading, I always encourage clicking "view web version" instead of the individual blog post link 'cos the photos will look bigger and clearer :D

I recently bought myself an SLR film camera (FINALLY!! Go see my May 2013 blogpost lol I used a Holga last time). I've always known I wanted one since I started photography, but did not have the guts to buy it 'cos of the film cost + I have this thing I need to capture things quick/in the moment and I can't deal with manual settings. Maybe I'm just a noob lol. But it's a good thing! 'cos I'm forced to use manual now. It really makes me think carefully what settings to use.

Also, I'm so glad I have time to dedicate to my hobbies i.e. photography and music this holiday. I need to appreciate this moment because I haven't had the time or motivation to do so while working and it was taking a toll on my mental health. Sometimes days just felt so mundane like I was repeating the same routine. Life, death, humans, you name it. To add on, I was physically tired. It's so important to prioritise your happiness and wellbeing and take time to do things you like. I found it hard to even pick up my guitar or the camera, I just gave up on them. I.just.dropped.everything lol. So nowwww, when I finally have the motivation and my motor running, I'm slowly learning to take things one step at a time :) 

SO HERE IT IS!!! 

Here are photos taken on my CANON AE-1 PROGRAM. 

And of course, to commence the first use of my camera, I had to buy Kodak Portra 400 film (duh). Yes I know, I love Portra but tbh I love Agfa Vista more in VSCO. When I shoot in digital I like to achieve the film look p.s. I love editing photos and I have this thing whereby I love guessing types of films heh. 

For my own discipline, I will include my manual settings for each photo :) I'm still new to shooting in full manual so do give any feedback if you happen to chance upon this post.

Photography language time (ahem...drum rolllllll):

1) I metered this to ISO 200 = I am pulling the film and overexposing it by 1 stop. Why? Because when I set my camera to have a lower ISO rate than my film (ISO 400), I am telling my camera that the film is less sensitive to light (Higher ISO means more sensitive to light), so the camera exposes my film to more light.

Wow Maycey u remembered these? Actually no, I just plagiarised this but rephrased and changed the ISO number. Just kidding, I test myself on and off now on the settings lol. 

2) I'm using this app called Lightmeter Pro. My camera has a light meter as well (it shows the aperture reading when I've set my shutter speed).  

3) I developed my photos at Whampoa Colour Centre (thank you hehe). They sent the soft copies really fast too I’ve never clicked on an email this quick :’) The colours turned out so pretty! 

Ok enough talking, here are the photos :) 

F2.8, 1/30

F/4, 1/250

F5.6, 1/2

F2.8, 1/60

F4, 1/30

F4, 1/250

F2.8, 1/125

F1.8, 1/60

F4, 1/125

F4, 1/125

F4, 1/250

F2.8, 1/30

F16, 1/500

F11, 1/125

F16, 1/250

F1.8, 1/8

F8-11, 1/125

F8, 1/125

F16, 1/250

F16, 1/250

F16, 1/250

F8, 1/250

F11-16, 1/125

F5.6-8, 1/125

F5.6-8, 1/125

F8-11, 1/125

F8-11, 1/125

F8-11, 1/125

F8, 1/125

F8, 1/125

F2.8, 1/30

Hehe thank you for reading my post :) I get very happy when I talk about photography. I'm still using trial and error for my settings so hopefully I'll get better at shooting in manual. There were light leaks in 2 photos and I don’t know man should I be concerned ><

Ohya I have this thing that I want to know yet I don't want to know - does film processing take place in a red darkroom like those in tv shows lol. DON'T TELL ME I WANT TO FIND OUT MYSELF. But also I don't wanna know HAHA more fun that way. Like a mystery~ Maybe one day I'll also get to shoot a Leica camera haha ok stop dreaming. 

Ok that's all for now!!! 

With love,

Maycey