Susan, that was definitely a great read, and promising. It was preciously the topic of discussion with our former principal of our school district two years ago. He and I sat down and talked about this very thing. I approached him about the idea of introducing this medium to the students and how to keep this format going at the school. While the current Art teacher did so, as previous ones have in the past....she more or less kept the light out for a long time in the darkroom due to the lack of interest by the students. In our area, shooting film, developing and printing it, are unheard of and absurd to these kids. With the exception of one or two. And it was those few who I talked with that inspired me enough to make a change and motivate the Photography class to shoot film once again. Medium Format film. Holga's.
I convinced the Principal to make a purchase thru Freestyle Photo. A purchase of 9 Holga's and a large number of film. XP2 to be exact. After some pleading and persuading, he eventually agreed that the Arts could use a magic stick. It will have been for the Photography Class that my friend, Mrs. Manilla, teaches each morning. A class of 12. A class I also volunteered for showing and teaching them how to use the Holga. The kids were stoked. And even more so after seeing my portfolio book with my toy camera work. They could not believe that a black cheapy plastic camera could make such wonderful art. Watch your mouf!! They were inspired.
While the current darkroom is clearly outdated, none to worry, they did manage to make some small changes during the course of the years with an enlarger. In the past, they mostly shot with 35mm cameras, these classes, and developed it with the powdered Dektol and so on. Good. I believe they've even went as far as developing some of the expired Kodak 120 film from years ago, shot in the Holga. A mistake on my part when ordering the C41 film. Oops. They don't have that chemical process to do so.
Two years later and her class still uses the Holga today. I stop by now and then and give advice and pats on backs and even give them theme based homework to shoot. I think the interest is indeed there. You just have to divert their attention long enough from the remote controls and other activities.
So in closing. PRAISE Freestyle for doing what they do for so many years. It would be neat to see them come up with "package deals" in the catalogs such as putting together set ups for schools such as this medium format, especially the Holga enlarger. Chemicals for developing and printing. And all of the necessary tools that are available for film photography alone. Not at cost, but as a special deal made only to school districts. A write off of course for Freestyle. Hahaha. Kidding. KEEP FILM ALIVE. I still purchase film and such from them, too.
I hope this made sense...it is sooo early in the am! Back to bed. Thanks again, Susan...
