My partner and I spend the last of 2022 and beginning of 2023 in New York. It was my first time back to NYC since I began shooting film at the end of 2017. I was so happy to return to a city that I love, to shoot film that I love, with the one that I love.
I’ve often admired medium format photographers. My friend Trev loaned me his Yashica A medium format camera last year and I was completely intimidated by it. I often tell people I’m not the most knowledgeable when it comes to settings for my film cameras. Usually I’m using the automatic or semi-manual mode, lining up the two dials in the view finder to make sure my exposure and f-stop/aperture are set correctly. But I don’t often pay attention to the numbers of the actual settings.
The ways of factoring in light, shutter speed, and aperture regularly throw me off. And with medium format, you really need to slow down. It’s not as likely that I’ll take an impulsive or in-the-moment shot with medium format. A lot of shooters use a tripod with medium format, and I can see why. It forces you to be more intentional and patient with the shot.
After my first roll of 120 came back and I felt irritated with the shots I got, I struggled to pick it back up again. I wanted to be good at it right away, and I definitely wasn’t. With only 12 shots per roll, but at the same price as a 35mm roll with 24-26 exposures, it is costly to mess up with 120mm film.
While up in Seattle recently I set the intention of jumping back into the world of medium format. I did some reading up, created a quick reference guide in my notes app, and gave it a shot.
I’m so pleased that I did. There’s so much for me to learn. This is one of the reasons I love film photography so much. I’m using a light meter app and paying closer attention to my surroundings, the camera’s settings, and the moment I capture the image. And I can’t wait to see where else this medium of photography takes me.
I’ve been spending a lot of time in Seattle lately. It’s a quick hour and a half plane ride to get up there. It’s ironic, actually, that I’m traveling to and from Seattle so often now. It was only a few months ago that I swore off going on dates or getting involved with anyone in the bay area any more. I found the hour and a half drive and the back and forth too challenging to feel like I could build a relationship with someone in the bay area.
And then my friend Chloe helped me with a silly little Tiktok, and here I am, totally smitten with my sweet they them in Seattle. Life is funny.
Before I went on my trip to Ireland I had many people tell me how much they love Galway. Some even said it’s their favorite area of Ireland. I was excited to end my trip there based on the reviews and input of others. I had originally booked just one Airbnb in Galway, but plans changed and I had to book another stay somewhat last minute. I found the Kinlay Hostel on Airbnb and booked it for the price. I had never stayed in a hostel before and was nervous about safety and security. When I arrived, most of those worries were quelled by the warm atmosphere and the other women in my shared room. I was lucky that everyone in my room was quiet and respectful.
One day I did a trip to the Cliffs of Moher. It was quite the experience, with our bus breaking down twice along the way. And to be honest, the cliffs themselves were kind of underwhelming. I think it was a combination of so many people being there so it felt crowded, and the fact that you cant really get close to the edge. I think my experience would have been different had I been at the base of the cliffs. That being said, looking back on the photos I am blown away at the majesty of it all.
Overall, I’m more of an east coast Ireland gal. I chalk that up to the fact that the Boylans are from a county on the east coast. Galway has some wonderful restaurants and pubs, little shops and activities. But I found myself enjoying Dublin much more than Galway.
I had the grand idea to not book the middle part of my Ireland trip, thinking I’d connect with locals in Dublin or Skerries and get their input on where I should go next. I also had a potential plan of renting a car to drive around Ireland in. But as soon as I took a taxi from the Dublin airport to my Airbnb I knew that was out of the question. It is in fact not as simple as just driving on the other side of the road.
I ended up taking the train from Dublin to Kilkenny and staying in a cute little Airbnb for a few nights. Kilkenny is much smaller than Dublin, and shops and restaurants closed much earlier than in Dublin. But I had some great moments there.
