Teigan C J

Teigan C J - 16.7.2024

 

"This is a self-portrait I took on my Praktica BX20 SLR, taken on Ilford XP2 film".

Teigan is 21 years old, and is the partner of one of Jens' previous film study victims, oops users, Joseph W. 

Where are you from originally?

I’m originally from North Wales. I came to Sheffield three years ago for my undergraduate degree which I have just completed and I don’t intend on leaving this  city any time soon! I love it here!

What's your favourite film camera Teigan?

Got to say my Praktica BX20 as it was my first ever film camera, and it is still the one I use the majority of the time.

(Jen - Read more about this camera model here).

Teigans first Image 

Teigan took this shot on her Praktica BX20, which had a roll of expired Kodak Ultramax 400 ISO film in.  

"This is a photo from my first ever roll of film in July 2023, it’s one of my favourites because I remember how long it took me to actually take the photo. The cat was really friendly and kept trying to come up and nuzzle my legs which made it especially difficult to focus on in order to take the photo. I remember when I got the scans back and I was so genuinely impressed with myself that I had managed to get the cat in focus!" *(1)

Did your childhood influence your photography interest now in any way Teigan?

If I’m being perfectly honest, photography was never something that seriously interested me until a few months ago when I really started to get into film after shooting a few rolls last year. I’ve enjoyed taking photos on my phone here and there but never really done anything with them or considered them anything special.

In 2020 I got a Fuji Instax mini 11 (Jen- an instant film camera similar to Polaroid cameras), and went through quite a few film packets before I got quite bored of it with not being able to go out much due to COVID. Around that same time my dad had been slowly piecing together a Mamiya RB67 which he showed me bits and pieces of here and there. But my interest in film photography didn’t really take off until my partner *(2) gave me my trusty Praktica BX20 SLR film camera last year *(3).

Image 2

Camera: Praktica BX20 SLR camera

Film: Ilford HP5

"This was taken on a trip to Aldeburgh beach with my partner and his family when I was still very new to film photography. It was my first time shooting black and white which I haven’t really delved back into - and I would really like to try out again as this is definitely one of my top favourite shots I have ever taken."

Teigan, what are your favourite 35mm films?

My favourite at the moment is Kodak Colorplus 200. I’ve got quite the collection of a load of films sitting in the fridge at the moment yet to try out, so this may change once I shoot something new! But, I really think you can’t go wrong with Colorplus, it looks good and it’s cheap, what more could you want! *(4)

Image 3

Camera: Nikon L35TW AF compact auto camera

Film: Harman Phoenix

"This was my first time trying Harman Phoenix film and I’m really glad I tried it out in a point and shoot with flash as I found out very quickly how much I loved the vibe." 

Image 4

Camera: Nikon L35TW AF compact auto camera

Film: Kodak Ultramax 400

"This was taken on a little trip back home, a photo of Llandudno pier. This is sadly one of the last good photos I got on my Nikon L35TW AF before it stopped working." *(5)

Image 5

Camera: Minolta X500 SLR camera

Film: Lomography LomoChrome Purple 100-400

"This was my first time trying out LomoChrome Purple, and I have another roll in the fridge waiting to be used again. Not only was it really fun to watch vibrant greens turn into fun purples, I also loved how saturated the reds and oranges went. I think next time I use this film, I’d really like to focus on the way the purple and reds contrast with one another."

What's your prediction for the future and longevity of film use Teigan?

I think film photography is one of those things we will continue to see a resurgence of throughout the future. It’s an opportunity for younger generations, who have grown up through the beginning of the digital age, to reconnect with the roots of photography. I think any previous popular items that involve getting creative are bound to resurface at one point or another. However, I think there is definitely something to be said about being able to hold a piece of physical media. Living in such a digitally domineering age, being able to look back at your negatives and see little glimpses of the photos you’ve taken is really cool.

Image 6

Camera: Praktica BX20 SLR

Film: Kodak ColorPlus 200

"Another first here, this time using Colorplus, which quickly became a favourite of mine. I love how good it looks on a bright sunny day and I really like the way the light caught the lens in this photo of some foxgloves."

What cameras have you used and how would you rate them?

My first film camera and the one I still primarily use is my Praktica BX20; I like it because it is super simple to use and it has helped me learn what I know now about photography - I’d rate it 10/10 as I am quite biased!

I once borrowed my partner's Minolta X500 which was fun to try out but I wasn’t a fan of how quiet it was when compared to my Praktica - I’d rate it a 6/10 *(6).

In terms of point and shoots I’ve tried the Nikon L35TW AF and the Samsung Slim Zoom 145, both of which I have enjoyed in terms of simplicity, and the handy autofocus! - I’d rate them both an 8/10.

Finally, my most recent purchase, a Mamiya 645 - which I’d rate a 9/10, minus points only because of how awkward it is to carry being so heavy and all.

Image 7

Camera: Samsung Slim Zoom 145

Film: Kodak ColorPlus 200

"Another cat photo? Yes, I met this little one in the Botanical Gardens,and they were more than happy to sit pretty for many photos! This was also my first time using my Samsung point and shoot, and I am very pleased with it". *(7)

Image 8

Camera: Mamiya 645

Film: Kentmere Pan 400

"I'm Starting to realise that these series of photos are a whole lot of firsts with both film stocks and cameras! This was taken on a photowalk in Liverpool, and was my first time trying out my Mamiya 645, which I am very pleased with how the photos came out, however, it was awfully heavy to carry around. I think my next big camera purchase will have to be a nice camera bag!"

Your music of choice?

I’m a big fan of a whole range of music, from 'Chappell Roan' to 'Siouxsie and the Banshees', from 'Take That' to 'David Bowie', or from 'ABBA' to 'Guns and Roses'. I’ve got many music playlists for all different kinds of moods and genres. However, I’ve got to say the 80s New Romantic/Goth scene holds a special place in my heart as it’s what my parents played around me a lot while I was growing up. *(8)

Image 9

Camera: Samsung Slim Zoom 145

Film: Kodak UltraMax 400

"To break up the couple cat photos, this is one of my most recent photos of my dog back home. Her name is Lapis and she is a Border Collie/Kelpie mix and she is absolutely nuts for her ball!"

Your favourite local eat out place?

'Mr Miyagi’s' on Division Street is a solid favourite of mine, it was one of the first places I had a meal out in Sheffield and I’ve enjoyed going back to it ever since.

Favourite films?

In true Letterboxd style my top four are: The Amazing Mr Blunden (1972), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), When Harry Met Sally (1989), and Ghost (1990)

Image 10

 

Camera: Praktica BX20 SLR

Film: Kodak Gold 200

"This was taken inside of Melford Hall in Suffolk, I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out as I didn’t have a lot of light. But, I managed to keep my hands steady and it resulted in what I’d describe as a very cosy image, that was luckily not blurry at all!" *(9)

Would you like to share a link to your social media Teigan?

I share the majority of my photos on my instagram account.

My photography Instagram account is @narkissistonfilm.

Jens thoughts

Dearest Gentle Reader,

Apart from watching lots of 'Bridgerton, I'm also following Teigans Instagram account, and love seing the images she posts. Looking forward to seing a progression of photo/camera skills as she gets more experienced in photography using film cameras. Under the excellent tuition of partner Joseph W, the secretary of the 'Sheffield University Photographic Society', can we expect great things to come? Yes!

No pressure there then Teigan or Joseph!

*(1) This looks so much like the Hickmott road cat, Poppy. Except that if it was Poppy, you would be being hissed at, spat at, and having your legs gouged by sharp claws.

*(2) Joseph W, a previous contributor to my film user study. 

*(3) Joseph told me that it was his least favourite camera which is why you ended up with it... ha ha... joking, joking! What a s..t stirer I can be lol! Ooo, the POWER. mwahahah....might become the 'Lady Whistledown' of local film photographers!

*(4) Yeah, l agree. Read more about it here.

*(5) Sad, but this model came out in 1985, so it's common for them to be pretty tired and on their last camera legs, unlesss they've been rarely used. Read more about this camera model here.

*(6) Had to laugh about this (in a nice way), as the Praktica is noisier because of its simpler 'cruder' engineering, compared to the quieter more advanced mechanics of the Minolta SLR. I am also biased as I have a Minolta X700!

*(7) There has been a 'Botanical Gardens' cat around for years! I'm sure it must be about 100 years old! Read more here.

*(8) My music of choice too, except that I heard them all first time round when I was in my teens and twenties. How old am I eek lol!

*(9) I love the atmosphere you captured here Teigan!