Dwayne Steinle founded Dwayne's Photo in 1956..... the year I was born. Dwayne's Photo is the last remaining slide film developing lab in the entire world. The last role of slide film I shot was developed in Dwayne's Photo lab about 15 years ago. With the announcement in June that Kodak was retiring their Kodachrome line, Dwayne's Photo recently announced that they would no longer be developing slide film in their shop after December of 2010.
For those of us who grew up carefully taking each picture with slide film, waiting and waiting and waiting for that elusive perfect shot so as to not waste any of the precious 36 shots on a roll, this is a sad announcement and one that makes me feel my age. I remember saving my money so that I would have enough not just to buy a box of Kodachrome but also to develop it. I remember being excited every time I purchased a box wondering if this box would be the one to bring me that GREAT photo.
For those of you who have grown up "digital", you will never know the anticipation of waiting while your slides were being developed..... sometimes weeks of waiting. Hoping, hoping.... and then, usually being a little disappointed at the outcome, waited until you could buy your next roll and try your "luck" again. The learning process from roll to roll was slow but it was a process I thoroughly enjoyed!!!
(One of my last slide shots taken at my favorite place.)
Don't get me wrong... I LOVE digital. It's taken me awhile to get used to it. There's always something a bit lacking from the pictures..... warmth. Warmth was the appeal of a good slide shot and it's interesting that my new photoshop program has a "Slide Film Effect" adjustment! It helps some but it's still a bit lacking. And of course..... there is still the lingering snobbish factor... the one that believes that a truly "perfect" shot exists without the help of Photoshop!!
Years ago, when I first ventured into the world of digital, a professional photographer friend of mine gave me this simple, helpful advice... "shoot digital the same way you shoot slides"!! Hmmmm...... now what advice do we give the novice digital photographer..... what's the "mark" you aim for now.
In the words of Paul Simon......
Years ago, when I first ventured into the world of digital, a professional photographer friend of mine gave me this simple, helpful advice... "shoot digital the same way you shoot slides"!! Hmmmm...... now what advice do we give the novice digital photographer..... what's the "mark" you aim for now.
In the words of Paul Simon......
Kodachrome
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon (Canon) camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away.
You give us those nice bright colors
You give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world's a sunny day, oh yeah!
I got a Nikon (Canon) camera
I love to take a photograph
So Mama, don't take my Kodachrome away.
Thank you Dwayne's Photo!! Thanks Kodachrome!!! I'll miss you both!!
