CineStill 400D...1 Year Later

A New Photography Tradition

Where it all began…

2022 was a big year for film shooters. The release of a few new stocks helped to mitigate our disappointment at the news of price increases and turned our frowns upside down (for a short while at least).  

2022 was also the year I showed in my first ever exhibition, and sold over 100 prints via my online store and CineStill’s 400D film had a big role to play in all of this. 

Of course a film stock is, just a film stock, and it’s more about the photographer and what you choose to do with it. But I kind of feel like 400D has some magical quality to it and 2023 has seen me create more fun things with this stock…

Getting to collaborate with CineStill on this reel was a huge moment for me and i love this snapshot series they are doing with analog shooters all over the world so definitely follow along on their IG so you can see different artists bring CineStill to life. 

I have associations with film stocks based on mood, vibe and previous work made with them. It becomes like word association for me…Vibrant reds I reach for Ektar, Neon lights I reach for 800t, feeling fancy I load Portra 400, 90’s vibes I’m all about Kodak Ultramax… then we have 400D, which when paired with classic cars is a match made in analog heaven and something I revisited again recently at a local classic car festival.

The reds really sing on 400D!

People in Lucy Lumen’s photos??

So I am a non people shooter, a shooter who is waiting for people to get out of the frame, not walk into it. Something has changed though…

I’m not sure if it’s due to the photography work I have been doing, which has required more focus on including patrons to illustrate the vibe and presence of a venue or just the natural evolution of a photographer who starts to dabble in other genres for fear of stagnation or boredom.

Whatever the reason is, I can tell you whole heartedly that I felt a lot more drawn to the people at this event than I did the cars. Not to say that I don’t LOVE the cars shots but I just felt myself wanting more of a challenge and a dynamic shooting experience at this busy event.

The shots I’m talking about are pictured below and if you would like to see the full set from last years classic car show as well as the winners from this year you can do so over on my print shop! I have just spring cleaned (even though it’s winter here) my whole shop and for the next few weeks it’s just focusing on this brand new work shot on 400D as I am really proud of it and feel it could be a new chapter for me in what I offer over there. Feedback welcome!

So What’s Next?

I felt like I learned a lot while shooting this annual festival of nostalgia and I’m excited to attend again with more 400D locked and loaded.

I did apply to be a paid photographer at this event but I’m not sure if I am capturing enough of the context of the event here and instead being a little too Martin Parr with my up close and personal framing. I am on a mission for them to hire me though and hell bent on convincing them that I am the perfect person for the job.

If you missed the first video I made about 400D you can watch it below and that way you will get the full story and see last years effort in comparison to this one.

I have left a few shots from last year up on the print shop as I feel they may compliment the others nicely if you were in the market for more than one print to adorn your walls at home or work.

I am currently planning a video that goes into more detail about my process of shooting this event and how I found cleaner, less busy looking compositions at such a packed festival. I’m excited to share that with you all and I appreciate anyone who support my work by purchasing a print or just reading these words. It means the world to me!

Until next time,

Love Lucy xx

All Images pictured and more are available over on my print shop!