I <3 film

I love film. I like taking photos with my camera, and I bet many of you either embrace film photography or would like an opportunity to try it out.

**Note: no disposable cameras. Not that I don't love them, but for this swap you MUST take them with a real camera. Don't have a film camera? Bug your friends, sister, brother, relatives! I'm sure they'd let you borrow one for a week!

Snap shot of what you need to do:

ONE: Take photos using 35mm film. Take photos with your film cameras. I know there's some fancy cameras out there, but 35mm is the easiest film to develop for most people.

Try to take as interesting photos as possible, but don't get hung up if you're a beginner and are afraid of things being too under/over exposed.

TWO: Put film in canister and mail For this swap, you're NOT going to be mailing developed photos. You're going to be mailing the FILM itself. I thought about mailing the developed photos, but then I realized a few reasons why I think mailing the UNDEVELOPED FILM in the canister would be the best.

a. You're your own worst critic. You might see your photos and not like them, or think they are awful. This way you just take them and your partner develops them and gets to tell you they are awesome.

b. Everyone has different preferences for photo developing. Matt, glossy. Depending on what I want to use the photographs for, I might opt for a higher/lower quality print. You can also opt for the 24hr/1hr/or later service depending on what you want/want to pay.

c. It's more exciting! You might just flip randomly through photos someone sends you, but you're invested in these ones. You're waiting, anticipating the outcome.

d. Don't have to wait for processing times on your partner's end. It's CLICK, WIND, SEND. BAM. RECEIVE.

THREE: Write a wee note. Maybe about a page or a side of a sheet of paper just describing

1. The photos you've taken if you remember what you took, or say that you don't remember if you don't!

2. Your level of experience with film, beginner, advanced, in between.

3. The camera type/model you used

4. Something you think that you did well while taking photos and something that you think you could improve on.

5. Anything else you'd like to say.

   FOUR: Receive and develop! Get the film and send it to be developed! When I use film I always tell wherever I'm getting it developed that I want ALL the photos, even the ones that didn't "turn out" because I know that they tend to discard those ones when there can be really interesting mistakes.

   FIVE: Rate and Link! Rate your partner for the swap AFTER you've got the photos developed. Ratings of course for the completed swap not for how much you liked/didn't like the photos. You'll want to scan TWO of your favourites, and ONE that maybe didn't turn out, but that you still like. In total scan THREE, and link them in your comment.

If you don't have access to a scanner, some places where you are getting them developed have the option for digital prints on a CD.

At the VERY VERY VERY least you could take decent pictures of the pictures. This is an art in itself. If you opt for taking pictures of the picture then: a. Take them somewhere bright and make sure there's as little glare as possible and no need of using flash. b. Make sure you can accurately see the photo.

There are many ways you can upload your photo such as on a blog, flickr, photobucket, imageshack. Whatever is easiest for you.

FINAL NOTES: Keep photos tasteful. It's sender's choice, but no one wants to have an interesting conversation with the ladies at Walmart about the nudity they didn't know was on the roll of film. I'm sure they would think you were making it up.

That being said, if you're really keen on taking artistically nude photos, and you think your partner would be game, message them about it. But nobody wants that kind of a surprise. :)

TO JOIN: I almost forgot this part. To join you must have at least 4 mailed level 3 swaps. Post cards, e-mail swaps don't count. If you're super keen and really want to do this swap, I may let you in if you've have had some experience with level 3 swaps, and can convince me you should be in it. Not saying no to newbies, but you're going to really have to convince me. :)

Rules are only so strict because it would be a difficult swap to angel for many. I'm angeling for a maximum of two. If anyone else would like to angel (not that there should be a problem with this :P), let me know.

Any other comments, questions and concerns please ask!