I’ve been lucky to spend a lot of time in the US, thanks to my job in New York. As a software engineer in a very technical industry, photography has been for a few years my escape into exploring something more artistic. Pushed by one of my best friends, a renowned photographer, I dove into photography. After a few years with digital cameras, my step-father, who is like a father to me, made me the happiest by offering me his old film camera: a Canon AE-1 that he brought back from Japan in the 80’s while navigating on commercial ships.
This camera is now my loyal companion when road tripping across the US. I use it to capture the dreamy scenes that seem like frozen in time that I encounter. Even in the streets of New York, old cars from decades ago can appear at a corner of a street. I really like the fact that you can find symbols of America a bit everywhere.
While I came back to live in France, in Paris, my job allows me to come back to New York every few months. And every time, you can be sure that I try to go at least once to Coney Island, in the south of Brooklyn. I love this place. It’s a mix of all the craziness you can fin in New York(ers), and it feels like it hasn’t move much since the 1950’s.
In summer, there is always something weird or fun going on, and the rest of the year, you can still feel all that excitement in the air, even if the place is way more empty.
Colors hold an essential part in my work, as you can see in my photos. And Coney Island is literally a festival of colors.
Kodak Portra 400 has been my loyal film so far. I really like its tones and grain, and its professional quality that ensures me a high resolution when scanned, and printed in large format. I had the chance to see my work exhibited, with large prints, so quality was very important.
Only few people know it, but if you walk around 20 minutes west, along the ocean, you end up in Brighton Beach, the Russian neighborhood. Everything there is written in Russian, in the stores, on newspapers. Locals definitely have a particular style. That’s the beauty of New York: a melting pot of different populations, at the same time mixed up, but who also knew how to keep their own identity.
Once a year, I try to hit the road in non-touristy states across the country.
Last summer, I went to Alabama and Mississippi. I even stopped in Brooklyn but in Mississippi! Just the time to send a letter to myself with the stamp of this tiny (almost ghost) town.
If you avoid the large highways, that is when you encounter hidden gems. The US is full of towns where time seems to have stopped since people started talking about the American Dream decades ago.
Overall, the Canon AE-1 is a very handy camera that I am able to carry with me everywhere. It’s discreet, and even if it didn’t cost the premium price of some cameras in the 80’s (or even today), I can’t complain about the quality of the results it got me so far.
It is also easy to learn how to use it, for any photographer trying film photography for the first time.
I have no intention to switch anytime soon, especially given the sentimental value this particular camera has for me.
I hope you liked this sneak peek on the road of the US by my side. You can see more of my work and photo series on my website, or travel with me via my Instagram.
30 Comments
Graham Coad
January 12, 2020 at 11:05 amThis is what I like. The camera, film, lens and similar type reviews are interesting from a technical point of view, but posts like this one that also show images from places with different cultures from mine are particularly satisfying
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 11:10 amThank you so much Graham for your thoughtful comment on my work 🙂
Julian Higgs
January 12, 2020 at 11:15 amLovely shots of the lesser seen parts of the US. Great work.
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 11:20 amThank you Julian! Really appreciate it.
JM
Rogier
January 12, 2020 at 11:30 amHi JM,
The film here looks nothing like Portra 400, all the colors are so saturated.. is this from scanning, a deliberate choice in lightroom or did you pull it a stop or two?
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 11:36 amHi Rogier,
Thank you for your comment. You have a great eye 🙂 Indeed, I like to play with colors by pulling a bit when shooting, as you mentioned, and during post-processing.
Here is another photo series dedicated to plays on colors that surround us: http://www.jmsaponaro.com/photo-series/the-photographer-palette
Pierre-Alix Favillier
January 12, 2020 at 11:37 amLovely shots, I would have sworn you were shooting ektar100 though! Those yellow and reds really pop like they do with ektar.
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 12:09 pmThank you very much Pierre! I sometimes shoot with Ektar 100 indeed but not for these 🙂 You have a great eye!
petergreyphotography
January 12, 2020 at 5:01 pmWow! Great photo’s! I love the colours, the boldness of them, I love the compositions and you daring not to be shy with a (very) bright exposure.
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 5:20 pmThank you so much Peter! So happy to read such encouraging feedback about my work. I post more of my photo series on my Instagram if you want to see more 🙂 http://www.instagram.com/jm.saponaro
Ron Scibilia
January 12, 2020 at 5:19 pmCamera aside…great photos. Kudos.
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 5:23 pmThank you very very much Ron! If you want to see more of my photos: http://www.instagram.com/jm.saponaro
Why “camera aside”? I found the Canon AE-1 very versatile and powerful for its category. Obviously it’s not playing in the same league as other cameras. May I ask what cameras you praise in 35mm? I’m curious 🙂
Scott Edwards
January 12, 2020 at 8:33 pmSoooo good, so much vibrant fun! Thank you for sharing!
jmsaponaro
January 12, 2020 at 8:36 pmThank you so much Scott for your warm comment. I’m glad you like my work.
JM
Tim
January 12, 2020 at 10:15 pmThe colors are amazing!!!!
jmsaponaro
January 13, 2020 at 10:39 amThank you so much Tim! 🙂
Des McSweeney
January 12, 2020 at 11:07 pmI shoot mainly black and white but these are spectacular photos JM, I may have to rethink ;-). Bravo !!!!
jmsaponaro
January 13, 2020 at 10:40 amThank you very very much 🙂 Really appreciate your awesome feedback.
Daniel
January 12, 2020 at 11:51 pmGreat photos, well done 🙂
I recommend you try reversible film though, if you haven’t. Seems you like saturated colors, velvia / provia /ektachrome would fit nicely with your style.
jmsaponaro
January 13, 2020 at 10:41 amHi Daniel! Thank you so much. You are right, I should explore other films. I only have tried Portra 160/400/800 and Ektar 100.
I’ll definitely try the Velvia & Provia ones. I’m sad Ektachrome is so expensive 🙁
Dawid
January 13, 2020 at 9:21 amWOW! Really cool photos! Very motivating!!! Thank you! 🙂
jmsaponaro
January 13, 2020 at 10:45 amThank you so much Dawid! If you want to see more of my work, I post everything on http://www.instagram.com/jm.saponaro
Dhanesh
January 13, 2020 at 11:51 amVery nice compositions and the saturated colors suite the shots very well. Thanks for sharing.
jmsaponaro
January 13, 2020 at 3:50 pmThank you very very much Dhanesh for your kind comment about my work 🙂
Andrew Lodge
January 14, 2020 at 1:16 amThis is some of the best photography that I’ve ever seen on film or digital.
jmsaponaro
January 14, 2020 at 12:25 pmWoaw. Thank you so so much Andrew. You made my day. Really.
If you want to follow more of my work: http://www.instagram.com/jm.saponaro
tom
January 14, 2020 at 9:17 pmYour eye for colour reminds me of Martin Parr’s work.
jmsaponaro
January 15, 2020 at 9:59 amWoaw I’m flattered of the comparison. Thank you so much Tom!
Nigel Haycock
January 15, 2020 at 11:59 pmWow! I love these pictures, as you say colour sure is a thing in your photos. Makes me want to grab some Portra and get out there with it; although I think my style is more the muted natural cast that Portra provides 🙂
Jamie W
June 22, 2020 at 3:07 amGreat post and shots, makes me crave my next US road trip!