The timeless essence of a moment, preserving stories and cautionary tales in a frozen visual for future generations to come, echoes the wisdom and lessons woven into each frame, telling the story of how to be, and not to be.
Film photography, as viewed through the lens of lore and storytelling, embodies a profound connection with the world that digital photography often lacks. Shooting with film is a different experience, a sacred dance with the spirits, a communion with the land, and a celebration of the timeless stories that flow through this ancient, ever-new world.
I would say, photography on film, much like the oral traditions of storytelling, is a tangible form of cultural preservation. It mirrors the reverence for the land, the creatures, and the spirits, echoing the deep-seated belief that everything in the world has a spirit and a story. When one captures an image on film, it is an act of recognition, of acknowledging the presence and significance of the subject. This is similar to the way stories, passed down through generations, acknowledge the essence of the land, the hero ancestors, the animals, and the people.
Like standing in front of rock art, or a carving from thousands of years ago, it is a tactile reminder of the connections that exist between all things. When we choose film, we choose a way of storytelling that honors the past, celebrates the present, and ensures that the voices of the land and its spirits are never forgotten.
