Rachit Parikh - An Interview
- Carolanne Rose
- Jan 3, 2016
- 4 min read
Chances are that if you're a member of the 21st century with a smartphone, you'll have an instagram account or at the very least know if it. And if you've spent any time scrolling through the photos you'll know that there are A LOT of great photographers all over and sometimes all one needs is a sharp eye and a smart phone camera to capture it all. There are some of us though, who love to bring analogue photography to the 21st century and showcase our love for 35mm.
Instagram has become a great place for Photographers and amatures alike to congregate and network. Rachit Parikh (@filmy_pizza) is just one of the film photographers on instagram. Below is my interview with him:
Whats your story?
Born in India and moved to the U.S. in 2000 at age 10. Currently living in southern U.S. in Charlotte, NC and aching to move to a nice metropolitan city. I work full time as a biomedical engineer in the medical device field. When did you first find film?
I first found “film photography” in Nov 2013 on my 23rd birthday. I decided to buy a disposable camera as a joke to take to a Speakeasy jazz bar with my friends. Couple of days later the prints came back and I fell in love with the vintage quality of the photographs. What was your first film camera?
My first film camera was a used Konica c35 EF purchased from eBAY (I thought it was a pretty risky move). What do you shoot on now?
I mostly shoot with a Minolta X-370 SLR but I sometimes use an Agfa Isollette II, a Yashica Electro 35 G, and the aforementioned Konica c35 EF. I love vintage/used cameras and have yet to purchase a new camera. Favourite film?
Wow, such a tough question. For general shooting, I enjoy Kodak Portra 400 but I really enjoy some of the special effect films such as the Lomochrome Turquoise or the Cinestill brand films. My favorite roll so far has been the Lomochrome Turquoise. Favourite thing to take photos of?
I really love taking casual photos of friends or strangers in public places while I “people watch.” Who are you inspired by?
My beautiful friends! I know I can always count on them to look either very goofy or very beautiful. I try to feature them in as many of my photos as possible. What Instagram accounts are your favourite to follow?
@Seeblunted, @observethesun, @sin.analog Advice for new film photographers?
I don’t know if I’m in a place to give advice to new film photographers because I still have loads to learn. I would simply say don’t get discouraged if you go through a few rolls of film at first (there is a learning curve) and to keep practicing even though it’s such an expensive hobby. Below are some of Rachit's favourite shots!
Shot with Earl Grey B&W 100 ISO 35mm from Lomography shot on the Minolta X-370. This roll was my first attempt at B&W photography. This shot was taken in my home town of Columbia, SC during a visit to the market with two of my best friends. This is one of my favorites because the B&W film really highlights the geometric designs of and on the door and also I was able to feature my friends in the shot in a semi-discrete way.
Shot on the subway platform in NYC during a trip for the wedding my two of my best friends. I love this choice of film because it is the same emulsion material used for producing motion picture films. As a huge fan of movies and this film allows for beautiful cinematic effects. Additionally, it provides for another opportunity to feature my friends in this shot just days before their wedding.
Lomo Turquoise [with the X-370) taken on the rooftop of a condominium in downtown Atlanta, GA during a really foggy and overcast morning after attending a Rolling Stones concert. I really love this shot because oddly creates an ominous and magical tone [if those to combinations can exist together]. I was also happy with the slight accidental tilt of the camera that caused the door to look uneven, not to mention that the door itself was red in color but the nature of the film caused the color to shift to this deep sapphire color.
Earl Grey B&W 100 ISO. This is the ‘Thunder Road’ roller coaster at the Carowinds theme park in Charlotte, NC. I took the shot a couple of days before this wooden roller coaster was scheduled to be demolished after being active for almost 40 years.
Lomochrome Turquoise 35mm from Lomography shot on the Minolta X-370. This shot was taken in front of the modern museum in Columbia, SC. I love the combination of the contours captured in this photo. The circular rings of the modern art fountain contrasted really well with the straight edges of the glass windows in the background. If you have not noticed, I really dig clean lines.
To see more of Rachit's photos click on the following link to his instagram! @filmy_pizza
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