“Because I know that time is always time
And place is always and only place
And what is actual is actual only for one time
And only for one place”
-T. S. Eliot
While I love the immediacy of digital images, there’s something special about getting rolls of film developed.
The first two photos were taken with my “new” vintage Seagull during my last trip to Hong Kong. I’m secretly excited about the oddities of this old Shanghainese camera, and currently working on a new roll!
The rest were taken around N.Y., D.C., and Shanghai on an old disposable camera and my Lomo Colorsplash.
You can imagine how disoriented I felt when I took my first peek at the negatives. I kept asking myself, “When did I see a horse in Shanghai? Or is that New York in August?”
P.S. I have a hair appointment first thing tomorrow morning, and I am so nervous! The last time I got a haircut in China, I came home nearly in tears (mostly exhausted from communication mishaps because I didn’t speak any Mandarin yet). Earlier today I successfully made an appointment on the phone, so we’ll see how things go tomorrow! I’ll post photos along with my Muffin Monday Mix. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
15 Comments
Zeolite
June 5, 2011 at 6:33 pmI love the horse and the one right before it! Also, when did you see a horse?
Sewon
June 6, 2011 at 6:43 amI saw a horse in New York around August. It was just hanging out on the sidewalk…
deborah
June 5, 2011 at 8:55 pmperhaps bring a picture for a reference when you get a haircut?
Sewon
June 6, 2011 at 7:29 amI think the hardest part is not expressing the type of hairdo I want, but small talk. People want to chat with you about things other than just hair, and that’s the big challenge!
Lindsey
June 6, 2011 at 12:21 amI really love that first photo! Good luck with your hair cut, things will turn out okay! :]
Sewon
June 14, 2011 at 1:01 amThank you! I took so many more photos around that neighborhood. They disappeared for some reason.. :/
Omar
June 6, 2011 at 2:37 amI like that T.S. Eliot quote. I think it captures some of the spontaneity and the beautiful fleetingness which compels one to take photos. Especially using film, which, in its permanence, seems somehow more uncontrollable and ephemeral.
Sewon
June 13, 2011 at 11:58 pmPerfectly put. Truth to be told, I lost half of my roll for some reason (accidental exposure, I think) and another one completely blank when I got it back. It was this strange of feeling like I knew what would have been on there, but nothing remained of it. Uncontrollable and beautifully fleeting!
Chelsea
June 6, 2011 at 4:09 amAll of your photos are amazing! They are so inspiring. I love your blog, you are so talented!
Xx
http://chelseasgirl.wordpress.com/
http://theidea-generator.com/
Amelia
June 6, 2011 at 11:50 amWow, those are some amazing pictures. Good luck on your haircut!
Estelle
June 6, 2011 at 1:59 pmThe second picture is amazing! I love your seagull pictures…
Sewon
June 14, 2011 at 1:08 amI’m working on a second roll now. I can’t wait to see how these turn out. :]
Amber
June 6, 2011 at 5:24 pmThese are pretty cool photos. I love the camera affect. Any idea where I can get a camera like that?
I really love Asian fashion/culture. I’m American, and I’ve always wanted to visit both Hong Kong and Shanghai. Have you been to the States before? Really cool blog…I love the dress you’re wearing in your profile picture. Do you have bloglovin? I’ll have to track you down!
xx.
Good luck with your haircut!
Eileen
June 7, 2011 at 6:09 pmThe photos are breath-taking.
I hope your haircut went well! 🙂 I find it nerve wrecking myself when I get my hair cut on foreign land, especially since my hair is so different! puffy (soft like kids hair) and curly as hell. I reemember when I went to Chinatown and I had to stress that when my hair shrinks – it REALLY shrinks (when my hair dries, that is). Disaster. The guy had no clue how to cut my hair. PERIOD. It’s not just the communication problem for me, sadly.
ANNA
July 23, 2011 at 11:06 pmamazing images,
my favourite is the one with the horse. seems so untypical. lovely blog btw, im here the first time!
blink^