LIFE.FRAMED is an analog journey, recorded entirely on my MINOLTA X-700, which coincidentally, is as old as the photographer.

The photographs in this 3-part series are taken on various types of film: colour, black and white and colour shift negative.

Film as medium is a rather strange choice in today’s age of abundant technology, where even a phone camera can create professional-grade work. 

But to me, digital cameras don’t have the ingredients that make film photography so extraordinary.

There are only (up to) 36 exposures in a roll. Such limited resources result in an incredibly selective attitude. Not taking 50 almost identical photos of a single situation, going through them quickly and then taking 50 more - which is often the case with digital, but one, or (if the subject is incredibly valuable or the photographer is feeling generous) maybe two shots and moving on. Not knowing if you’ve even gotten the settings right.

After living in suspense for what sometimes could be weeks, you finally receive the developed scans and get to see your work for the first time, which feels nothing short of a Christmas morning. This is the moment you get to surprise (sometimes even delight!) yourself with one, or (on a great roll!), maybe even two good photographs.

This is also the moment when you tell yourself - if I only stood 2 centimeters to the left, or reduced the aperture by one f-stop, or waited just a second longer before pressing the shutter button - this would’ve been a brilliant shot! So you sigh, frown, imagine what could’ve been and move on.

There are no redos. No chances to change or fix what’s already been done.

Much like life.

It is a single moment of solitude, where it’s just you, the viewfinder, and the freedom to frame the world in any way you choose. And every once in a while, the outcome of it is magic.