Easter Film

About a week ago, I found myself immersed in a nostalgic experience right here in my office. The day had been dedicated to sorting through various remnants of my photographic past. It was during this process of reorganization, after having moved my office, that I stumbled upon a treasure trove of camera paraphernalia—a collection of lenses, tripods, and of course, a plethora of cameras that I had accumulated over the years.

Amid this assortment, my eyes landed on a peculiar piece that has always captured my affection and frustration in equal measure—the quirky little Minolta 9000AF. This vintage camera, with its robust build and unique autofocus system, represented both the innovation of its time and the limitation of technology that has since been vastly improved upon.

Much to my amazement, nestled within its solid chassis was a curious artifact—a roll of Kentmere 100 film, partly used but forgotten. The mystery of its content set my mind racing. What images had I captured, and when? The intrigue was palpable.

Given that there were two exposures remaining, I decided to complete the roll last Friday. I sought scenes that felt in tune with the nostalgic theme that had permeated my day. The shutter release was a window back in time, a mechanical echo from the past.

Saturday morning greeted me with anticipation. Eager to uncover the hidden images, I set about developing the film, using 510Pyro at the recommended box speed. The methodical process of development was almost meditative, each step a small ritual in the revelation of memories captured on this unexpectedly discovered film roll.

I watched as the images slowly materialized on the negatives—snapshots in time, echoes of the past. And while the results were yet to be scanned and fully reviewed, this journey through my forgotten analog endeavor reminds me why photography, especially captured on film, is so magical. It’s not merely about recording moments; it’s about preserving them in a medium that can surprise you years later, with hidden gems just waiting to be rediscovered.

As it turns out, the film was from about this time last year. Luckily, there was a photograph on the roll of a local church. The royal cloth draped over the cross, as written about in a previous post, signified that this roll was from the Easter period of 2023. At that time, my wife, Deana, and I were not yet married. We got married on Earth Day last year.

The featured photo of this post is of my wife gazing out over the mountains of the upstate. I wonder what she was thinking at that time. Was she contemplating the future, pondering whether or not she should marry this goofball? I can’t say for sure, but I do find myself wondering. We have been married for almost a year. Indeed, it has been an adventure, brimming with memories etched into each day. We’ve shared laughter that filled rooms and comforted each other during moments of silence that needed no words. Through both great times and tough times, we’ve been inseparably united, two souls entwined by destiny and love.

She is my love and my greatest treasure in this crazy world. Deana, the name that dances on my tongue with the lightness of joy and the weight of immeasurable gratitude. That smile of hers, a radiant beam that cuts through the murkiness of any gloom, can rejuvenate my spirit with the simplest of glances.

A lot of women would have made a run for it when they found out that their new husband was going blind. But thankfully, my amazing wife has been my rock, my constant, my vigilant guiding star through these past few tumultuous months. It’s in these challenging times that you realize the true strength of the bonds you share. These are the moments when love is not just a feeling but an anchor, and partnership not merely a status but an action lived out daily.

God knew that we needed each other and brought us together. In times of doubt, in times when the world seems to spin on an unpredictable axis, it is this truth that remains unshaken. We were meant to be together – our paths interwoven into a beautiful tapestry of shared experiences, dreams, and aspirations.

With each passing day, my appreciation for her grows. As we approach a full year of marriage, my heart is full of hopes and wishes for the journey ahead. I love you, Deana Mae. With every beat of my heart and with every breath I take, I am so thankful for you.