My Favorite Film Cameras | Stoke-Ness
I feel so much to be thankful for.
As winter starts in earnest and 2021 is just around the corner, it’s hard to feel ungrateful for making it through this year with my joy still intact. If we believe everything we read, then we should be complaining about 2020, but I’ll bet if you are reading this then you still have access to inspiration, knowledge and communication with the people you love the most. We live during incredible times and if we can step back and see that, I think we all will find more joy and excitement regardless of what fate sends our way.
In this month’s issue, I share my favorite film cameras, why reading is the ultimate life hack and a new video about, of all things, gratefulness.
Be stoked,
Isaac
Photo/Video Technique
Photo by Lilly Rum
Reading
I know reading is hard to find time for. With how much time our phones take from us and how little focus each of us possess (I’m including myself in “us”) reading seems like an impossible task. If you are a reader of this newsletter, I am going to assume you are a curious person that is interested in learning new things. You probably wish you read more already but lack the motivation or habit. I’ve found it’s the fastest way to learn more about creative work.
Here’s what I do to read more than 25 books a year.
Audiobook. Some folks say this isn’t reading and while they might be technically correct, it doesn’t matter. I can “read” a book while driving, doing dishes, riding my bike or walking. It makes all of those activities more enjoyable and I learn so much in the process. If you haven’t audio booked much before the Libby app and a library card will get you started for free. If you want to make it even more convenient, Audible is $15 a month.
I follow reading lists of my favorite authors and thinkers. Reading is more enjoyable when you don’t have to wade through a bad book. Learning what other readers are enjoying and learning from will speed up the process of finding good books.
Inventor and writer Lin Yutang on the magic of reading:
"Compare the difference between the life of a man who does no reading and that of a man who does. The man who has not the habit of reading is imprisoned in his immediate world, in respect to time and space. His life falls into a set routine; he is limited to contact and conversation with a few friends and acquaintances, and he sees only what happens in his immediate neighborhood. From this prison there is no escape.
But the moment he takes up a book, he immediately enters a different world, and if it is a good book, he is immediately put in touch with one of the best talkers of the world. This talker leads him on and carries him into a different country or a different age, or unburdens to him some of his personal regrets, or discusses with him some special line or aspect of life that the reader knows nothing about...
Now to be able to live two hours out of twelve in a different world and take one's thoughts off the claims of the immediate present is, of course, a privilege to be envied by people shut up in their bodily prison."
Get a jump on your new year’s resolution and start reading now. Here is my reading list.
Gear
Film Cameras and Film
I know you probably want a film camera and I think there are so many good reviews that go into detail about the best cameras. If you want to casually pick one up here are a few I love and some of my favorite film types.
Canon AE-1 Program: My first film camera and most peoples first film camera. It’s bombproof, takes great photos and with an upgraded lens, it looks so good. I happen to be selling mine Here if you want to pick it up a Christmas gift for you or someone else.
Olympus Stylus Epic MJUII point and shoot. It’s widely know as the best affordable film point and shoot. See a video my friend Joel Hyponnen made about it Here.
Canon Elan 7. This body will fit new Canon EF mount lenses from the DSLR you probably already own. It’s my favorite film camera because of just how good the images are and doesn't cost much if you already have the lenses. See the cameras on Ebay Here.
For film, I keep it basic and Kodak Portra 400 and Kodak Color Plus 200. The portrait is better in good light and cloudy situations and the Color Plus is my go to in mid day, late am and early evening.
Music I'm Diggin'
Bulletproof by FARR
This is song is a cover of English artist La Roux’s song, but you wouldn’t know it at first listen. It adds so much soul to the song that it feels more like an original than the La Roux version. If you need a mellow pick me up while you are getting your Christmas shopping done, this is the perfect song for it.
Listen to it on Spotify Here
Videos, Movies, and TV
My Last Ride
I have to give my bike back to Bear Claw bicycles and show you a surprise about my old neighborhood.
Give it a watch.
Reads
The Big Burn by Timothy Egan
This book was recommended to me by my sister, Michone. We share a love of reading incredible history books.
This book will change the way you think about wildfires with a view of how humans changed how they reacted to wildfires during one of the largest fires ever recored in 1910. It follows a host of characters including Teddy Roosevelt and is written in a way that will have you leaning forward in your seat with anticipation.
Get the book Here
Be stoked and have a great month,
Isaac
This newsletter, my photography and my videos are all free, but not cheap. If you want to help me continue to make things you can buy me virtual coffee.
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