Analogue Adventures: "Halation Harry" in Oslo 😅

Welcome to the second article in our new community-focused Analogue Adventures series! Following on from Nic in India, today we bring you Harry in Oslo. Enjoy some beautiful imagery, powerful inspiration, and amazing halation courtesy of Cinestill 800T...

Harry - thank you so much for sharing your experiences with the rest of the analogue community! First question nice and easy - how long have you been shooting film and how did you get started in the hobby?

I’ve been shooting film since my junior year of high school, which makes it almost ten years now. I first got into it because my high school was only about 20 miles from Rochester, New York, where Kodak is headquartered, so I would always see the Kodak building when driving through the area.

I then went to the University of Rochester for 4 years of college, where there was a statue of George Eastman on campus, so naturally I started taking photography classes and shooting film, especially since I had access to the darkroom and could use film for free whenever I wanted.

Umm film for free?! Best university EVER 😂 What’s your favourite camera to shoot with, and what kind of film do you usually use?

My favourite 35mm film camera is my Leica M6 TTL, which I usually pair with a 28mm Elmarit ASPH V1 and occasionally an Elmar-M 50mm f/2.8. For medium format, I love all three of my babies equally, the Fuji GF670, Pentax 6x7, and Mamiya RZ67. My favourite instant camera is the Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1.

Is this a flex? 100% yes 🙌

As for film it really depends on the season. In the summer, I enjoy shooting slide films like Ektachrome, Provia, and Velvia. The cost of colour positive film keeps me in check and makes better decisions instead of spamming the shutter. In the winter, I tend to use higher ISO stocks such as Cinestill 800T, Portra 800, and Lomo 800, along with versatile options like Kodak classics Portra 400, Ultramax, and Gold.

Why were you in Oslo for Christmas? Family, friends, or the photography opportunities?

My partner is from Bergen, Norway, so we always spend Christmas over there. And I haven’t really been to Oslo during Christmas, so we decided to just travel there and stay for a few days before the holidays.

What were the biggest photographic challenges you faced on the trip?

The biggest challenge was chasing the light. We were there the week before Christmas, and Oslo only had about five hours of daylight each day,, so I had to make sure that I was taking photos in those precious 5 hours and wherever I’m photographing, the sunlight better be hitting the scene.

Presumably the tractor is optional

Which camera and film were you using, and how did they help you overcome the challenges?

I brought my Leica M6TTL and Pentax 6x7. They helped me by always functioning flawlessly.

[Ed: ok this is just showing off now. Seriously, two reliable cameras?!]

Was there any part of the trip you were particularly excited about the photographic opportunities? And did the real experience of them live up to your imagination?

I was especially excited about photographing the Christmas lights, markets, and streets at night using Cinestill 800T, 400D, and Reflxlab 800. I think the experience definitely lived up to my expectations, thanks in large part to my partner, who is, unfortunately, used to me taking “a bit” of time shooting film wherever we go. She kept both my cameras and I entertained by taking us to more photogenic locations.

A critical skill for any photographer's partner! What is your favourite photo from the trip and why?

My favourite is this one - where the ice skater was gliding toward me, with the Ferris wheel and a ride in the background.

I like it because the photo has lots of layers visually. I remember shooting through a tiny gap in the fence to get that shot, hence the black reflective surface at the bottom left corner, which luckily picked up three different coloured lights from the scene.

The skater is framed almost perfectly in the center by two trees along the slope, while everything else unfolds in the background at the same time. The green lights create a clean silhouette of the skater, and the ride with its halation kinda looks like a UFO.

What is your most unexpected photo from the trip and why?

My most unexpected photo is the one where I tried to capture a beautiful sunset with hundreds of crows flying in the sky. However, I was a bit too greedy and tried to capture the shadow detail in the frame as well, so the sunset ended up completely blown out, and it’s not what I expected at all 😭

Is there anything you’d do differently - from a photography point of view - if you were to have the trip again?

I might bring my Dji pocket 3 to document my journey of shooting on the street, so I can see both the final photo results and the actual scene as well.

What would you say to anyone who is curious about heading to Norway to take photos?

Be as nice as possible to the airport security, as long as you ask them nicely they will have to hand-check your film because it’s part of their policy now. [Ed: you can read more about travelling with film here]

Be mindful to not invade local residents' gardens, farmlands, and any other properties without their permission. Drive carefully; don't freak out and start taking photos when you see northern lights while driving. The majority of car accidents caused by tourists during the holidays were because they got distracted by the northern lights.

That...actually makes sense. So what is your next planned adventure, and which camera/film will you be taking to capture it?

I’ve recently relocated to Jiangsu, China for a short while. I’m looking forward to visiting lesser-known cities and towns instead of major metropolises like Beijing, Shanghai, or Hong Kong, which people are already very familiar with. I’ll be bringing my usual camera setup alongside some Kodak film as they are relatively easy to get here in China.

Where can people go to see more of your photography?

Feel free to visit my instagram @Harrrima, I normally post once or twice a week. Maybe potentially a youtube channel in the future if I’m able to record my travel photography journey in the video format.

Thank you Harry. These are such gorgeous photos (and we miss you in the lab 😉) Best of luck with the relocation and your next adventures!

I hope you enjoyed reading this second article in the new 'Analogue Adventures' series! If you have had a recent adventure - whether a trip, a photo shoot, a photowalk or meaningful experience captured on film - then please head here to let us know.