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That Glow of Fomapan

March 17, 2015 in Black and White Film, Nudes, Film Reviews

One of the most frequent questions I get from other photographers is about my use of Fomapan film. I would argue it is probably the most mis-understood films out on the market. There is good reason for that. It seems to be widely available, relatively inexpensive, and yet there is very little technical information about it out there on the internet. As such, I've noticed a lot of people try it, hate it, and then bash it as a cheap alternative not worth the effort of giving it a try.

Foma is actually one of the older film manufacturers out there with a history dating back to about 1920. Today they make black and white film stocks, paper, and chemistry in a surprisingly wide variety of formats including 35mm, medium format, and sheet film. From what I understand, the film is manufactured in the Czech Republic. 

I'll readily admit that Foma film stocks take some practice. Unlike modern film types by Kodak and Ilford, Foma films flair easily, have grain the size of golf balls at times, and don't push process all that well. However, that doesn't make them bad by any means. In some ways I'd call this a strength. I like the old school look and the slight glow one gets around the highlights. It pairs well with the older lenses on my cameras like the Rolleiflex and screw mount Leica glass. If you are a fan of the old school look one gets with Kodak Tri-X, then you may just fall in love with Foma.

Again, I'll emphasize that the only real downside to Foma films is the lack of technical information out there. If you want to use it, you'll just have to experiment for yourself to find out what works. Published development times and film curves vary wildly. A lot of people don't want to make that kind of effort but over the long haul, I'd argue it's worth doing.   

Tags: Nude, Window Light, Black and White Film, Rolleiflex, Foma, Natural Light
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Here you will find the ramblings of photographer Alexis Kennedy, his latest images, and just general thoughts about photography, film, art, and creativity.

Alexis works primarily with analogue film including 35mm, medium format, and large format film.   


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I'm waiting for the beep of the coffee maker at the moment, i.e. that glorious sound telling me my morning coffee is all ready to be poured in a mug and consumed before the sun comes up. Glory days I tell you, glory days...
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#filmphotography #blacka
Enjoying the nice natural light going on with this image. Not too bright and harsh, but pronounced enough to bring out the details and shapes in the frame on black and white film. 
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#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #portland #pdx #darkroom #analo
Walking around downtown Chicago in the sweltering heat. I'm really not used to the humidity during mid-west summers!
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#filmphotography #chicago #streetphotography #minolta #35mmfilm #blackandwhitefilm #downtown #outandabout #illinois #darkroom
It was hot as blazes out when this image was taken and the shade and shadows of the forest were a incredible relief. 

Sometimes working in a thick patch of trees like this can be a real challenge during the summer because the light can be patchy and
One of those places I like to go pray to the Gods. 
.
#filmphotography #vinyl #portland #pdx #autocord #minolta #mediumformat #blackandwhite #analogphotography
Walking through my neighborhood and admiring all the different trees and plants. I feel like I see something new every single time I take a journey to the park. 
.
#filmphotography #pentax67 #portland #pdx #streetphotography #blackandwhitefilm #darkr
Just another day worshiping the shadows.
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#35mm #filmphotography #portrait #minolta #ilford
I need to make more Lumen Prints, especially now that it is summer and the foliage around here is getting brittle and falling to the ground. 
.
#lumen #foundart #analogphotography #darkroom #plants #portland #pdx #printmaking
Appreciating the wonderful spaces I have easy access to. Every so often I'm reminded just how much that isn't the case everywhere you go. 
.
#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #landscape #oregon #pacificnorthwest #mediumformat #hasselblad #outdoors
Treasures in remote places. 
.
#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #mediumformat #hasselblad #oregon #pdx #portland #outdoors #ilford #analogphotography #darkroom #120 #rodinal #seashell
I feel like I was disconnected from the world for a little bit. Did I miss anything? Not really it seems. Which I suppose isn't so terrible. 

Working with @verronica_ 

#filmphotography #blackandwhite #fineart #pentax67 #oregon #landscape #pdx #medi
Enjoying the little dance with light one can only get when using a giant flood lamp in the middle of winter. 
.
#filmphotography #portrait #hasselblad #blackandwhite #blackandwhitefilm #mediumformat #ilford #fineart #darkroom #studio #pdx #portland
I really can't imagine two images that personify a good chunk of my life these days. Roaming about the mid-west, chasing the clouds, and listening to the wind. 

(Also having fun with a dinky little Minolta 35mm point and shoot panoramic camera, beca
Road adventures around Mt. Shasta. I was pulled over to the side of the road to just soak in the view for a few minutes and stretch my legs. 
.
#filmphotography #hasselblad #mediumformat #blackandwhitefilm #analogphotography #california #mtshasta #ro
This is one of those images that should not have worked. It was incredibly hot out, and the light was far too harsh for my liking, but somehow we found a great little spot with some open shade and just a tiny little breeze. 

Working with @jessaraymu
I'm waiting for the beep of the coffee maker at the moment, i.e. that glorious sound telling me my morning coffee is all ready to be poured in a mug and consumed before the sun comes up. Glory days I tell you, glory days...
.
#filmphotography #blacka Enjoying the nice natural light going on with this image. Not too bright and harsh, but pronounced enough to bring out the details and shapes in the frame on black and white film. 
.
#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #portland #pdx #darkroom #analo Walking around downtown Chicago in the sweltering heat. I'm really not used to the humidity during mid-west summers!
.
#filmphotography #chicago #streetphotography #minolta #35mmfilm #blackandwhitefilm #downtown #outandabout #illinois #darkroom It was hot as blazes out when this image was taken and the shade and shadows of the forest were a incredible relief. 

Sometimes working in a thick patch of trees like this can be a real challenge during the summer because the light can be patchy and One of those places I like to go pray to the Gods. 
.
#filmphotography #vinyl #portland #pdx #autocord #minolta #mediumformat #blackandwhite #analogphotography Walking through my neighborhood and admiring all the different trees and plants. I feel like I see something new every single time I take a journey to the park. 
.
#filmphotography #pentax67 #portland #pdx #streetphotography #blackandwhitefilm #darkr Just another day worshiping the shadows.
.
#35mm #filmphotography #portrait #minolta #ilford I need to make more Lumen Prints, especially now that it is summer and the foliage around here is getting brittle and falling to the ground. 
.
#lumen #foundart #analogphotography #darkroom #plants #portland #pdx #printmaking Appreciating the wonderful spaces I have easy access to. Every so often I'm reminded just how much that isn't the case everywhere you go. 
.
#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #landscape #oregon #pacificnorthwest #mediumformat #hasselblad #outdoors Treasures in remote places. 
.
#filmphotography #blackandwhitefilm #mediumformat #hasselblad #oregon #pdx #portland #outdoors #ilford #analogphotography #darkroom #120 #rodinal #seashell I feel like I was disconnected from the world for a little bit. Did I miss anything? Not really it seems. Which I suppose isn't so terrible. 

Working with @verronica_ 

#filmphotography #blackandwhite #fineart #pentax67 #oregon #landscape #pdx #medi Enjoying the little dance with light one can only get when using a giant flood lamp in the middle of winter. 
.
#filmphotography #portrait #hasselblad #blackandwhite #blackandwhitefilm #mediumformat #ilford #fineart #darkroom #studio #pdx #portland I really can't imagine two images that personify a good chunk of my life these days. Roaming about the mid-west, chasing the clouds, and listening to the wind. 

(Also having fun with a dinky little Minolta 35mm point and shoot panoramic camera, beca Road adventures around Mt. Shasta. I was pulled over to the side of the road to just soak in the view for a few minutes and stretch my legs. 
.
#filmphotography #hasselblad #mediumformat #blackandwhitefilm #analogphotography #california #mtshasta #ro This is one of those images that should not have worked. It was incredibly hot out, and the light was far too harsh for my liking, but somehow we found a great little spot with some open shade and just a tiny little breeze. 

Working with @jessaraymu