I Miss the Darkroom

I saw a great film - Everlasting Moments. 1907 in Sweden - Maria Larsson had a very hard life with a brutal husband and an ever-growing family. She is overworked and unhappy until she finds a camera tucked away in a trunk. She takes it to a camera store to sell it- of course the store owners name is Mr. Pederson - he encourages her to try it out. After some time she discovers a sense of purpose and identity through the lens. She is good at taking photos and others in her town recognize that. I liked this film - I mostly like this film because when it was her and her camera or her in her darkroom the film was quiet and subtle, yet incredible empowering and inspirational. Life outside her camera or darkroom was loud, hectic, and abusive.

Above anything it reminded me of when I use to spend hours and hours in the darkroom – there is something so magical about creating an image from light – watching the story develop as seconds tick by. When the numerous elements of film photography finally come together after lighting and timing, washing and fixing, drying and cutting, dodging and burning, once again washing and fixing the final product is something to be proud of, something you are excited about, something that you created from start to finish. In the end, the darkroom is very a special place – I miss that.