Wesley King

Inspiration Found: What to Shoot When You’re Out of Ideas

Posted on February 4, 2020 by Wesley King Miscellaneous

We all have moments when the creative well seems to run completely dry, moments when you feel like you’ve exhausted every idea you’ve ever had for picking-up a camera, and shooting something.

I have these moments — a little too frequently. I decided to start capturing every interesting idea that popped to mind, and cataloguing each one here, in hopes that it will help others too. This article will be updated over time, so feel free to bookmark it and revisit regularly for new ideas. Last update was September 12, 2021.

Why Process Film at Home?

Posted on February 1, 2020 by Wesley King Darkroom

Since getting back into film, I’ve slowly invested in the hobby with the aim of lowering the overall cost and having a bit more control over the creative process. That led, of course, to processing and scanning film at home. After processing dozens of rolls at home (all quite successfully, I might add), I have the operational experience both to calculate and talk about cost, and to reflect on the benefits I’m seeing — some of which were unexpected.

Beyond the Aperture Launched

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Wesley King Miscellaneous

This week, I was able to both finish something that’s a long time coming, and start a new journey — simultaneously: I launched Beyond the Aperture.

A Big Deal: Reflecting on the Significance and History of the Rolleiflex

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Wesley King Cameras

I originally wrote this article while working on the review of my own Rolleiflex Automat MX (a review I’ve since published). While researching the history and origins of the camera, I became fascinated with (and derailed by) some of the history of the Rolleiflex itself, and just how significant the camera actually was (and is).

An Unexpected Question: What Film Would I Recommend?

Posted on December 17, 2019 by Wesley King Film

I was recently asked a question by someone new to film photography, a question I never expected, and have never been asked before: What film would I recommend — black and white, as well as color — for someone new to film photography? Well, for sure, it made me think.

Kodak Ektachrome E100 Reintroduction Finally Comes to 120 and 4×5

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Wesley King Film

On the heels of an apparently successful rollout of the film in 135 format late in 2019, Kodak Alaris announced early in 2019 that they’d be bringing Ektachrome E100 back to 120 and large formats. The timing of the move was less certain, although it was understood to be “by the end of the year.” Well, the wait is very nearly over.

Review: Hasselblad 503CW Medium Format Film Camera

Posted on December 2, 2019 by Wesley King Cameras

There are just a handful of camera brands that have achieved truly legendary, truly iconic status, and for me, at least, there are just three: Rollei, Leica, and Hasselblad. Of those, only Leica doesn’t (yet) grace my camera collection; I’ve not been bitten by that bug enough yet to overcome the price points. But Hasselblad? Hasselblads have been the camera in my mind for decades, and I frankly never thought I’d be able to hold one, let alone actually use one. And now, I not only use one, I own one. So, has it lived-up to its reputation in my own mind? (Spoiler alert: Yes.)

Diagnosing Light Edges on Images (Dark Edges on Negatives)

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Wesley King Darkroom Film

Since I’ve started developing my own film, I’m pleased to say I have yet to ruin any of the dozens of rolls of film I’ve processed at home — every single roll has resulted in usable negatives, with seemingly proper density. However, something has been dogging me, and I only recently discovered that it was my own fault: Images with light edges (on the positives), dark edges (on the negatives).

Review: CatLABS X FILM 80 Black and White Film (120)

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Wesley King Film

One film I don’t hear that much about — which is a shame — is an interesting one from CatLABS, called X FILM 80. This traditional slow-speed film is supposedly modeled after Kodak’s iconic Panatomic-X black and white film, which has been discontinued for decades now. Many forum posts seem to effectively dismiss this film as an imposter — Shanghai GP3 in a different box — but it’s among my favorites at the moment.

How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets

Posted on November 7, 2019 by Wesley King Lenses, Accessories and Services

One of the great things about film photography is just how much information there is on the internet about various esoterica related to cameras, accessories, film development, and more. But it’s sometimes surprising just how much information is not actually available, and the Rolleinar close-up attachment system for Rolleiflex cameras is a prime example of that.

Wesley King

Inspiration Found: What to Shoot When You’re Out of Ideas

Why Process Film at Home?

Beyond the Aperture Launched

A Big Deal: Reflecting on the Significance and History of the Rolleiflex

An Unexpected Question: What Film Would I Recommend?

Kodak Ektachrome E100 Reintroduction Finally Comes to 120 and 4×5

Review: Hasselblad 503CW Medium Format Film Camera

Diagnosing Light Edges on Images (Dark Edges on Negatives)

Review: CatLABS X FILM 80 Black and White Film (120)

How to Identify and Use Rolleinar Lens Attachment Sets

Search

Archives