Sanja Matsuri, on Film

Even though most of my work now flows through digital cameras, screens, RAW files—and a stream of ones and zeroes—I still can’t resist the satisfaction of shooting with one of the analog pieces from my collection. It’s become rare—I won’t lie. Film has gotten so expensive that it really has to be worth it.

The Sanja Matsuri is one of those moments.

There are mikoshi festivals all over Japan, but this one—held in the heart of Asakusa—is something else. In the chaos and celebration, in the shouting, drumming, and shoulder-to-shoulder carrying of the portable shrines, something deeper surfaces. A raw, proud energy that doesn’t often rise to the surface of everyday life.

I dusted off my Mamiya C220 and loaded a roll of Lomo 400. I won’t pretend it was smooth—I’m definitely a bit rusty when it comes to focus and timing with a twin-lens reflex—but I’m happy with what I brought back.

By the way, the first photo up here is actually the last frame on the roll. I love a good 3:1 ratio, and it was kind of hilarious how the exposure ended up like that. For those who aren’t into camera geekery: this camera normally shoots 6x6 frames—square, as you can see from the rest of the shots. But as the roll ended, it didn’t expose the full square—just a slice of it—resulting in a completely different ratio.

An accident, yes. But one of those happy ones.

This is the result of that full roll. Hope you enjoy it.
And what about you—do you still shoot film sometimes? If so, what’s your gear of choice?