This week in our In Focus interview, we speak with Michèl Passin, a Leipzig-based photographer and videographer specializing in portraiture and documentary work.

SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND

SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE / PRINT SHOT ON ILFORD FILM AND TELL US WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU?

This picture was taken for my project “18:09”. It was shot with a Mamiya 645 1000s on FP4+. After developing and scanning I was blown away how everything turned out. Everything came out the way I planned it. For me it’s just perfect. Model, location, lighting, choice of film.

Michèl Passin

JUST IN CASE ANYONE DOESN’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE OR WHAT YOU DO, CAN YOU GIVE US THE OVERVIEW?

My name is Michèl Passin and I’m a Leipzig based photographer and videographer, focussing on portrait and documentary. When I’m not behind the lens, you can find me flexing my creative muscles as the Director Product for a German news publisher. With a strong creative background in everything I do, photography has always been a big part and influences my everyday life.

After lots of years shooting portraits, I found my love for documentary photography when visiting Milano on my own for the first time. It felt more authentic and made me change the way I see photography in general.

After almost 18 years of photography I’m happy to call companies like Universal Music, Porsche Design, Deutsches Rotes Kreuz, Media Markt, as well as artists like The BossHoss, 01099, töksi, Graham Candy and others my clients.

Michèl Passin. Black and white shot of a building, however half of the image is missing.

First of the roll – ILFORD FP4+ Leica M6

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET STARTED SHOOTING FILM?

I started shooting analogue film for a variety of reasons, both personal and artistic. One of the primary motivations was a desire to reconnect with the tangible aspects of photography. In a digital age where images are often fleeting and easily forgotten, analogue film offers a physicality and permanence that digital lacks. The process of loading film, manually adjusting settings, and waiting for development cultivates a sense of anticipation and mindfulness that I find incredibly rewarding.

Moreover, I appreciate the aesthetic qualities unique to film. The grain, dynamic range, and subtle colour variations lend a certain depth and character to images that digital can sometimes struggle to replicate. Each frame feels like a piece of art, imbued with the nuances of the film stock and the conditions under which it was shot. Everything you do is well thought – really nice in comparison to the fast world we live in.

And finally, the main reason was that I started to develop on my own. I have always been very impatient, and the fact that I could have the results within an hour was so convincing that it encouraged me to dive further into the medium. For that, I thank my friend koviii (instagram.com/koviii__), who supported me and taught me everything.

Ultimately, shooting analogue film is about the joy of the craft. It's a slower, more deliberate process that encourages me to savour each moment and to see the world through a different lens—one that values quality, uniqueness, and the art of photography itself.

Michèl Passin. Black and white portrait of a woman stood in front of many plants.

Steffi – ILFORD PanF+ 50 Leica M6

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST PHOTOGRAPHIC INSPIRATION TO DATE?

Back in the days, when I applied for studying at Bauhaus Dessau, I was asked the same question. My answer at that time was the same as I have today.

I don’t have any specific role models. It’s more about being a hunter and collector at the same time. There is inspiration in everything, even the most generous things. Sometimes it’s a colour palette, sometimes a fabric I touch, a poem or a movie.

Sure, I like lots of photographers, but I wouldn’t consider any of them as an inspiration.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PHOTOGRAPHY TIP OR ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?

Being true to yourself is what brings you further.

Michèl Passin. Black and white portrait of a woman in a white dress smiling and leaning against a tree.

Undine – ILFORD HP5+ Mamiya 645 1000s

WHAT FILM PHOTOGRAPHY RELATED PROJECTS ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON (OR ARE IN THE PIPELINE)?

In 2022 I started a project called “18:09”. 9 models, 2 shootings each. One black and white and one in colour. All ideas are set and ready to go, some of them are already done. Some of them are super easy to shoot, some require lots of planning.

Unfortunately I lost interest in staged portraits, at least for now, so I try to figure out how to continue.

WHAT / WHERE IS YOUR NEXT SHOOT AND HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT FILM / KIT YOU WILL USE?

I will be accompanying a band soon. Can’t tell too much, but I guess Delta 3200 will be the perfect choice.

In general, I am very minimalist. I don't like having too many options. Shooting a concert or behind the scenes stuff leads me to my Leica M6, because it’s lightweight. When taking portraits, my Pentax 6x7, paired with the 105/2.4 is the weapon of choice.

Choosing the film for a shoot totally depends on location, mood I’m aiming for and of course the ISO I need.

WHAT ARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC GOALS GOING FORWARD?

I really want to focus on working with artists again. Being as close as possible and this way being as real as possible.

Michèl Passin. Black and white portrait of a woman stood up holding basket full of flowers.

Pia FLOWERS – ILFORD FP4+ Mamiya 645 1000s

SECTION 2 - SHOUT OUTS

We all need a bit of inspiration and love so this is your chance to tell the community about yours – from the film photographers whose work inspires you, the labs you trust with your film, your ‘go to’ film photography stockists, your favourite community darkrooms or just anyone in the community who you feel deserves a special mention.

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR 3 FAVOURITE FILM PHOTOGRAPHERS.

  • Marco Di Stefano – @__marcodistefano. He makes me feel bad. Most of the time I don’t even think his work is shot on film.
  • Mike Gray – @mikegrayfilm Nice down to earth guy. He shows authentic insights about his process and I love his editorial work.
Michèl Passin. Black and white high contrast shot of a building that has been taken through a bus.

Nie wieder ist jetzt – ILFORD Delta 3200 Leica M6

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHY YOUTUBE CHANNELS.

This one goes out to the Mamiyamigos Caleb (BadFlashes) and Jason (grainydaysss).

Caleb and Jason's willingness to share their knowledge and experiences has been invaluable in my journey, and I deeply appreciate their contributions to the film photography community.

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHIC RETAILERS.

Last time I went to cologne I had some spare time and so I visited Foto Lambertin. I was blown away. It felt like the had all the film that was sold out anywhere else. When ordering film online, the became my number one. Fast shipping and nice service – highly recommend!

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE LAB SERVICE.

So far there are two labs I have tried. Both offer great service and of course great quality. In Leipzig my go to lab is NIMMFILM. When I used to live in Berlin, safelight was my choice, especially when I wanted to develop ECN-2.

Michèl Passin. Black and white portrait of a woman stood up in front of a backdrop leaning against the wall.

Susen – ILFORD PanF+ 50 Contax T3

SECTION 3 - FAVOURITE KIT

WHAT FILM CAMERAS DO YOU OWN AND WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE?

As I said, I like to keep it simple. Anyways I love cameras, so I own way more than I use. The ones I use often are my Leica M6 and my Pentax 6x7. Followed by the Yashica Mat 124G and the Konica Hexar AF. Due to the fact I also shoot a lot digital, there is also my Leica M10-P and my Ricoh GRIII.

Michèl Passin. Colour image of a shelf with camera's displayed

ASIDE FROM YOUR CAMERA, LENSES AND FILM, WHAT ACCESSORIES MAKE IT INTO YOUR CAMERA BAG?

A  light meter. Especially when shooting with the Pentax for me it’s a must have. With an external light meter, you can ensure consistent exposure across multiple shots or scenes. This consistency is particularly important for me, especially when shooting a series of images for a project.

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF PHOTOGRAPHY KIT YOU HAVE FOUND OR BEEN GIFTED?

My first medium format camera, the Mamiya 645 1000s. This camera has transformed the way I approach photography, offering unparalleled image quality and detail in comparison to what I knew before.

AS THIS IS AN ILFORD INTERVIEW IT WOULD BE REMISS OF US NOT TO ASK ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE ILFORD PRODUCTS. TELL US YOUR FAVOURITE ILFORD FILM, PAPER OR CHEMS AND WHY?

FP4+ on 120 film. Love the subtle grain and the way it renders shades of grey.

Michèl Passin. Black and white image of a person from the behind walking away on a street.

Vienna – ILFORD HP5+ Mamiya ZM

Michèl Passin. Black and white shot of a building looking upwards.

Vienna – ILFORD HP5+ Mamiya ZM

AND FINALLY…

NOMINATE ONE OTHER PERSON YOU THINK SHOULD FILL IN THIS FORM AND WE WILL REACH OUT TO THEM.

Please reach out to Mike Gray (mikegrayfilm). He is such a talented guy who does so much for the analogue community, in my opinion.

Michèl Passin. Black and white self portrait of a man taking the shot through a mirror.

Selfportrait – ILFORD FP4+ Leica M6

Images ©Michèl Passin