We love Sandy's beautiful large format shots, they always seem to have hidden depths. We are excited that he agreed to take part in the In Focus / Lockdown Sessions series and become our 20th interviewee.

BACKGROUND

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

There’s a few I could post that I feel encapsulate the sort of feeling or thought process I have when I’m working on photos, but for me, so far? It’s this image.

Photography means a lot of different things to me, sometimes it’s fun, sometimes it’s an escape. And sometimes it feels more like work more than anything. But it’s always an extension of me and where I’m at, personally.

This photograph was taken during a very up and down time in my life. I was going through a very difficult battle with my anxiety and depression. It was the beginning of some of the worst months of my life, and I knew it was coming. I was so anxious during this time that during most shoots I had to take some moments away to get my breathing in check and stop myself from fainting or going into full panic mode.

I don’t go into my shoots with the intention of *SAYING* something. I didn’t decide or plan it this way, but for me since photography is such an extension of myself - I'd feel this quiet feeling, like you have something you need to say to someone you care about, but don’t know how. Maybe. Or maybe I have something I need to admit to myself, but can’t.

Just in case anyone doesn’t know who you are or what you do can you give us the overview?

My name is Sandy Phimester, I’m a portrait photographer from Peace River, Alberta, living in Edmonton. I always loved creativity growing up, and originally wanted to be a musician. I spent most of my teen years and up until my mid 20s trying to make that happen. Then after a tour across Canada with a band I was in at the time, my dad suggested I take a little point and shoot camera with me and document the trip. Ever since that adventure I realized I loved taking photos of the people and things around me. Slowly over the next few years my focus shifted from musical to visual.

How and why did you get started shooting film?

After getting into off camera lighting, photoshop techniques, all sorts of tricks and tech stuff, I sort of quickly got bored of it. I felt like my whole “thing” was taking a ton of RAW data (literally and figuratively) and turning it into something on my computer later. I didn’t like that.

I know lots of people who love that stuff, and it’s every bit as valid as any other visual art or photography, I would never say it’s bad or lesser. Just different. It wasn’t for me.

So someone had suggested maybe checking out a film camera, just for fun. And what started as a small fascination and diversion from the norm, quickly turned into all I wanted to do. Instead of bringing the film camera with me, and shooting one roll along my main digital camera. It turned into the opposite. I started bringing the digital with me as a back-up, of sorts. And then of course I just stopped bringing it.

I found out the process of it all, from the camera operation to the developing and all the rest - was really interesting and exciting. I just never experienced it until then. It was a very powerful change and one I look back on fondly.

HP5 pushed to 1600 - Speedgraphic

Who has been your biggest photographic inspiration to date?

It’s hard to say with one definitive answer. My main source of inspiration usually comes from from music. But of course I’m in love with a lot of photography too. I don’t know if I take any direct inspiration from anyone in particular but I love the works of Richard Avedon or Sally Mann. There are others too, of course.

What is the best piece of photography tip or advice you have ever received?

Great question. I could say so many things, but I think beyond the technical or hands on stuff… years ago I decided to just try and email one of my favourite documentary photographers a question. You know, like “How do you do this?”. Not the locations, not the people, not the angles or gear used, but just … all of it. How did you, become you? I don’t think it was a very deep question, haha, and I certainly wasn’t trying to go that way, but I just couldn’t put where I was and where they were on the same map. Probably never could. But I wanted to just ask someone. Someone doing amazing work that was so clearly on it’s own level and had a very intentional vision.

As simple as it is, the reply was just “If you look hard enough, you’ll find it”. I know it’s dead simple, and so obvious, but it’s still something I think about all the time.

What film photography related projects are you currently working on (or are in the pipeline)?

Besides my usual personal work on portraiture, I do have a few portrait related bigger things I’m day dreaming on, but nothing concrete yet in terms of plans or outlines. But I do have a fascination with isolation and remoteness, so I have a bigger idea for an exploration of that. But it would involve a lot of travel across remote parts of Canada, and even in the best of times that might be difficult. But it’s something I’ve always wanted to do.

HP5 pushed to 800 - Speedgraphic

What / where is your next shoot and how do you decide what film / kit you will use?

My next shoot is tomorrow! Portraits at a beautiful and interesting abandoned area I found about an hour from the city. Since I’m mostly shooting the same sort of stuff, the decisions become easier. My main interest these days is large format 4x5, so my kit is based around that, mostly. Large tripod, camera, lenses, lots of film and holders. Maybe a side camera like a medium format, or a Polaroid or Super 8 camera for fun too. But typically it’s based around the “main” camera I’m going to be focusing on. (currently obsessed with)

Some shoots I’ll lean heavily on lower ISO films and bring only a little bit of higher ISO backup. And sometimes it’s the complete opposite. It just depends.

The film choices are based off what the location is and what the light is like at that time of day. Am I working inside, or out? Is there a lot of available light? Or almost none. Big windows? Lamps? The decisions are based off prior knowledge of the area/location, but also making sure I can continue to shoot if something changes.

What are your photographic goals going forward?

My goals are the same they’ve always been. I just want to grow and to get better. I want to dig deeper into my work and come up with more.

FP4 Plus - SpeedGraphic

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 (not photography hubs) currently active on IG or Twitter and briefly tell us why others should follow them.

Oh geez, this is impossible! There’s so many that would be just as suited to be listed here! I instantly feel awkward trying to pick some and leaving others out haha.

Sure, here’s a few I like for various reasons. I don’t think it’s possible to pick three “top” or favourites at all, not to me anyway! (all on IG)

@micmojo - Jan has a very standout feel to almost all his photos. If it’s portraits, vacation photos of family stuff, it’s very cohesive and so carefully chosen it seems. A lot of his portraiture is very moving and has a sense of stillness to it. (That’s how I feel about it, I have no idea what he’s really thinking, but either way it’s super lovely work)

@tutes - has a very different style than me, but I love that immediately. A very clear vision and recognizable style and really out there DOING stuff. I respect and admire that a lot. I love seeing his images on my feed.

@ryanmuirhead - unique voices always make for a unique message or feeling. He wears his emotions on his sleeve - but with his photography. He puts it out there. And there’s a lot to respect and love about that. It’s beautiful work that has the power to get beyond the layers of every day life and leave an imprint on you.

There’s honestly like 20 more people I would love to put on this list 🙂

Give a shout out to your favourite photography YouTube channels (apart from the @ilfordphoto one).

I honestly don’t watch a lot of photography related content, BUT! I know Matt Day does great work and has good insights and a very nice channel without any BS.

https://www.youtube.com/user/mattdayphotofilmshow

Give a shout out to your favourite photographic retailers.

I’m usually only ever needing to order film chemicals/supplies and darkroom stuff. Shoutouts would be CineStill Film com and the FPP Store filmphotographystore.com - both located in the United States.

Give a shout out to your favourite lab service, if you have one, (name, location, website).

In my city of Edmonton there is a local lab that does great work for my color developing of 35mm/120. I develop all my own black and white, all formats/sizes, but E6 and C41 I only do large format at home - smaller color stuff I will send to the lab to save me time - dcphca

Favourite kit

What film cameras do you own and which is your favourite? (Please send us a picture of it if you can).

I’ve owned so many different cameras until I’ve sort of settled on these. However I must admit that even among these I don’t use all of them as often as I should.Currently I have… a Speed Graphic 4x5, Pentax 67, Nikon F3 and F2, Leica M3 and M6, Canon AE-1, Polaroid 180 Land Camera, Polaroid SLR 680, Canon Super 8, Nikonos III, a Holga 120, and some point and shoot cameras. My favourite is the Speed Graphic 4x5, for sure.

Aside from your camera, lenses and film what accessories make it into your camera bag?

Light meter and lots of batteries for any powered gear I have. A couple markers if I have to write notes on my 4x5 film holders. And two large freezer/ziploc type plastic bags, just in case I want to keep something like film or film holders dry in rainy situations.

What is the best piece of photography kit you have found or been gifted?

My Jobo CPE2 with lift system. (makes developing 4x5 film at home even easier and more consistent) My brother in law has let me “borrow” it for a long time. It’s his, but I use it, for now it lives at my place 🙂 *Thank you!*

As this is an ILFORD interview it would be remiss of us not to ask about your favourite ILFORD products. Tell us you favourite ILFORD film, paper or chems and why?

I use a lot of a few Ilford films on the regular. The most versatile to me is HP5+, it’s gorgeous and very flexible. I love the tones from FP4+ so much. I have to tell you that Delta 3200 is one of my favourite films of all time, and has also saved MANY shoots for me over the years. Allowing me to get a few more rolls in while the light fades, or while locations change - or plans don’t go exactly as hoped. I take some on every single shoot no matter what I’m doing. But it’s more than just keeping my shoot going, it looks so beautiful.

And finally…

Nominate one other person you think should fill in this form and we will reach out to them

Oh! Laura E. Partain. (@lauraepartain on IG) - she does really fantastic work.