Perhaps best known for working at The Darkroom Lab, this week we talked to Trev Lee about his film photography.

SECTION 1 - BACKGROUND

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

One of my all time favorite shots on ILFORD film was captured on FP4 Plus 125 with a Nikon FM3A and Ultron 40mm. It is a shot I have taken before on HP5+ a couple months prior - I love the texture of the tree which is framed by the squiggly lines of a a bicycle rack but I wanted a person in it so one foggy morning I went back the same spot on the Sacramento City College campus.  I sat on a bench, waiting for a person who walk through this scene and after a few minutes, a person walked through and I took this photo.  FP4+ was the perfect film for this scene as it has fine, yet still noticeable grain which give it good texture, has beautiful tonality, and even with the higher contrast, it still retains great detail in the shadows.

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

I am photographer based in Ohio. Film photography is a personal passion as of mine as I enjoy photographing everyday life; from my wife and daughter, family and friends, and I pretty much bring a camera with me whoever I go.  I am also the Marketing Director for TheDarkroom.com so I create and coordinate pretty much everything you see on our social platforms as well as our site.

In Focus - Trev Lee

ILFORD DELTA 3200

HOW AND WHY DID YOU GET STARTED SHOOTING FILM?

I shot film as a kid in the 90’s as that was all there was and while in college I learned on 120 and 4x5 but it wasn’t until 2014 , while living in Yosemite National Park, that is started shooting film exclusively. I got into film as I found which digital I would only go out to spots just for the photo and would spend all of my time behind the camera taking photos which rarely and I realized that I wasn’t good at being in the moment and that digital wasn’t helping so for one hike, I only brought a film camera and one roll.  That one roll, despite being 36 exposure, produced some of my favorite photos I ever took during my year prior with digital and ever since I have been hooked!

WHO HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST PHOTOGRAPHIC INSPIRATION TO DATE?

While living in Yosemite, Ansel Adams was definitely a big inspiration as I would find the spots he photographed and try to recreate them in my own way. Overall, I am less inspired by the work of other photographers and more so by the feeling of exploring and being creative even in seemingly mundane scenes.  I love walking, driving, and just aimlessly exploring, especially with other like mind people, and the photos are a nice reminder of those memories.

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

Take photos with good intention. Good intention is subjective but for me, it’s taking photos that I want to take, not what others may think are good which is easy to do as social media can have a big influence on what is “in”, popular, aka “a banger” haha…I just find that when I think about anything like how others will like it, if it will get a lot of likes or comments it usually produces an image I don’t like but if I focus on what I like: telling a good story and creating something I would want frame on my own wall, I find that not only do I like it but often times others enjoy it more than  ever would have expected.

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

I am working on a book that will feature some of my favorite photos I’ve taken on B&W film over the past 5 years since my daughter Stevie was born. They are all photos I have shared on social media but I want people to experience them in print as I feel a physical print is more impactful than my site or Instagram feed.

In Focus - Trev Lee

ILFORD PANF+

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

Who knows…I always have my cameras loaded with film ready to go.  Typically I have HP5+ loaded my a 35mm and Delta 3200 in 120 camera which are my two favorite ILFORD stocks, which FP4+ a close third.

WHAT ARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHIC GOALS GOING FORWARD?

I want to put out my first ever photo book which hopefully leads to more and while I have done a few galleries in coffee shops, I would love to get my work in an actual gallery eventually. For work, I as well as The Darkroom staff are always trying to put out educational content as well as plan events to meet up with and get to know the ever growing film community.

In Focus - Trev Lee

ILFORD PANF+

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.

  • @sissi_lu - Sissi Lu is one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met and not only is her approach to photographing people amazing, so are the her photos.
  • @Nathan.hirschler - I follow many amazing film photographers and one that, while I have never actually told him this, has always stuck out to me is Nathan’s work. He mainly shoots B&W and I always enjoy seeing how he capture everyday life.
  • @travelintravy - Travis is a good friend of mine from Yosemite who I got into film and is know an avid film shooter. He is always experimenting with new film and since he lives in Yosemite captures it in a way few do.

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHY YOUTUBE CHANNELS.

  • @badflashes - Caleb has more energy than any grown adult I know and his enthusiasm for film is unmatched. I always enjoy seeing his videos as they are not only entertaining but I enjoy his photography as well.
  • @grainydaysss - In my opinion, Jason is the most entertaining film photographer on YouTube as his dry sense of humor alone make me want to watch his videos but he is also a very talented photographer.
  • @GxACE - Casey’s video’s are visually inspiring and while they’re not always film related, I always enjoy his work.

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHIC RETAILERS.

GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO YOUR FAVOURITE LAB SERVICE.

TheDarkroom.com has been developing, scanning, and printing my film since 2015 and I have been working with them since 2016! @TheDarkroomLab.

In Focus - Trev Lee

ILFORD DELTA 100

SECTION 3 - FAVOURITE KIT

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

I own a good amount of film cameras but my current favorites and most used are: FujiFilm Klasse W, Nikon FM3A + Ultron 40mm, and a Rolleiflex 2.8C.

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

A good Lux Cadet flash.

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

Then girlfriend, now wife, gifted me a Rollei 35 for Christmas. She had no idea about film cameras and thought it looked cool so she got it for me and I love it!!

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?

My favorite 35mm B&W film is HP5+ and my favorite B&W 120 is Delta 3200.  Honorable mention is, ILFORD FP4 Plus.

AND FINALLY…

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

@Nathan.hirschler on IG - I believe he shoots lot of ILFORD film and his work is very good!

In Focus - Trev Lee

ILFORD HP5+

Images ©Trev Lee