I made this photograph as I approached 70 years of age, but it felt like I was 7 years old again as I was squatting down in the street, preparing to make this shot. And this photograph looks like it could have been made in 1959 instead of 2021.
Many of you know my story of how I started making photographs. My mother gave me my first film camera and taught me how to use it, then challenged me to be an explorer in my small town. I asked her what I should shoot, and she said "something classic". At my young age, I asked her "what is classic", and she replied "that's what you have to figure out". In retrospect, that's awesome, isn't it?
Well, it was the mid-1950's and I soon discovered that "classic" for me translated into the great American cars of that era. And that's what I pointed my camera towards more often than not. Many of you also know that within a few years, an intruder would enter our home armed with a shotgun, after watching me walk out of the front door and get on the school bus, and proceed to start shooting. My mother was killed and my father was left in critical condition, but eventually survived. I was 9 years old. I didn't touch a camera seriously for the following 40 years. At age 49, reeling from another personal crisis, I decided to pick up a camera again. Now, 21 years later, photography has helped me find the little boy from the mid-1950's who was so lost for so long.
Coincidentally, film photography is now experiencing a resurgence around the world. This photograph was made on my analog Leica M6, perhaps the most iconic 35mm film camera ever made. In response to the worldwide resurgence of film photography, this past week Leica announced they are re-issuing the Leica M6 film camera, and that has photographers around the world surprised and excited.
Sullivan, IN
2021
© James Rice, All Rights Reserved
Leica M6 TTL, 0.72
28mm Summaron
Ilford Delta Pro 100 (expired)
Developed: The Darkroom Photo Lab, San Clemente, CA
I made this photograph as I approached 70 years of age, but it felt like I was 7 years old again as I was squatting down in the street, preparing to make this shot. And this photograph looks like it could have been made in 1959 instead of 2021.
Many of you know my story of how I started making photographs. My mother gave me my first film camera and taught me how to use it, then challenged me to be an explorer in my small town. I asked her what I should shoot, and she said "something classic". At my young age, I asked her "what is classic", and she replied "that's what you have to figure out". In retrospect, that's awesome, isn't it?
Well, it was the mid-1950's and I soon discovered that "classic" for me translated into the great American cars of that era. And that's what I pointed my camera towards more often than not. Many of you also know that within a few years, an intruder would enter our home armed with a shotgun, after watching me walk out of the front door and get on the school bus, and proceed to start shooting. My mother was killed and my father was left in critical condition, but eventually survived. I was 9 years old. I didn't touch a camera seriously for the following 40 years. At age 49, reeling from another personal crisis, I decided to pick up a camera again. Now, 21 years later, photography has helped me find the little boy from the mid-1950's who was so lost for so long.
Coincidentally, film photography is now experiencing a resurgence around the world. This photograph was made on my analog Leica M6, perhaps the most iconic 35mm film camera ever made. In response to the worldwide resurgence of film photography, this past week Leica announced they are re-issuing the Leica M6 film camera, and that has photographers around the world surprised and excited.
Sullivan, IN
2021
© James Rice, All Rights Reserved
Leica M6 TTL, 0.72
28mm Summaron
Ilford Delta Pro 100 (expired)
Developed: The Darkroom Photo Lab, San Clemente, CA