Tuesdays have been my favorite during the past year. I’ve been inspired and have learned something new from each and every person I’ve featured on my 20 on Tuesdays. It has been my way of giving back to those individuals that have helped me along in my journey in photography as well as passing the inspiration on to all who have come across my little blog. I’m honored to have been able to feature Wedding photographers, lifestyle photographers, newborn photographers, food photographers, pet photographers, child photographers, sports photographers, and even my favorite weekly photography show. Thank you to everyone who so graciously answered my questions and provided beautiful images for us all to enjoy. I know the questions took time to contemplate and to answer and the images to cull and organize and send. So thank you.
I’ve been contemplating this feature over the last few months and have come to some decisions about the direction my business as well as my blog will be going. As much as I’ve enjoyed 20 on Tuesdays, they do take me quite a few hours to put together each time and I seem to be running out of hours in the day these past few months. I have decided that today’s feature will be the final 20 on Tuesday for me. You can read interviews from amazing individuals in the photography industry on other blogs, including Bloom, and I look forward to our upcoming features.
It’s because I’ve loved meeting and being inspired by other photographers through this avenue that I’ve decided to launch a new journey beginning in September. You will continue to see fellow photographers but in a more personal and meaningful way. I’m SO excited about this project and about my first feature that I almost want to a announce it today! ….. Almost……. Stay tuned here and on Facebook in September for my first post.
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Film is making a comeback. I’m sure you already know that. I started with film years ago. I never fell in love with film. When digital appeared I fell in love with digital and that’s where I’ve been for the last five years. When I began following film photographers this past year I was intrigued. I was curious. I was interested. But I didn’t fall in love.
Until this session was posted by Abbie McFarland in the Bloom Forum. And finally I fell in love. And I bought a film camera soon after. And am now intrigued, curious, interested, and in LOVE with film when it’s done well. And that’s the part that I’m working at. Shooting film well. It’s my newest passion. Abbie shoots film phenomenally well! That’s why I thought it fitting that I feature Abbie today as my final 20 on Tuesday post. Because she is the one that inspired me to fall in love with film. And isn’t that what these interviews started as? Inspiration.
All the way from DFW, Texas, meet Abbie!
Hi, Abbie!
Tell us a little about Abbie McFarland
I’m busy living the crazy life of a wife and mom. I’m married to my best friend, I’m a mom to three sweet daughters, and we have three dogs (a Rottweiler, an English Mastiff, and an English Bulldog). So, needless to say, it’s a houseful. We are working our way towards building a house on land we own just west of Fort Worth, Texas. I’m a small town girl at heart, living in the suburbs, so we are really excited about the change of pace that moving will offer us. I’ll turn 34 this weekend – I’m amazed at how fast life flies by, and how many things I want to accomplish.
When and how did your photography journey begin?
I’m not one of those people that can say I’ve always had a camera in my hands. It really began for me several years ago as an outlet, something I could use to celebrate my family, but also something that was just mine. I wish I could tell you that I had some great talent for photography from day one, but that’s pretty far from the truth. I’ve grown and learned a lot through trial and error, and I feel like I’m really just starting the journey I want to be on.
I know you recently switched from digital to film. Tell us how you made that decision.
I kept running into the film discussion in various settings, which made me curious about it. I had no prior experience with shooting it, other than an old Olympus that my grandparents bought me when I was younger. At first I dismissed it as something I would be too chicken to try, but it is hard to deny the beauty of it. When
Jonathan Canlas released his
FIND Guide, I bought it and an f100 immediately. I really loved the simplicity of it, and just found that it was becoming more and more of a pain to shoot with my digital camera. My experience with film is limited, but I’m really loving my results.
What has changed since the switch?
In addition to spending far less time on the computer, it has caused me to be more thoughtful about each individual frame that I take, and far more concerned with what it is that I really want to shoot, and how I want to approach it. By nature, I’m more likely to see things as a big picture, rather than having an awareness of small details. I think film forces you to notice small things and be more willing to critique yourself.
Do clients know the difference between digital and film? Do they seek you out specifically because you shoot film?
Not right now, although as film continues its resurgence, I imagine that many photographers could start getting those questions from clients. People do notice the softness and beauty of it, though.
What’s in your camera bag?
contax 645 + 80mm 2.0 & 45mm 2.8
nikon f100 & d700 + 50 1.4, 60 macro, and 135 2.0
contax g2 + 35mm + 45mm + 90mm
fuji gf670
Now that film is making a comeback, there are more and more labs to choose from. What has been your favorite so far?
Talk to us about film. What are your favorite types of film and why?
I’m still at an experimental stage, but I’ve been leaning toward Portra 400 and 800, and I love Ilford 400 and 3200 for black and whites.
How did you learn film? Books, workshops, classes?
In addition to the FIND guide, I’ve also found
Jose Villa’s book to be very informative (and filled with beautiful images). Formspring can be a great place to find information, and generally just paying attention to information that experienced film photographers put out there on their own blogs. And then, most importantly, getting out and practicing on my own. I’m also headed to FIND Chicago next summer, which I’m so excited about.
Talk about the difference in post processing with film vs. digital.
what’s post-processing? 🙂 seriously, I haven’t been doing a darn thing to my film images, other than a very occasional s-curve or color balance. It’s liberating to not sit at the computer for hours on end.
How has your typical session changed now that you work in film?
I generally know about how many rolls of film I want to use, so that of course determines the number of exposures I have to work with. Before I switched, I had already started to reduce the number of images I was taking at a session, and I have been pleasantly surprised by the ratio of usable images I get when I shoot with more purpose. Also, no more staring at the back of my camera.
What does your ideal session look like?
Is it okay to say that I haven’t defined that yet? I really enjoy working with seniors and newborns, and I really enjoy shooting on our land. We’ve got a few hundred acres to work with that are only shared with a few horses and cattle. Ideally, I will be able to have indoor/outdoor studio space to work with once we move out there.
If time and money were no object, what project would you love to tackle?
My husband’s family has been in the Aledo/Weatherford area for 5+ generations, and his great-grandfather was one of the co-founders of the Fort Worth stock show. I would really love to put together a collection of black and whites that tell a bit about his family history for our kids.
For me, personal projects are crucial in feeding my passion for photography. What has been your latest personal project?
Well, shooting film, for the time being, has been my latest personal project. Our kids are finally old enough now that we’ve gotten to do a little traveling this year. We went to Hawaii in May and to L.A. and Santa Barbara this summer, and in both cases, I took only film equipment along with me. It’s been a great way to experiment without pressure, and it’s fabulous to have vacation pictures that are print/blog ready right at download.
If you could work with any photographer, who would it be?
Although I could give you are really long list of photographers that I admire, my great desire to find my own voice, and put together a body of work that I can be proud of. That’s hard to do if you are paying too much attention to others.
Salty or sweet?
um, both?
What’s the last book you read?
the latest Sookie Stackhouse novel
What is your favorite television show to relax with?
You will probably notice from my answers that my husband is in charge of the remote: True Blood, Sons of Anarchy, and Breaking Bad. Maybe those aren’t relaxing, but they are most definitely engaging. Also, especially with fall right around the corner, I should note that I love my Dallas Cowboys, and when we aren’t attending the game, it’s most definitely going to be on the tv.
If you had to choose your last meal, what would it be?
My husband grills the best fajitas ever. Saturday nights are for cheat meals, so we head to Central Market for fajitas, tamales, chips & queso, bacon-wrapped jalepenos with cream cheese, and mexican cokes. I know, I’m hitting all the important food groups there. 🙂
What quote best represents you right now?
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.
Henry David Thoreau
I never did anything big in my life, but I tried to do small things every day.
my grandfather
You can see all of Abbie’s work HERE.
Thank you, Abbie!
Happy Tuesday.
Awesome interview. I adore Abbie and her work, it’s so beautiful!
loved this interview Wendy and I know it must be bitter sweet for this to be your final one – but I’m thrilled for what is around the corner for you. Abbie is great and you are correct – she 100% rocks film. I met her last year and was inspired by her passion and go-gettem attitude (might be b/c we are both from texas). glad you highlighted her and can’t wait to see what is on the horizon for you.
Wendy, I’ve loved this feature of yours. Thanks for sharing so many inspiring photographers. Beautiful work Abbie!
abbie for president! wendy for vice-president. (or other way around…either way–you are both phenom!) can’t wait to see what you are cooking up!
Beautiful film work Abbie! I’m so happy to read all about you! And Wendy, I can’t wait for the reveal of your new project!
quite the finale… fabulous Abbie… loving your new film direction!! Great work over the past ……. months with your 20 on Tuesday Wendy… big love.
Thankyou Wendy for all your fabulous interviews. And Abbie you are such an inspiration, your work is beautiful and your willingness to share your knowledge incredibly generous!
Abbie’s work is so beautiful! I loved learning more about you, Abbie. Wendy, thanks so much for sharing these interviews with us. They really all have been such a fantastic treat. I can’t wait to hear about your new venture! I’m eagerly awaiting the reveal! xoxo
I adore your work, Abbie! These are incredible. It is inspiring to read about such a strong, decisive path! I adore Henry David Thoreau’s quote….it has been a motto of mine for a lifetime.
great interview. love her work! and wendy…Yay! so excited to see what’s to come…
this was a wonderful interview. i am excited to go back and read all the others and see what you have in store for us next!
amazing, her work is amazing.
thank you, my friend, for all the fabulous interviews. i know how much time and effort it takes to get these done and i’ve learn much from them all. i know i will come back time and time again to re-read the interviews. i can’t wait to see what’s next for you!!
you picked the perfect person to wrap up these inspiring interviews! i fell in love with film, i mean head over heals in love, when i saw that same session from abbie! i texted maureen right away and made her go look at it! beautiful work abbie!!! thank you for sharing with us!
so so so excited to see what’s next for you! spill the beans!
Abbie, I agree with Wendy. Ever since I saw that senior shoot, I’ve been thinking about film. These images have been seared in my mind. I love “the creamy goodness” of your film work.
Wendy, thank you for providing a forum for us to enjoy and to learn. This interview is one that I’m filing away for future reference.