On the last days of 2010 in Parsons, Kansas the independent photo-lab Dwayne’s Photo developed the last rolls of legendary film Kodachrome. After the announcement of the end of the film’s production in 2009, Dwayne’s Photo eventualy became the only lab enabled to process Kodachrome.
In the age of Flickr and Facebook it may seem incomprehensible to long for a roll of film but during many of the 74 years of it’s production Kodachrome was the choice of professionals and amateurs to photograph from National Geographic assignments to everyday experiences. So what made this film so special? Kodachrome was one of the first commercially available colour films; first in motion picture formats and almost immediately for still photography. It’s unique process where colour dyes were added during development made the emulsion layer thinner which ultimately resulted in a sharper image since less light was dispersed through the celluloid. Kodachrome’s colour rendition and archival qualities (particularly when kept in the dark) were also exceptional making it the stock of choice for photographers like Steve McCurry (http://www.stevemccurry.com), Alex Webb (http://www.magnumphotos.com/alexwebb) and David Alan Harvey (http://www.davidalanharvey.com/).
Live the Kodachrome experience them yourself at:
A Celebration of Kodachrome
18 January - 10 February 2011
OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 10AM-6PM
Association of Photographers
81 Leonard Street
London
EC2A 4QS
By photographer Pablo Antoli
