atomic-raygun

The end of the Kodachrome era arrives as the last processor in the world prepares to halt processing when it runs out of chemicals.

"Kodachrome was used to film the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Abraham Zapruder taped the assassination of President Kennedy on it, and it produced iconic National Geographic images such as Steve McCurry’s 1984 portrait of Sharbat Gula, the green-eyed Afghan girl. Even the final photolab, Dwayne’s Photo, in Parson’s, Kansas, seems to be as full of history and myth as Kodachrome film itself. The film, first created in 1935, was beloved by professional photographers because of its colour accuracy and storage longevity. The downside was how incredibly difficult it was to process – meaning anyone working in Kodachrome sent their roll of film off to one of an ever-diminishing number of labs, and experienced the added frisson of not knowing whether their pictures had worked or not until the slides or transparencies were returned."

posted by

- 5:10 PM

Comments:

"Charles Weever Cushman, amateur photographer and Indiana University alumnus, bequeathed approximately 14,500 Kodachrome color slides to his alma mater. The photographs in this collection bridge a thirty-two year span from 1938 to 1969."

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/cushman/

# posted by

Molly Montale : 27 December, 2010 18:12

Most people still shooting film abandoned Kodachrome in the 90s when Fuji came out with their Velvias and such and Kodak is still making E6 chromes, so whatever. What bothers me more is the disappearance of the polaroid films Ansel Adams helped to develop. I can't even try it out anymore!

# posted by

candide : 28 December, 2010 02:37

Polaroid film:
http://www.the-impossible-project.com/ourfilm/

http://www.dwaynesphoto.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SExsuRIGAlg

# posted by

Molly Montale : 28 December, 2010 06:50

I know about the impossible project, but they aren't producing the P/N kind of film Ansel was using, I don't think they even have the technology to do it.

# posted by

candide : 28 December, 2010 07:41

it's up to you Candide! how hard can it be? you can't be the only one looking for it...or umm maybe you are..

# posted by

Call Me Lucy : 28 December, 2010 09:50

Candide pointed out the Impossible Project to me not long after it first started.

Lucy, you sound like you expect him to create a factory to manufacture and process one specific type of film.

# posted by

Osprey : 28 December, 2010 11:21

*sits on Lucy*

twice

# posted by

candide : 28 December, 2010 11:39

"Lucy Twice" would be a cool name - maybe for a children's book character.

# posted by

Osprey : 28 December, 2010 11:50

hey Os, did you baleete the double comment or was it a gogol glitch on my side?

anyhow, yes Lucy Twice is a good name. people could yell "Think Twice!" for example

# posted by

candide : 28 December, 2010 11:55

I baleeted it, yes, before your comment appeared to me. I usually get rid of double comments as the commenter can't but usually wants it gone.

# posted by

Osprey : 28 December, 2010 12:12

I shot six rolls at a kite festival once. Flyers from all over the world. A very big deal. The processor ran them thru the wrong batch. I ended up with six free rolls of film and screwed up slides. I was not happy.

# posted by

Molly Montale : 28 December, 2010 13:50

Argh - I bet.

# posted by

Osprey : 28 December, 2010 13:52

factory schmactory, he can do it in his basement...like micro breweries and artisanal bakeries ... local and hand processed!

# posted by

Lucy Twice : 28 December, 2010 15:09

Post a Comment