The photo installation “A Love Letter to Film” uses 35mm film to explore distortion in photography. Composed of sixteen images, this series showcases my experience of living in Ann Arbor during the 2023-2024 school year. Incorporating elements of traditional and digital media by scanning them allows for a more in-depth investigation of the intersection of technology and nostalgia. Due to the cost of development and access around the University, I developed all of the film in the basement of my house. Using regular and expired film with three
cameras allowed me to produce unique mistakes and imperfections. These combinations created distortions such as color change, grain, and light exposure leaks.
“A Love Letter to Film” challenges the preconceived “perfection” of photographic imagery by characterizing film distortion not as a flaw, but as a feature. With keen attention to detail and a passion for experimentation, I push the boundaries of what a beautiful photograph can look like.
