Lucky Mistakes

I wonder if people are aware of how many cosmic accidents are actually involved in film photography. It would be embarrassing to admit how many of my favorite shots in recent years have come from pure serendipity. You might think it is the impostor syndrome talking, and yes, there is some of that. But not entirely. 

You see, when you shoot film, you act on an idea or an instinctive impulse, but that’s it, that’s where your part ends. Then the Universe takes it from there: millimetric coincidences in the lighting, the lens, the camera, the film, the energy. Things you could have never planned for in a million years — they all come into the mix to create an unexpected story. And this story can take a million shapes.

Whatever skills, whatever intentions you had, are only second in importance.

That’s analog photography.

Sorry, I’m not here to lecture you about the deep workings of the cosmos (or am I?), I just wanted to mention that among all the lucky mistakes I’ve managed to make in the years I’ve been doing film, some of which ended up being exhibition-worthy with a little help from the mysteries of the Universe; the ones that surprised me the most were the double or triple exposures.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve always felt intimidated by double exposures on film.

The sole attempt adds too much risk to the already risky equation. And even on digital, they are only decent after some good practical knowledge of light and shadow interaction.

So imagine my surprise when they come out as occasional random accidents in a film roll, narrating a fuzzy, intricate, Lynch-esque story using my very own words, but without my explicit participation.

Oh, those rare lucid moments when you are so grateful you didn’t get what you thought you wanted…

If you liked some of my lucky mistakes and are feeling curious about my unfortunate hits, check my Insta or my website.

Thanks for reading :)