the expired film project
I recently stumbled upon a box of expired film from over ten years ago, none of which had ever been refrigerated. Inspired by other photographers who have achieved stunning results with expired film, I decided to experiment with a few different rolls and cameras to see what would happen. The gallery below showcases shots from various formats—35mm, 120, and 220 film. To capture these, I used a mix of cameras, including a vintage Brownie, a Pentax 645 medium format, my trusty Canon EOS 1n, a vintage Canon AE-1, and a recent addition to my collection: a half-frame Kodak Ektar.
Given the film's age, I wasn’t expecting much, but to my surprise, the results were better than I had hoped. While the photos have their fair share of muddy shadows and noticeable grain, I find these imperfections add a certain charm and character to the images that I really love.
For those wondering, film has an expiration date because it deteriorates over time. Factors such as exposure to light, heat, and humidity can cause the emulsion layers—the part of the film that captures and holds the image—to break down. This leads to color shifts, loss of contrast, and increased grain, but sometimes, these effects create unique and unexpected results. - Mya
