.November 2025.

Pushing film has been a theme for me this year, one part experimental, another part chasing the fading daylight—and I may have been a little overzealous this month. Essentially, attempting to maintain a large zone focus while retaining f/8-f/16 and a fast shutter in lower light conditions. Overall, I have been happy with the results as I am leaning toward grit and desaturation in my work. Eventually landing somewhere between raw and crisp.

I pushed Kodak Gold 200 3-stops as if it were ISO1600, and it was quite unforgiving. Absolutely crushed the tones, leaving green hues in the shadows, likely due to improper exposure. Although I was able to salvage more than a handful of photos across 4 rolls, most aren’t compositionally appealing either. Not my best work. Yet the challenge remains and the craft persists–I love it.

I noticed for light-dominant frames, when Gold is pushed 3-stops, yielded results similar to box speed [200] only with added grain–Wheaties level grain with extra crunch. Now Kentmere [Black and White film] seems to handle any kind of abuse, I see myself taking that to 3200/6400 near future just for fun. It has great latitude, Kodak Gold, does not… perhaps I must nail the exposure. I am still interested in high contrast photos and really embracing the shadows. From what I understand the further you push a film that has less latitude [a films’ ability to produce an acceptable image based on stretching its’ exposure limits] the exposure window shrinks; essentially a smaller margin for error.

I’m still searching for my pocket, my groove–honing an artistic style. I also must continue to remind myself I’ve only been at this for about two years and to lower expectations. Despite having sub-par results measured on a personal basis. My goal was to get back to fun and experimental, and that is what was reflected this month.

I figured reconnecting with some nature closer to home would do me good. I revisted a few hiking trails where I spent the majority of my youth, along the 12 Mile creek as well as boulder hopping up to Balls Falls. Came back to the city feeling refreshed, I hit the streets with some Cine film capturing some of my favourite photos this month–aligning with the aesthetic I am looking for. Followed the momentum into the Santa Claus Parade and experimented pushing Gold… and was crushed.

Pushing film and leaning into latitude certainly has its artistic benefits, but also comes with a cost of precision. You can’t beat the fading light by upping the ante through ISO, I need to adapt and exist within it.