How to get different effects with old film cameras?

AhWhatNow

I've decided to get into photography, so my father's given me an old Pentax PC 35R and a Yashica Zoom 105.
I like the look of old over-saturated photos and light-leaks and I'm wondering how I could go about getting those types of effects with above mentioned cameras?
Thank you

amdgilmore

AhWhatNow wrote: »

I've decided to get into photography, so my father's given me an old Pentax PC 35R and a Yashica Zoom 105.
I like the look of old over-saturated photos and light-leaks and I'm wondering how I could go about getting those types of effects with above mentioned cameras?
Thank you

Saturation largely depends on the film. Cross-processed slide film is very colourful, and is possibly the look you're thinking of (if you post examples maybe you could get more specific answers).

Light leaks are a little trickier to do intentionally on 35mm, unless you want to physically damage your camera to let light in.


I've used a few methods to get light leaks. Off the top of my head:

1. Open the camera back, with the exposed film inside, in a dark room, with just a crack of light coming through the doorway.

2. Expose the film to a muffled or very low-intensity flash in a film-changing bag.

3. On medium format systems with detachable film backs you can get a more controlled effect by taking the darkslide out of the camera back in a bright broom. This will ruin one frame, but create a less pronounced light leak at the top of the next frame.


As another option, some of the lomography cameras have built-in defects that produce light leaks.

And of course you could always download a Photoshop plugin for light leaks and other film effects, if you feel like sucking all the joy out of the process.