Shooting with vintage cokin filters

Blue filter and star filter - the stars are cut out from regular printing paper

Recently, I was lucky enough to get my hands on some old Cokin filters (probably from the 80s). My last few rolls have all been black and white, so I never had the opportunity to try the colored filters (technically you can still use them and get different results - but not what I had in mind). I decided to shoot a roll of Kodak Ultramax to try them out, but I must admit it felt challenging to come up with ideas. After each roll, I write down how I feel about it and what I like/don’t like, and as always a reminder to shoot less ‘random’ photos. Maybe that sounds counterintuitive because this is supposed to feel more ‘free’, but I truly enjoy creating more staged shoots, self portraits, double exposures and using filters.

The diffuser that I’ve previously enjoyed on some of my black and white rolls came off too strong on here - instead, I enjoyed the star filter much more because it gave the shots a softer look without making them look unsharp.

I was happy I got these double exposures and flower photos because honestly, it was not one of my best rolls - but these shots really saved it. This is part of the journey though, and I’m really enjoying learning new things with every roll.

Blue filter star filter on both exposures

Double exposure with a combination of a blue filter and a gradual mauve filter

Blue filter paired with star filter. I placed glass from a picture frame in front of the rose and sprayed it with water.

Gradual mauve filter, and one of my tops in front of the camera

Double exposure - Blue filter paired with star filter. I placed glass from a picture frame in front of the rose and sprayed it with water.

Gradual mauve filter and star filter

Blue filter in the first shot, possibly gradual mauve in the second

Blue filter and star filter

Gradual mauve and multi image

Blue filter and diffuser - I like this shot but feel like it would be better with just the blue filter

Blue filter and diffuser

Reflection in the water - with blue filter and diffuser

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Self-portraits on film