There was a time when every photo I took seemed to work, as if I had cracked the code to composition and subject matter. But after enough repetition, that magic faded. What once felt instinctive started to feel mechanical. This piece is about that moment, when the familiar becomes dull, and the only way forward is to unlearn what you know. Its about losing yourself on purpose, breaking old habits, and finding a new tone behind the camera.

Ten hours, two stops, one ferry, a darkroom full of inspiration, and a car full of ideas for what’s next.

I just finished reading that piece about how we should stop making digital look like film and my first thought was: does it really matter? Photography has never been about following strict rules. It’s always been about experimenting, bending the tools, and trying to make them fit our vision.

Your photos won’t magically become better because your camera has the latest firmware or a slightly sharper lens. The only thing that matters is the result, the images you make, and the joy you get from making them.

This is not your clean, clinical film stock. Phoenix II is grainy (though not as extreme as the first Phoenix), inconsistent in its range, and unpredictable in all the ways that make it both frustrating and fun.

Shooting XPan is pure joy, scanning XPan is pure pain. Flatbeds don’t know what to do with the wide frames, and dedicated 35mm scanners throw in the towel at “normal.” Which is why the Valoi 120 system became my saving grace.

Safe is wack.
If a photo feels too easy, it’s probably forgettable. Safe frames blend into the scroll. Risky ones, where you push past comfort, break rules, even fail, are the ones that demand attention.

✨ We’ve got some exciting news to share!

I ordered the Contax T2 on July 1st… and basically stopped sleeping properly after that. Not because of stress. Because of pure, childlike excitement.

There’s something about the imperfect that feels… perfect.

Still a Legend?

There are places that don’t just stay in your memory. They echo. Hong Kong is one of those places for me.

No screens. No preview buttons. Just 27 frames and whatever the streets had to offer.

Shoot what you love. Not what’s trending.

“It`s easy when its not so hard” - Taiga Kush

So, who gets to call themselves a photographer?

We cling to the old ways not just out of nostalgia, but because of how they make us feel. There’s joy in the effort. Magic in the unknown.

There’s something I love about both worlds. With digital, I get control. I can fine-tune everything until the image feels just right. With analog, there’s this beautiful unpredictability, but also the constant pressure of limited chances. Every press of the shutter costs money. It’s like walking a tightrope between freedom and risk.

A film side by side

Shooting with the Hasselblad XPan feels more like composing a scene than just taking a photo. You only get 21 shots, and every one feels like a little gamble. No preview. No second chances.