Kirk says, “Film has soul. Film has feeling. Digital has it’s purpose but film satisfies me. That is why I shoot film at every wedding.”
Kirk has been featured in over a dozen of the worlds biggest and well known wedding blogs. He runs hybrid workshops that sell out fast and he builds Lightroom presets to get that film look from digital files.
Here’s some more of what we cover:
Special Presets Promo Code
If you'd like to purchase any of Kirk's film presets head to mastinlabs.com and use the discount code: PHOTOBIZ25 to save 25% off any purchase until Jan 1, 2015.
The scarier the risk is, probably the better it is to do it.
The presets are for both Adobe Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw to achieve a film look to both Fuji and Kodak colour films with Ilford B&W presets coming soon.
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with links to your version of this episode where you can hear lots more content from where we dive deeper into some of the earlier topics plus some new ones that I pushed hard for that include:
In addition to the extra audio content, Kirk has made available his PDF brochure that we discussed in the premium half of the interview. Details are in your members area.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Kirk or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
If you’d like an easy way to show Kirk your thanks, and support for the show at the same time, click the link to create a tweet and automatically show you’re listening: https://photobizx.com/tweet
The Resources Page
Remember the ever expanding resources page that has a listing of products, programs, hardware, books and directories mentioned in each episode of the show. If you’re looking for something that a guest has mentioned on a previous episode but just can’t remember who or what it was – you’ll find it listed in order on the resources page.
iTunes ratings, reviews and Shout-Outs
Each week before recording the podcast I check iTunes for any reviews and each week I’m excited to see what you’ve had to say about the podcast. This week I was happy to see a five star rating and review from Ddjw from Australia.
I'm not entirely sure who Ddjw is but if you let me know, I'll happily add links to your website and feel like I'm giving a proper shout out – thanks though, either way.
I appreciate the time you’ve taken and it’s a big help for the show. It’s these iTunes reviews that make a big difference to the podcast being ranked well and found in the iTunes store. If you have the time and are happy to leave an honest rating and review, head over to iTunes.
Thanks for your recommendation
I often encourage listeners to suggest interview guests, topics you'd like to hear covered and other show suggestions. Today's interview came about because Kirk was suggested as a perfect guest for the show at the recommendation of both:
Chris & Shae of Owl Creek Photography and Timothy Ladamson. Thank you both (or all three) for your suggestion!
Do You Have a Question about Your Business or Marketing?
Yes, there's still time to have your questions answered.
I’m planning a Q&A episode over the Christmas and New Year period and would love your questions! Feel free to email me or use the voicemail option on this page. You can be as detailed and specific to your business or circumstances as you like. And, you can remain anonymous if you refer.
I think you can sacrifice talent for customer service
Alternatively, if you’d like to get in touch, ask a question about or make a suggestion for the show, you can email me andrew@photobizx.com, find me on Twitter https://twitter.com/andrewhellmich or on Facebook at https://photobizx.com/facebook – I’d love to hear from you!
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Kirk Mastin – Mastin Studio
Kristen Kalp interview on PhotoBizX
Rebecca and Morgan Blog post with my ‘new' approach
Equipment
Kodak Portra 400 Professional ISO 400, 35mm, 36 Exposures, Color Negative Film (5 Roll per Pack )
Kodak 35mm Professional Portra Color Film (ISO 160) 6031959
Sekonic L-358 Flash Master Light Meter – 401-358
Fujifilm Fujicolor Pro 400H Color Negative Film ISO 400, 120mm, 5 Roll Pro Pack
Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks Kirk for being an awesome guest!
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Thank you for this, it was informative and inspiring 🙂 I love shooting with film, it is the medium used while studying photography and also when I was a kid photographing my family and holidays.
These days I have a medium format Bronica camera but I don’t use it much. I guess it is partly cost and partly the fact that film production uses animal based products and being vegan this is a bit tricky for me!
Film is beautiful and has a special atmosphere about it so I love to follow photographers who use it.
Thanks again for another great interview!
Johanna
Hi Johanna – so glad to read you enjoyed this episode with Kirk. You sounds as passionate about film as he does.
I did not know that film production uses the skeletons of animals! You must be totally committed to your vegan lifestyle if animal skeletons for film production are crossing a line. Good on you! It must be tough at times.
Hopefully you have found plugins or presets to get that “film look” with your digital files. If so, what are you using?
I use VSCO a lot and then tweak the presets to get the look I like 🙂 I’ll have a look into Kirk’s presets too.
Oh thank you, I try my best with being vegan but it’s a bit hard to be 100% these days 🙂
Yep, VSCO seems to be the standard. Let me know if you try Kirk’s presets and how they work out for you – it’d be good to get a listeners feedback and impressions, especially as a VSCO user.
so refreshing to have heard this interview, and what funny timing Andrew, just on receiving your xt-1, especially when it gives a live preview and Kirk saying that you have to visualise the outcome. I personally loved my nikon fm’s when I started out and I think I too miss the raw feel that film gave you, I really think you can tell the difference, hard to but i think you can, after looking at Kirks work there is something just magical about the look. Nice work Kirk and will be a follower for sure.
That was funny timing Paul 🙂 I’ve been playing with the XT1 and the “what you see is what you get” preview is pretty awesome.
Kirk’s enthusiasm for film photography was infectious though and it’s something I could see myself exploring again.
I was cleaning out the garage today and found a couple of old Nikon F90x’s and expired film. I may yet become that hipster film photographer… now, where did I put that bow tie?
Good luck with the fuji’s mate…..I changed over to a complete fiji Xt-1 system at the start of the season and don’t regret it in the slightest…great system…fantastic to shoot with and so light. ! especially love the “see what you get” aspect of the EV……
I was forced to make changes because of a bulging disc issue in my neck…..now I can walk around with two bodies and I hardly know they are there….feel kinda rejuvenated….started off carrying a couple of leica’s around a long time ago !!
cheers Dodge
Thanks Dodge – so good to hear your transition went so well. I’m just off a conversation to Dean Dampney about his approach to weddings with the XT1’s. Overall, his experience sounds like a reflection of yours. I’m excited to start using mine for paid gigs once I have everything dialled in.
The weight difference is definitely something I’m looking forward to! Out of interest, what bag are you using to carry your kit?
Ooooh, I’ve never shot a Leica (or held one) but there is a definitely a mystique about them. Do you still have yours?
Speak soon
Andrew
Hey Andrew, this is one of the best interviews I’ve heard. He is so much like me its scary. Very inspirational and enjoyable. Well done.
Enjoy your Fuji.
catch up soon
Chris
Thanks Chris – it’s nice to rally resonate with someone and I could’t think of a nicer bloke to resonate with than Kirk. It was a pleasure speaking to him; his enthusiasm and passion for photography and film was infectious. Gotta love guys like that!
It’s only been a day but getting to know the Fuji has been fun so far.
Speak soon
Andrew
This was a great interview! I Got into photography somewhere in the transition from film to digital so I learned on digital. Despite that I have always loved film. It’s the perfect blend of physics and chemistry coming together to make something beautiful. Digital is sort of a black box, but with film I can understand exactly what is going on to go from light to print. That being said, I haven’t shot film for about 2 years now. But I think I will follow Kirk’s advice and find a pro lab instead of trying to get a deal. I’m excited to start adding film into my professional woekfliw, not just my personal work!
And that is awesome about your new XT1! I have been drooling over the fuji cameras and can’t wait to sell off my canon gear and go full fuji. I have never liked the way digital cameras handle, and I love the aperture ring and shutter speed dial that the fuji has. I actually think fuji could be an amazing compliment to film cameras because of that.
Oh, and thanks for bringing Kirk on, and for the shout out! Kirk was my wife and I’s first choice to shoot our wedding, but unfortunately his starting price would have used up our entire budget. That’s what I get for getting married as a poor college kid.
Hi Chris – great to read you caught this episode already and enjoyed it. Thanks again for the recommendation, Kirk was a fantastic guest!
It’s interesting to read your thoughts that digital is the “black box” and film isn’t. I reckon that’d be the opposite to most shooters today. I guess it depends on where people started from in their photography journey.
I agree – the Fuji’s feel more like a film camera with their dials and aperture ring than any cameras I’ve used since going digital.
Let me know when you make the jump – I’d be interested to hear about your experiences.
Happy christmas to you and Shae!
Well I’m a bit of a chemist geek with my day job, so I tend to understand chemicals more than sensors, but maybe I meant that film is much more “tactile” and you can feel more involved in the creation of the photograph.
I will definitely let you know when I get myself a fuji. I’m not sure how soon it will be but I’m excited! And I’m sure you will let us all know how you are with yours as well!
Hi Andrew- Great interview. Kirk is a great guy with a wonderful attitude and a rock solid business sense. His Mastin Labs preset packs are KILLER. I’ve been shooting weddings for 15 years and was all film until about 2005, when I became a hybrid shooter. I am an experienced darkroom printer and still love film. I still shoot film and love it. The thing that caused me to slowly abandon film for weddings was the disappearance of my 3 favorite films: Fuji Neopan 400, Fuji Neopan 1600 and Kodak Ultra Color 400, as well as the shortage of high speed color films. The final push was falling in love with the look and experience of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras and VSCO Film. I switched over completely to Fujifilm X-Pro1 system two years ago (to the day!) and added the X100s. I left DSLRs cold turkey and switched to Fuji and I haven’t looked back. My results have been even better than DSLRs and the physical, tactile controls like the real aperture rings and shutter dials make them instant and instinctive like Leica rangefinders. The lenses are world class and the weight savings, nearly silent operation and have made them an ideal fit for my way of working.
So good to read about your experiences with Fuji Brad!
I’ll be advertising my Nikon gear any day now – I’m ready to commit after a few shoots under my belt with the XT1.
Funnily enough, following the interview, I dusted off my old F90X and plan to put some film through it when I can… Kirk’s influence.
I haven’t used Kirk’s film presets yet, I’ve been happy with “Exposure” but will check em out after your rap.
Great to have you listening!
Merry Christmas.
Great interview. Kirk is a great guy with a wonderful attitude and a rock solid business sense. His Mastin Labs preset packs are KILLER. I’ve been shooting weddings for 15 years and was all film until about 2005, when I became a hybrid shooter. I am an experienced darkroom printer and still love film. I still shoot film and love it. The thing that caused me to slowly abandon film for weddings was the disappearance of my 3 favorite films: Fuji Neopan 400, Fuji Neopan 1600 and Kodak Ultra Color 400, as well as the shortage of high speed color films. The final push was falling in love with the look and experience of Fujifilm mirrorless cameras and VSCO Film. I switched over completely to Fujifilm X-Pro1 system two years ago (to the day!) and added the X100s. I left DSLRs cold turkey and switched to Fuji and I haven’t looked back. My results have been even better than DSLRs and the physical, tactile controls like the real aperture rings and shutter dials make them instant and instinctive like Leica rangefinders. The lenses are world class and the weight savings, nearly silent operation and have made them an ideal fit for my way of working. I can’t say enough about them, especially if you partner them with film cameras.
Yet another great interview!
I didn’t know how much information would be applicable from an interview with someone who shoots solely on film, but boy I was wrong… As usual the biggest takeaways seem to be ‘be yourself’ and ‘only show the pictures you want to shoot’ – Such good advice and I can’t wait to implement it on my new website.
I loved what Kirk said about not being able to instantly review the pictures with film. I think when we shoot digitally we are totally guilty of thinking about way too many things at once. Instead of ‘just’ shooting, we are almost pre-editing the shoot in our heads. Just that act of going from viewfinder to screen every time breaks that continuity Kirk must feel when he shoots.
That said, I’m not going to stop shooting digitally! I might try and spend more time in that viewfinder though..
Cheers chaps!
I thought the same thing, wondering how applicable it would be, but wow! I took so much away from this interview. It’s got me looking into digging out my old film cameras and searching for a good lab to do some film work just for me! I think my old F801 has seen better days though, so might have to do some hunting on ebay. I actually could see film really fitting in well with my business too – this interview has given me so much to think about and get excited by!
F801 – now that brings back some memories Anjella! My first camera was the F601, couldn’t afford the 801 at the time.
Great to read you enjoyed this episode!
Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thanks Damian!
I was concerned that some listeners would switch off when they saw the podcast episode would be focussed on film but like you say, there was so much more!
I won’t be making the jump to film either but will put a roll through one of my old cameras for fun.
Being in the middle of a system swap to Fuji, I’m having to slow down and think more about my shots and I have to say, I like the results. I can definitely see the attraction to film and the requirement to slow down and thinking before shooting.
Have a great Christmas!
Kirk I loved this interview. Thank you so much!
I went to school for cinematography the year before the 5D came out, and our school really tried pushing us to shoot our thesis on a canon xl2. I couldn’t get over the part of going to film school and not shooting my thesis on film. I reached out to kodak as they came out with their vision 3 stock and learned everything I could. Went to every presentation, talked to every cinematographer I could, and the result was amazing. The 5D II came out and…. I just lost touch with film.
Everything you said brought me back to the days I would carry my light meter with me everywhere. Everyday waiting for the call from the lab when my scans were ready.
“The delayed gratification” like you said is what was the best part.
I just pulled out the old k1000 and loaded it up. Im gonna shoot a roll at my next wedding.
Thanks again so much Kirk!!
Raymond
So good to read your comments Raymond!
I too dug up an old film camera, the Nikon F90X and plan to put a roll or two through the old beast.
Have a great Christmas – great to have you listening and commenting.
What a great and inspiring interview! Already knowing and appreciating Kirk Mastin’s name and work before this interview (I love your photos, Kirk!), my interest was definitely piqued from the get-go when I saw his name, even though I really didn’t think the film information and inspiration would apply to me. I was wrong! I gained a ton of wisdom and great info from every bit of this interview! I can’t reasonably list it all here. Not only am I newly-interested in film and grateful for all of the detailed info, but I totally related to and appreciated hearing that Kirk feels jaded and burnt out after shooting so many weddings in a year too (I’m not alone!). The encouragement to take big risks when you’re ready for a change (like doubling pricing for destination weddings, as Kirk did) was exactly what I needed to hear for this coming year. Thank you! One topic that wasn’t touched on at all that I think Kirk has totally mastered, is SEO. I moonlight as a wedding photographer in the Seattle area when I’m lucky enough to visit “home” (I’m based in the Caribbean most of the time now) and Kirk’s website pops up front and center on page ONE in a Google search for Seattle wedding photographers (which is obviously a gigantic, saturated market for photographers of all sorts), not only as the very first listing for Google maps/places (as far as I know, this is not something that can be paid for), but also as the second listing in totally organic (non-paid) Google search listings. That is a feat and I don’t doubt that he has great information to share about what steps he’s taken to accomplish that. Maybe we need another interview with you already, Kirk! At any rate, thanks for the great info. “Peak-beard” is now infused into my husband’s and my vocabulary (we are Seattle hipsters at heart…). 🙂 Thanks for another great interview, Andrew! I’m signing up for Premum membership right away because I simply can’t justify gaining so much great info from these top-notch interviews as a free-loader any longer.
Hi Megan – loved reading your comments and so happy to read how much you took from this interview with Kirk. Judging from the response I’ve had, there are a ton of listeners looking to revisit the idea of shooting film or try it for the first time. Love to hear how you go with it.
Thanks for the heads up on Kirk’s SEO prowess, I’ll definitely see if I can twist his arm for another interview in 2015. Like you, I found Kirk a fountain of knowledge and wisdom and could have talked for much longer.
You’re based in the Caribbean! That must be fan-bloody-tastic. Is that something that just happened by luck or something that you planned and aimed for?
Look forward to chatting more and having you as a premium member!
[…] Kirk Mastin Podcast […]
Oh wow thanks for the mention! I’m sure it was a great interview but it seems I’ve come a little too late.
Either way, glad you had Kirk on the show, he’s got a really great philosophy and obviously makes gorgeous photos.
No problem Timothy and no matter you’re a few episodes behind.
Kirk was a fantastic guest and one I hope to have back on the show some time.
Brilliant podcast full of ideas. Kirk has inspired me to get a film camera – yes it is a point and shoot, an Olympus XA-2. I did some beach shots and it rocked silhouettes then did some street photography at Chinese New Year. Great timing as 3 local photographers (Geelong) opened up a coffee shop/film processing shop called Analogue Academy, they class themselves as independent film processors and even do hand processing for B&W. I got my scans back and was excited even though the photos all had a strange black blob at the top. They gave me some tips of what it might be but if it can’t be fixed I am hooked and will hunt down another camera. I love love love that there was no photoshop required
HEy Helen – so good to read your comments.
I LOVE the idea of a simple (film) point and shoot to revisit film!
Sounds like you have the beginning of a cool relationship with an indie film lab too – very hip 🙂
Hope you can sort the “black blob” issue, that doesn’t sound too attractive.
You gotta add a link to some of your film photos once you have them on your site – I’d be keen to check em out.
Hi Andrew, you can see a couple on Instagram – Don’t worry it is a new account so not many to look through 🙂 I have a film and I-phone photo of Chinese New Year, then there is a film and DSLR photo of a dog at the beach at sunset – notice the different colour :-). https://instagram.com/helengreenphotos
Haha, love your warning Helen 🙂
There is a definite difference isn’t there.
That’s it – I’m on the lookout for a film point and shoot.
I really enjoyed this podcast!! I am always excited to listen to interviews about film. I got interested in film photography this past year. I love the look and feel of the images!
Mr. Mastin mentioned that he does his own scanning. I am sure his scanner is top-of-the-line, but I was wondering if he has any suggestions on good quality, inexpensive scanners. I would love to explore the idea of scanning my own images.
Hi Aidee – great to read your comments, I’ll make sure Kirk knows about your question and see if we can get an answer.
I’ve had a few requests to hear more film photographers on the podcast and you’ll be happy to know I have a couple lined up – the next being Jonathan Canlas in a few weeks. Keep an eye out for that one.
Hi Aidee,
I use a Fuji Frontier SP3000, the top of the line lab scanner in the Frontier line up (still it is over 10 years old!.)
To get a similar look, the only other alternative is a Pakon F135 with Digital ICE. They used to be about $250 but have grown in popularity in the last 2 years and now cost up to $800. Still, they are worth every penny. The only drawback is that they are 35mm film only, no 120/220 scanning ability.
Kirk
have listened to this a few times now – still one of my favourites. this podcast is one of the main reasons I just shot my recent trip to Rome all in film! Overexposed! Definitely loved the feeling of slowing down, not just happy snapping, and the delayed gratification…can’t wait to see how they come out (fingers crossed). Was just what I needed to reignite my love affair with photography again, hoping I can get good enough and start to incorporate film into my weddings. Thanks so much again for this.
Thanks Caroline, I know Kirk will be rapt to read your comments and I really should be chasing him up for another interview – this is one of the “special” interviews form all those I’ve recorded.
Love to hear how your photos from Rome turn out!
[…] Andrew has interviewed a ton of incredible photographers such as Fer Juaristi, Jonas Peterson, Kirk Mastin, and Sue Bryce just to name a few. Andrew never asks the same questions to each guest and he’s […]