The Harman Phoenix, an experimental film new to the market. It’s been on the shelves for a few months now with its release back at the beginning of December 2023, but how has it been holding up? Well I’m now a few rolls in on this film and these are some of my results.
Taking my first two rolls up to Oregon on a family vacation, I was very excited to shoot it in the forest and on the coastline. Sending my first roll off to my lab, I was sorely disappointed with what came back as I thought I had good exposure on each shot (so those images will remain behind closed binders).
I had shot both rolls at the same time and finished them after another, but after only sending one in I wasn't sure how to approach my second one with developing. I chose to wait and once I had an overflowing shelf of completed rolls I decided to drop some money and develop that second roll on my own. I chose to push it by 1 in developing and it was possibly the best decision I did since I pulled the roll by 0.5 stop during shooting.
I wanted to continue with my current set up of using my trusty Minolta X-700, but this time I decided to slap on my Rokkor-X PG 50mm f/1.4 and have fun shooting just a single prime lens instead of trying to shift my focal distance on my 28-80mm.
I took the third roll of Phoenix in my arsenal of film down to the Irvine Spectrum Center to spend time with a friend who was visiting from out of state, then later that weekend to the Santa Monica Pier for a night of drinks with my fellow film photographers.
This third roll was my best of overall images, although my camera decided it wanted to be a bit lazy on the shooting. I’m not able to show many of the images as some are missing due to issues with my shutter curtain not fully opening, but luckily that didn't stop it from capturing some wonderful scenes when it decided to work.
Phoenix is very picky in what conditions it favors, there is no denying that. With its extremely low latitude, heavy contrast, crushed shadows if not exposed correctly, and heavy grain, Phoenix is a film that is not for everyone. Although, if shot in the right conditions, I do believe that it can give a wonderful vintage aesthetic.
Still experimental and only a few months in to its release to the public, I have high hopes for it in the future. I personally enjoyed shooting Phoenix enough that even after writing this I’ll be loading up a fourth roll.. except this time it’ll be in my Minolta Hi-Matic G as decided on my IG story.
Follow here for more updates of how that roll turns out!
Please check out my website to see all the images that I have taken so far of this roll! It really does help to do so and if you donate as well 🤍
https://www.kws.photography/blog/harman-phoenix-burn-bright
"Capturing the wondrous golden light of the afternoon sun breaking through the bay clouds, shining bright as a Phoenix’s flames as a couple stands at the edge of the cliffside admiring the Gate’s construction."
Limited prints available here
