Photographers: What would you have taken on the last Kodachrome?

In My Humble Opinion
1

This is off my other thread that discusses the end of film but I guess back in 2015 Kodachrome ended the processing of Kodachrome film but as a final tribute, sent out 100 rolls to 100 of the worlds best photographers to take that one last set of shots.

My questions for photographers out there (assuming you were selected for such an honor).

  1. Do you feel worthy for such a major responsibility?

  2. What would you have taken pictures of?

Note - I would put in some links but the system will not let me.

2

I think it was earlier than that. The last roll of Kodachrome was officially processed on Jan 2011, so far as I can find on the net. Although somebody in Australia seemed to have figured out the K-14 processing (or more like, in his words, a “butchered version” of it) in 2012, but that was not a commercial lab and he doesn’t offer processing services.

I haven’t the faintest clue. But if for some reason Kodak called me up, knowing my work (I’m in the wedding industry), I’d assume they wanted that kind of work, so I’d shoot at least parts of a South Asian wedding with that. The colors would be an appropriate use for Kodachrome stock and showing it off, and I doubt any of the other 99 photographers are shooting that. Do I get 100 rolls of it, or just 1? With just one, I’ll definitely have to be very selective, pulling some pictures from the mehndi (henna party), some from the pithi (a ceremony that includes smearing the bride or groom with turmeric paste), and then some nice portraits and moments during the wedding day itself. It’d be tough to limit it in 37-39 photos, but I’d give it a shot.

3

I’d go to the local race track and take pictures of the scoreboard before the races.

(Twilight Zone fans might get the reference.)

4

As it happens, the very last roll off the assembly line was used by the photographer Steve McCurry in part on a trip to India. Some of the frames are of Rabari tribesmen and women. The article and a slideshow are online.

5

I’d take a picture of Paul Simon.

6

  1. Do you feel worthy for such a major responsibility?
    Sure, why not? My view of the world is just as valid as any “serious” photographer’s.

  2. What would you have taken pictures of?
    Depends. How long do I have to complete the project? A day? A month? Do I get a 24-exposure roll or 36?

7

My thumb, probably.

This also answers question #1

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

8
  1. In a fit of irony, I would have filled the entire roll with pictures of digital cameras, memory cards/sticks and computer screens. The series would have ben titled “Kodachrome solves it own murder, no more film at 11”.

Based on my answer to question 2, I will let the reader decide the answer to question 1.

9

Excellent answer.

10

I can tell you what I did shoot on my last roll – lots of high-chroma, saturated pics. Google “Pete Turner” for who I was attempting to channel.

Kodachrome’s box was red and yellow, and those were the colors that really popped. Fujichrome was better at greens… and came in a green box.

11

The greens of summers, of course.

12

If you like high chroma, saturated colors, Fujichrome Velvia is your film of choice! It really makes reds pop (even moreso than Kodachrome 25). Kodachrome, while still punchy, was a bit more neutral in terms of colors, though I would agree that it favored the warm side of the spectrum and I think its reds were more believable than the supersaturated reds of Velvia. That said, I had a lot of fun with Velvia back in the day. Hey, it was the 90s, and punchy colors and high contrast were in vogue!

13

  1. Yes

  2. Pics of B&W photos, just for the irony. Coulda made millions!