For the past few weeks I’ve been looking into the best way to scan some negatives which I brought back with me from Sydney at the beginning of the year – just a small bunch of old and somewhat recent film, images that I’d like to include in my upcoming book (commonly referred to as the book). First I asked all my photographer friends here if they had a neg scanner – I figured at least one of them would have one since they all used to shoot film back in the day. But alas, no! Which was interesting. Then I looked online to see if any of my local photography shops scanned negs, but I also checked out the prices of neg scanners while I was at it. Long story short, after getting a hefty quote for scanning a few negs I thought it worth investing in a neg scanner of my own as I’d like to start shooting film again soon. Yesterday the neg scanner arrived in the mail and even though it took a while to set up, I soon got the hang of it by scanning a few random negatives from my neg folders. What is no doubt much more interesting to you though, is what I found among those random negatives: a spoon.
This spoon is possibly my favourite spoon of all time. I haven’t seen it for years, and I’m not even sure if it still exists. I think – I hope – it is in my storage unit back in Sydney. It has a history which probably dates back to before my ownership of it, but its history with me is special: I bought it about ten years ago , possibly at a flea market, when I had my store. And then when I opened the teahouse I put it on display there, behind the counter, resting on a little nail in the wall. However one of the staff knocked it unfortunately, and it broke. But I loved it too much to get rid of it. So I bound the two broken pieces rather crudely with some metal wire (time was of the essence back then) and over the years it fused together with rust. I must have taken a photo of it at some point in the last decade with my canon ae-1 and now, all the way over here in my home away from home, I have been reunited with my spoon again via this photo. Today, thanks to this spoon, this photograph, I am inspired.
xx
PS This is the original photo scanned straight from negative, untouched, unaltered. I just love it. I might have to find a place for this photo in the book I think.
PPS I still think about opening another teahouse one day. I know it’s crazy since the last one nearly killed me, but I do think I’d do it soooo much better this time and really, how many cafés out there know how to make a proper chai these days? I need to bring back the chai.
PPPS I want to say thank you to everyone who has been leaving such luscious compliments about my writing of late. I can’t tell you how much that means to me since the book is filled with such writings, and your encouragement inspires me everyday. So, thank you.
such a beautiful photograph. i was wondering if you could share the name of the negative scanner you purchased, i have been wanting one.
August 26th, 2010 | #
Fantastic idea! My neg scan got lost somewhere, and my (professional) printer charges 25€ for each image he scans and gets print-ready, which makes me be veeery selective with what I choose to produce.
Which one did you buy and were from, if you don’t mind me asking?
That spoon is beautiful and needs to be in the book I think! So you. Special, unasuming, with a story to tell… I like how you fixed it in the best way you could, spur of the moment, not bound by perfectionism. I would have left it aside and thought of ways to best repair it, forgetting of course that acting fast is usually best. And to me, not linked to that spoon by personal history, the message is: time does heal, and: act now and you’ll get help along the way.
Not just a spoon indeed 🙂
xx
August 26th, 2010 | #
lovely nadia and itsasne, I bought a canon 8800F scanner. I usually don’t like to write about a particular product like that until I’ve used it thoroughly and can therefore endorse it to the fullest, but so far it’s good. The software it came with was dated though and didn’t work properly at first, but Romain got the updates and it worked after that, though I’d like to see if it stays that way. Plus it wasn’t great going through photoshop (maybe it’s because I have an older version?) so I’m using something called Silver Fast.
Love your additional thoughts to this post itsasne, thank you. And yes, that’s the quote I got too – I realised I have a large number of negs to scan, so it was more affordable to get a scanner of my own.
x
August 26th, 2010 | #
this is a beautiful and inspiring post 🙂
Other than the fact that the spoon is beautiful, it always carries stories with it. Thank you for sharing <3
August 26th, 2010 | #
Oh, I love the photo!! and the spoon. Every time American boy has a film to scan, we make it a treat. I take a seat on his huge desk, we make tea and stay up all night. The small “mistakes” like spots, hair etc, and the amazing clarity in film that digital can’t reproduce the same way, it makes the images so, so beautiful!
Can’t wait to for your book Pia, I’m so excited!
August 26th, 2010 | #
Hi Pia, recently found your blog and love it. Re: scanner, my partner is a photographer and often shoots with an old Lubitel, so we have one of these and it’s well worth the money. You can also scan in old slides which is great as all our family photos were put on them when I was a child. (Although you can’t beat a good slideshow)
Really looking forward to your book, if this photo is anything to go by it will be a treat indeed.
August 26th, 2010 | #
such a beautiful story!
and yes, please open a tea shop 🙂 one that serves breakfast-type goodies all day.
August 26th, 2010 | #
I loved reading about your spoon. I always enjoy going back to my parents and opening up old boxes of photographs I took because it’s an instant step into the past, and nostalgia is beautiful.
🙂
August 26th, 2010 | #
This is a beautiful snap and a lovely spoon! The scan looks to have come out really well. I have been looking at getting a neg scanner also as I use a lot of film.
xx
August 27th, 2010 | #
What a dear and fetching little spoon. Its story is as lovely as your photo. Have a beautiful time bonding with your negative scanner.
August 27th, 2010 | #
It’s the little everyday things that come entwined with stories and memories that are so special. I’ve a honey pot my grandmother used…it’s temporarily misplaced just now, in a box in my Dad’s garage I hope. I love it to bits.
I’m so pleased you shard the info on the scanner you selected…my Dad has so many pictures of exotic travels that would be so lovely to see once more and keep safe for my own children one day. I’ve been trying to decide what would be the best one to buy as a gift for his upcoming birthday!
And ‘the book’…I can hardly wait! Everyday you leave me inspired, happy and with a promise that hopes and dreams can be fulfilled with hard work. Thank you! x
August 27th, 2010 | #
I am glad you have been re-united with your long lost friend!
August 27th, 2010 | #
I loved this story. Though I didn’t see the spoon before it broke, I am certain that it is even more beautiful now with the repair.
August 28th, 2010 | #
Yes! Bring back the Chai! xo (Love the spoon and how great that you got a neg scanner!)
August 31st, 2010 | #