6.23.2009

don't take my kodachrome away



As you probably know by now, the Eastman Kodak Company announced Monday that it's retiring its most senior film because of declining customer demand in an increasingly digital age. The world's first commercially successful color film, immortalized in song by Paul Simon, spent 74 years in Kodak's portfolio. They give us those nice bright colors. They give us the greens of summers. Makes you think all the world's a sunny day.

Oh, yeah.

Indeed, Kodachrome was favored by still and motion picture photographers for its rich but realistic tones, vibrant colors and durability. It was the basis not only for countless family slideshows on carousel projectors over the years but also for world-renowned images, including Abraham Zapruder's 8-mm reel of President John F. Kennedy's assassination.

As a tribute to the film, Kodak has compiled on its website a gallery of iconic images, including Steve McCurry's Afghan girl and others from photographers Eric Meola and Peter Guttman.


Did you know? Unlike any other color film, Kodachrome is purely black and white when exposed. The three primary colors that mix to form the spectrum are added in three development steps rather than built into its layers. Because of the complexity in manufacturing, only Dwayne's Photo, in Parsons, Kansas, still processes Kodachrome film. The lab has agreed to continue through 2010, Kodak said.

Let the stockpiling begin.





:ylebiann via flickr; tribute to kodachrome

6 comments:

Jen said...

Grrr.... got here of my own volition, but it seems I can't get here via my google reader, which sends me to the old site.

I'll keep playing.

The image you have above is stunning, and I look forward to perusing the Kodak gallery of images.

Truly the end of an era.

Luisa Perkins said...

I was listening to that song just the other day....

I had no idea about the process; I'm so sad that it is going the way of all the world.

Anonymous said...

hI have never used Kodachrome (i'm pretty sure) but now, that's all I wanna use.
Ironic huh?
Thank you for your vivid, amusing, beautiful and inspiring blog. Me likey.

Giulia said...

I was so sorry to hear about this on NPR the other day. (& yes, without willing it, immediately Simon song pops into mind.) No working camera (I keep complaining) but fully expected to have something by autumn. So I've missed out for more than 4 years...it is a sad thing. The pix stay gorgeous; my father used it for many years & old photos still look vibrant.

To Jen above & others re: new feed for swoond. I was able to put it on two blogs without problem. I can't "follow" people due to computer problems so I do don't know what's going on. There was some sort of problem with redirection of custom domain sites a few days ago. Maybe that's over now. Don't know but perhaps you should check blogger status site? Good luck.

Thank you Ms. Swoond, everything is looking...bella.

Chef Chuck said...

Sometimes I miss my kodachrome!
Great photos:)

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