Interview: Vicky Zhang
JUNE 2022 ● INTERVIEWS
If you haven't come across Vicky's Negative Junkyard (not an actual junkyard!) on Instagram, then this is your sign to stop on by. Vicky Zhang, a talented film photography enthusiast from Canada, beautifies simple, everyday moments, like browsing your local record store, riding the subway home, ice skating at the community rink, or filling up at the gas station. With a background in film and media studies, Zhang uses her artistic wit and strong photographic eye to turn the mundane into what feels like a scene from a movie. She relies heavily on the ever so addictive CineStill 800T and the trustworthy Portra 400 film stocks and could easily be a spokeswoman for Contax.
Her images showcase life through brilliance and intrigue. It's no wonder her followers beg for more. Her portfolio can teach us all a lesson in finding inspiration everywhere, embracing reality, and using a variety of film stocks to elevate any moment. From her daily walks to her addiction to film and her guitar, Zhang candidly shares with Y35 Mag her process and her inspirations. Here is @filmbyvee_.
First, tell us about yourself! What should we know about "film by vee?"
Hello, lovely readers of Y35 Mag! I'm Vicky (she/her), aka @filmbyvee_, a textbook Scorpio from Toronto, Canada. I'm currently in my final year at Queen's University in Kingston, where I'm majoring in Film & Media!
How did you get involved in shooting film? Why do you like shooting film, and what drives you to keep shooting film today?
About two years ago, I saw some pictures on Instagram, and I was absolutely amazed by how different they looked compared to the ones I was used to seeing. So, I did my research then found out that they were, in fact, shot on film. That was when I decided to try it out.
Shooting film is probably one of the most exciting things in my life. I enjoy the rather slow process, the anticipation, and even the mistakes I make. The thing about shooting film is that you're constantly learning and improving. It's fascinating how it seems to me that you could never fully master film photography because there's always more to it than you think.
Your Instagram, to me, feels almost photo-journalist-esque. You capture images of Toronto and Kingston that just feel so natural and authentic. Walk us through a typical day of shooting for you. Are these shots intentional? How do you capture such candid images of daily life?
One thing you should know about me is that I love to walk; I would always choose walking over other transportation whenever I can. So, when I dedicate a day to shooting, I put on my AirPods and just start wandering around the city, never knowing where I'm heading.
I'd say most of my shots are unintentional. I love capturing strangers on the streets more than anything else. To me, street photography is like documenting these little moments from people's lives; the unintentionality is the beauty of it. I want the stories behind my shots to be left up to the viewer's imagination.
Some of my favourite images of yours show all the film stocks you own, overflowing in a carry-on suitcase or delicately placed on a golden plate with your guitar picks. Would you say you have an obsession with film (in a good way!)? Is there ever too much film in your house?
Oh yes, I'm addicted to film just as much as I am to caffeine and guitar; I can't live without any of them. My obsession started when I wanted to try out every colour film stock available on the market. Having a lot of film in my fridge also makes me feel safe and secure in a way that I can't really explain. There is never ever too much film for me, and I know that a lot of people, especially those who don't shoot film, see this as an unhealthy obsession, but at least I'm not going to panic over not having film to shoot for a while!
You also have an eye for capturing rays of light beautifully. Is there a specific time of day that you prefer to shoot? What is it about golden hour or blue hour that inspires you?
My preferred time of day to shoot is definitely the afternoon, when the sunlight is strong enough to create dramatic shadows. I also love to shoot during golden and blue hours. Not only does the coloured sky add so much more flavour to an image, but it also creates a certain mood and tone that supports the subjects inhabited in that image/world (lol, do I sound like a film major now?).
I noticed you use a lot of CineStill and Portra 400/800. Are these favourite film stocks of yours? What is it about these, especially due to their high ISO rating, that you like? Do you have any tips for film photographers who have never used 800 ISO before but want to experiment?
Yes, those are my favourite film stocks at the moment. Their high ISO ratings offer me a lot more creative space to communicate with my viewer through an image. As a film major, CineStill 800T is certainly my all-time favourite and the most cinematic film stock I've ever shot. I can't get enough of those stunning colours produced by CineStill 800T, especially the breathtaking "red glow" around highlights.
800 ISO is very flexible as you can shoot it in any environment or situation at any time as long as it's paired with an appropriate shutter speed and f-stop combination. I would suggest experimenting with 800 ISO during different times of day and in various weather conditions to find the looks you want. For the first time, I shot a roll of CineStill 800T when it was raining like crazy in Toronto, and I absolutely loved how the pictures turned out.
What is it about film photography that keeps you invested? Do you or would you ever shoot digital?
Like every other film shooter, I'm drawn by the vintage and irreplicable look of film. I think what keeps me invested is the fact that you don't know what your pictures really look like until you get them back. I've always believed that film deserves more recognition and should be appreciated by more people because of its rich history and uniqueness. So when you're shooting digital, don't forget where and how it all started.
I don't see myself ever shooting digital as of right now (assuming taking pictures with my phone doesn't count). Sure, you can do a lot of powerful stuff with digital, but you can't beat the real thing.
Who or what inspires your work?
Films and TV shows have always been huge inspirations to me. Besides that, music also plays an important role in shaping my vision. Whenever I go for a photo walk, I listen to music with noise cancellation on. So it's like I'm in my own little world, isolated from everything and everyone else, observing from a distance; that's when I'm my most creative self.
Do you feel like social media has played a role in shaping your art? Do you feel supported/inspired by the film community? Do you have limits to what you share online?
Absolutely. I'm inspired by the wonderful, brilliant, supportive, and amazing film community literally every single day. In terms of the limits to what I share, I don't really like to share too much of my personal life on this account (as you've probably noticed). That's why I haven't posted any pictures of myself yet. I just think @filmbyvee_ should be dedicated to my film photos, and I want people to have unbiased opinions about my work. But don't get me wrong, I would honestly love to get to know y'all personally, so feel free to hit up my personal account @vickyz_22 any time!
I noticed that you primarily use your Contax T2. Do you have any interest in trying other formats? Is there a reason you gravitate toward 35mm?
I'm such a huge fan of the brand Contax, which is why I only shoot with Contax cameras and nothing else. I've definitely thought about getting into medium format simply because the image quality is much better. I've seen so many gorgeous images that were shot on 120, and some of my favourite film shooters shoot primarily medium format. That being said, the moments I personally capture could easily be gone in the blink of an eye. With medium format, you only get so many exposures per roll. I just don't think it's the best idea for me to carry around a heavy medium format camera while constantly worrying about missing a good shot because I have to load a new roll. For this reason, I respect every 120 shooter out there who has the patience to really enjoy the entire process of shooting film.
This interview was featured in Y35 Mag Issue No. 15. To see all of the photographs Vicky chose to present, check it out here.