When someone asks me to explain Super 8, I always reference this short clip and they understand immediately. This is a perfect depiction of home movies in the 70s and creates a sense of nostalgia for the “golden days.” This short intro is only a minute long, yet it speaks volumes about the personalities of each family member. It’s a perfect snapshot into what life was like for them on a daily basis.
In the 1960s, Eastman Kodak created Super 8 as a cost effective solution for amateur filmmakers and consumers to record the everyday lives of family and friends. Its ease of use and ability to swap film cartridges mid-shoot allowed for widespread growth and popularity in the 70s. Because of the cost of film, families chose key moments and special events in their lives to capture and display, which is why most of our parent’s films were so story driven.
Today, with our iPhones or Flip cameras at our sides at all times, we have no discernment for which life-events deserve special documentation. When we are able to capture without any monetary cost, we end up overshooting our lives. This leads to the truly special moments of life getting mixed in with the mundane. Even worse, the special moments are never presented in a final format.
In our minds, Super 8 is the perfect antidote to this problem. Not only does the medium evoke feelings of nostalgia (i.e. The Wonder Years) but it’s presented in such a way that it is worth revering.
When you think back on the “wonder years,” which events were worth remembering, and therefore, worth documenting well?
The Barker Family has a special place in our hearts at A Bryan Photo. A few years ago, we shot the whole family in their home of New York City and were enthralled with how close they are with one another. Last year, one of the daughters, Annie, booked the team to shoot her wedding in March at Notre Dame. After seeing the final Super 8 film, Julia then booked me to capture her wedding in New York City.
Both weddings were different in style but shared a common theme of how important their families are to them. There were also times where I felt I was taken in and embraced as one of their own. I can’t wait to see, years down the road, how their lives will be documented and hope that I will be lucky enough to continue to be a part of it.
“Shoot like the uncle.” This odd phrase is one we often repeat to ourselves while shooting various Super 8 sessions. The idea stems from the nature of Super 8, which evokes feelings of nostalgia and home movies. Since our home movies were often shot by a close relative, perhaps an uncle, the footage carries a certain intimacy and closeness. If trust if established with the person behind the lens, the subject has no problem starring into the the camera. You may say that the “fourth wall” is easily broken within this medium.
While I was shooting the Barker Family in December 2009, I handed the oldest son Frank the camera and let him captured his family :
The Barkers here are smiling directly at the camera, moving as Frank does, and responding to his direction. Frank was comfortable with his family, so they engaged and interacted, which in turn created a more memorable and interesting film.
My best films are the ones that feel like home movies, relying heavily on emotion and nostalgia rather than shooting techniques. At the end of the day, I hope the film feels like it was created by someone who knows you well.
I was so delighted when Tessa & Marshall hired our team to document their wedding in New Hampshire this October. I had always wanted to experience New England in the fall and it didn’t disappoint. They chose to have their ceremony at Tessa’s grandparent’s home, which overlooks a lake on a mountain outside of Holderness. I really love this film. I feel it captures the calmness of the environment and the serenity of this lovely couple.
Posted by Bryan JohnsonWednesday December 14, 2011
This Fall I had the chance to photograph an Ole Miss tailgating party for Parade Magazine. Ole Miss is often voted the top tailgating school in America, known primarily for their lush quad called “The Grove.” I photographed two families that have been tailgating in the same spot since the 70′s. The whole experience was remarkable. Now I need to go back for a game!
They also hired Branden to shoot the event in Super 8:
