Berlin Kino and the Working Class: a Review by Matthew Poburyny

We're always on the lookout for user reviews of our cameras and films so it was a pleasant surprise to see a message in our inbox regarding a review submission. The message became even sweeter as it came from Matthew Poburyny, a photographer and Community Member whom we featured not too long ago. He was eager to share his thoughts and was wondering if maybe we could learn a few things from his experience. Our answer was a resounding "Of course!"

Matthew is a talented photographer who has an eye for things beautiful and inspiring. So to learn that he loved using the Berlin Kino 35 mm film for his work definitely put a smile on our faces. Read on to find out more about Matthew and what he has to say about the Berlin Kino in his own words.

A Hint of Nostalgia

I grew up in a working-class home, primarily raised by my grandparents and being a manual laborer myself since I held down my first job, I am always looking to recreate images of a time gone by of the blue-collar family.

When I am going out to take pictures, I want to walk among familiar surroundings and capture a part of life that is ongoing yet unnoticed. Film is an excellent way to document the simple comings and goings of everyday life timelessly and it's why I still choose analogue in a digital age.

Creating black-and-white images is a way of stripping down the world around you and focusing your attention on subject matter rather than all the noise around us. The Berlin Kino proved to be an excellent pairing for my style of storytelling with its light grey tones and soft contrast - almost reminding me of newsprint.

"We all strive to tell stories with our images and choosing the right film stock to do so can make all the difference. Documenting what means something to you is how you will engage others with your work, we feel connected when there is a legitimacy to what we see. For me, that translates into using primary tools to tell a straightforward narrative of an enduring people are their lives."

My Yashica MF-2 point & shoot 35 mm camera is my favorite companion when going for photo walks through industrial or suburban parts of the city. With its fixed focus, aperture and single shutter speed, my mind is present in the moment to focus only on composition. With the limitations of my camera, using a film with a good exposure latitude is vital and Lomography's Berlin Kino handled overexposure exceptionally well.

We all strive to tell stories with our images and choosing the right film stock to do so can make all the difference. In a post-world war two era where a simple job afforded you a simple life, I try to continue to show my world in that same light.

Documenting what matters to you is how you will engage others with your work, we feel connected when there is a legitimacy to what we see. For me, that translates into using primary tools to tell a straightforward narrative of an enduring people are their lives.

We would like to thank Matthew for letting us feature his images and words on the Magazine.

written by cheeo on 2020-05-07 #gear #people #black-and-white #monochrome #review #bnw #berlin-kino #matthew-poburyny