"I Choose Film": Film Photography in the 21st Century

A significant new exhibition at the Southern Vermont Art Center is celebrating the vibrant life of film photography today. I Choose Film features twenty living artists from around the world, each working with film in a unique way. 

 I Choose Film defines film as any process employing light-sensitive photographic emulsion in the creation of imagery. Consequently, works in the show employ a kaleidoscope of traditional and contemporary film techniques, from wet-plate collodion to platinum prints, from artist books to X-Ray.

"Far from being dead, film is enjoying a resurgence. A Renaissance even," says “I Choose Film” curator and artist Stephen Schaub. "I believe this springs from a newfound appreciation for film's unique capabilities."

"You have a whole generation coming of age now who grew up with primarily digital photography, and they are realizing: there are more possibilities out there. Film is a vast and rich medium. And what it does, nothing else can do."

Schaub is a recognized leader and innovator in the art photography and printing worlds. In 2005 he coined the word "figital" to describe photographic work that employs both film and digital techniques. Soon after he founded the photographer's advice and commentary blog FigitalRevolution.com, which to date has had over a million and a half hits.

Artists featured in the exhibition include: David Burnett, Brian Kosoff, Craig Stevens, Bob Van Degna, Susan Weiss, Carol McGorry, Abby Kraftowitz, Stephen Mallon, Art Gilman, Chris Usher, Peter Liepke, Dan Nelken, Alan Ross, Dan Zimmermann, Thomas Kellner, Scott Anton, Rachel Czajkowski, Sam Dole, Jolene Lupo, and Stephen Schaub.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website.