007: 4 Days of Film Photography in Atlanta

4 Days of Film Photography in Atlanta

This week, I challenged myself to spend four consecutive days documenting life in Atlanta on film. Each day brought its own rhythm, challenges, and moments worth capturing. Here’s a recap of the journey, along with some of the images I created.

Day 1
I kicked things off downtown the day after Christmas. Despite the holiday hangover, the streets were surprisingly alive with energy—tourists exploring, locals heading back to work, and plenty of interesting characters. I used my Canon EOS-1V loaded with Portra 800 to capture the colors and textures of the city. The size and loud shutter of the camera made me feel more conspicuous, but it also pushed me to engage more intentionally. By the end of the day, I swapped in some Tri-X 400 for that classic black-and-white look and made plans to return over the next few days.

Day 2
Day 2 was slower-paced. Family obligations kept me busy, and I spent most of the day with my wife. However, we made time to visit the High Museum, which always leaves me inspired. Before we walked in, I managed to snap one quick photo outside. Inside, we took in exhibitions by Kelli Connell, Gordon Parks (Giant series), and Jamel Shabazz. Seeing Gordon Parks’ work always strikes a chord—his ability to blend storytelling and activism is unmatched. I included an older photo I took of his work displayed at the High Museum in this post as a tribute.

Day 3 (Saturday)
Downtown Atlanta was buzzing with activity, especially near the Olympic rings. Tons of people were out and about, making the city feel alive and vibrant like a big city during the holidays. I photographed alongside my homies Dre and Brandon, and we spent the day doing a few laps around the area, "getting those reps in" with our cameras. The crowded streets offered endless opportunities to capture the city's energy and character.

Day 4 (Sunday)
Sunday was a quieter day for me creatively. I didn’t make too many images, but I shifted gears and spent time at home developing film. There’s something therapeutic about the process—me, the chemicals, and the anticipation of seeing the results. For those curious about how I develop my film, check out my detailed guide on home film developing.

Final Thoughts
Over these four days, I documented Atlanta with about 10 rolls of Kodak Tri-X 400 film. The challenge was a great way to stay intentional and push myself creatively. Atlanta always has so much to offer, and even in quieter moments, there’s inspiration to be found.