In 1973, Paul Simon sang: "I love to take a photograph/So mama don't take my Kodachrome away." His mother may have listened, but Kodachrome's maker will not: after 73 years, Eastman Kodak has announced it is withdrawing the film... (Click the title link for the full interesting article).
Kodachrome 1935-2009 R.I.P.
This is one of my all-time favorite songs of the '70s, because it reminds me of my youth. At the time, I was eleven years old and the song was a big hit. It was always playing it at the skating rink. That was about the same time, I had my first camera.
It was a 110 Kodak Pocket Instamatic camera. Flash cubes were necessary for low light or night pictures. Since it was an added expense and I had little money, many of my old photos are dark. I never really knew what Kodachrome meant, and now that it's gone I have just learned about it through this news article.
Despite the fact that I've always enjoyed photography, for me, Kodachrome was just a great song about photography that got a lot of air play as I was growing up...on AM radio though!
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6 comments:
I had one of those little instamatics too. And I remember the song. I can hear it in my head now.
Did you listen to WLS radio from Chicago on you am radio?
It seems like so long ago.
@Rae, Those flash cubes did not always work, did they!? I'm so glad we have affordable digital cameras now! And yes, I did listen to WLS.
What do you mean you can hear it, you need to hear it and see the video a lady named Carol Kulver made to share with all of us! It's good, I caught myself smiling (closed mouth smile) all through it.
It sounds a lot like "Crocodile Rock," another golden oldie!
I had an Instamatic, too , and I remember those square flash cubes. I guess it is not surprising that they would do away with that film now, since most everything is digital.
John,
My father and step mom was up here in Indiana for Fathers day. My step mom loves here 35 mm camera, she sent my father and I out to buy film for it. We ended going to 4 places before we found film. Most of the places said they don't carry film anymore. I guess digital is taking over.
Allen
Oh no! Not the Kodachrome! There's nothing sacred anymore....a sign of the Apocalypse to come. Shit....and how am I supposed to take pictures of the rapture without my 35mm in tow?
Thanks for this post, kiddo. I've been so out of the loop, I missed this bit of news.
@kenju, those instamatics were so popular, probably because they were so small. I have thousands of old photos taken with my 110. Most are in albums too!
I didn't know they were going to discontinue all film, but I wouldn't be surprised.
@Allen, Glad you got to spend Father's Day with your Dad! OMG I didn't realize all the film would be discontinued! I guess there's no reason for me to repair my nice Cannon 35 mm! I have put it off for years, but it took some great pictures. I have another cheap little 35mm too. Wow, I'm just so surprised that it's hard to find film! Thanks for sharing that.
@Mary Ellen/Nunly, I know, I can't believe it either! WTF!
I'm so glad to know somebody enjoys my posts about news! I love to provide links to what I find interesting and think others might as well...and I have to put my two cents worth in too! Thanks for taking the time to comment! Hope you are enjoying the summer!
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