A Brief background: We traveled to Astoria to introduce id Magazine and to get to know the thriving LGBTIQ community. It is one of many trips we’ll take to partner with locals in Oregon cities such as Salem, Lincoln City, Eugene, Corvallis, Bend and beyond.
As we traveled on towards the bustling downtown area of Astoria,Oregon, we happened upon a shop called Lightbox Photographic. Newly opened, one of the owners, Michael Granger greeted us as we eyed the several glass display boxes. He and his wife Chelsea Granger have an amazing collection of vintage cameras. I kick myself for not asking permission to take photos, but soon you’ll be able to see them on their website when it launches.
Lightbox is one of a cluster of businesses in what is sadly a dying breed. Film photography is slowly being eclipsed by the new kid in town, digital photography. Venues where film photographers could rent a darkroom to process their photos used to be plentiful, but now they are scarce. Portland used to have a dozen or so shops for this, but now it’s down to Newspace Center For Photography and U-Develop. (There could be more, but I didn’t find them.)
Fortunately, as a society, we tend to long for more old fashioned hobbies or interests in our fast paced techno-driven world. Tangible ways to express our creative selves become more in demand. A growing number of us are turning to film photography as a hobby. Lightbox is one of a handful of shops to lovingly fulfill that void in the local creative community. They offer a wide range of services including Photographic Co-op memberships, film processing, darkrooms, custom printing, alternative portraiture, a gallery, and photographic supplies.
(Lightbox Photographic is located at 1045 Marine Drive Astoria,Oregon 503.468.0238)
Coming up – Part 3…