When I shot film, I would often speak about the mystique of the final frame on a roll. A disproportionately large percentage of my favorite images would inevitably fall on frame 36. It seemed uncanny that this would happen as often as it did, and I was curious as to why this was. Certainly both my subjects and I would be more relaxed as the session went along, but I always believed there was more to it than this.

When it was determined that the session was in essence “complete”, I had a habit of purposely making sure I had a few shots remaining on my last roll of film. I’d learned early on to do this so I was prepared if a portrait worthy moment presented itself after the conclusion of the shoot. And very often this would happen, presenting me with my beloved frame 36.

Things are different with digital, and I don’t believe the final frame holds quite the same rare quality that I knew with film. I suppose we always approach things more thoughtfully, and treasure them with greater tenderness, when we’re fully conscious of their finite quality. Still, I am curiously drawn to these final images, even with digital capture. My subjects and I are totally free of any expectation, there is no trace of resistance left, and nothing more needs to be added. Ultimately, this most open state of being is what I coveted in all those final frames, not necessarily the images themselves.



~Cynthia