189 ☼ The Photo I Didn’t Realize I’d Treasure (+ Cover Reveal)
+ Expired Film Giveaway
Dear friends,
This week, I share a special and meaningful photo of my father, a moment from the archive I haven’t shared here before.
Plus: I’m revealing the cover of The Best Medicine and continuing the countdown to the May 17th launch event at De Balie.
What’s inside:
A meaningful photo rediscovered from 2018
A few more images from the same expired roll of film
The Best Medicine cover reveal
Details on the zine release + event night
Giveaway: 5-pack of a expired film!
Searching: “The Sky and the Water”
In December of 2018, while I was still living in New York City, I travelled home to Europe for the holidays and took a day trip to a national park in Belgium with my dad. We’ve done these photo walks most years, just the two of us walking quietly, catching up on things not easily shared over the phone or email. I brought my Pentax 67ii and shot a few rolls, one of which included this image I’m sharing today. (See below.)
I had sort of forgotten about this image until it came up while testing some of Excire’s new search tools. Every few months, I like to revisit my archives to see if anything sparks ideas for future projects or reveals connections I hadn’t noticed before.
This time, I typed in “sky + water,” and there it was.
I remember clicking the shutter after intentionally pulling focus on the background, the sky reflecting in still water. My dad stood there, taking a photo of his own, and I framed him between the bare trees. Out of focus, not posing. Just existing. The way family often does in the best pictures.
I don’t remember the exact film stock since this was before I kept proper notes, but I’m pretty sure it was expired Kodak Portra 160 NC. I had a freezer full of it back then, and I’m still thankfully working my way through it. The color shifts keep changing.
There’s something about the way the tones have aged that adds a kind of painterly feel. It reminds me of my grandfather’s oil paintings of nature. The photo feels like something between a memory and a dream.
And now, with my dad moving slower after a recent medical episode, I see this picture with fresh eyes. I’m grateful for it. I hope we get another walk like that someday.
Below, I’ve added a few other frames from that same roll.
Thanks to Excire for supporting Process and for making a tool that's quietly become part of my regular workflow on a daily basis. If you’re curious to try it, you can check it out here. Process readers get 15% off with the code PROCESS at checkout.
The Best Medicine — Cover Reveal
Today, I’m also thrilled to share the cover of The Best Medicine—a limited-edition newsprint zine celebrating the English-language comedy scene in Amsterdam and what it means to gather in real life. Portraits of 101 funny people, and one dog.
The cover was designed by the wildly talented and kind Maxwell George and the zine will be printed with the support of the UK-based Newspaper Club. Check out a preview of zine and more behind-the-scenes thinking in last week’s issue:
It’s a limited edition run and I’ll have copies ready for the May 17th launch night at De Balie.
This one-night-only show will include:
A presentation of the zine.
The debut screening of the behind-the-scenes video.
A table full of the zines (free for all attendees, included in your ticket)
A fantastic comedy show hosted by Simon Lukacs featuring some of the most talented people in this internationally renowned community.
An after party with drinks at an iconic cultural institution.
Grab your ticket now and come celebrate the real-life beauty of laughing in a room together.
🎟️ The Best Medicine: A Celebration at De Balie
Your Turn, A Reminder, A Nudge
If you haven’t taken a photo of someone you love in a while, consider this your reminder. Not a posed one, just them, as they are. Make it part of the rhythm of your days. Those are the pictures that last. Who comes to your mind first? Let me know in the comments to enter this week’s film giveaway, scroll down for more info on that.
Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this issue, share it with a friend.
Let’s keep shooting, learning, and sharing together—one messy, human step at a time.
Warmly,
Wesley
📷 What I Used This Week
People often ask what I’m using—here’s this week’s setup:
Camera: Pentax 67ii with the 105mm 2.4 lens. All images from The Best Medicine were shot on the Fujifilm GFX 100S with a Fujifilm GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR.
Film: Kodak Portrat 160NC (I think)
This issue is supported by MPB.com which is my go-to for buying, selling, or trading used photo and video gear. Everything comes with a 6-month warranty, and their support helps keep Process going.
Lab: My film is processed by Carmencita Film Lab. I trust them fully, for both their work and their humanity. Use code "PROCESS" for a free upgrade on your next order.
Process Giveaway
I like sending small thank-yous to people who read and support Process.
This month, you can win a 5-pack of expired analog film from my personal freezer. It’ll be a mystery pack, either 35mm of 120 film depending on the winner’s preference.
To enter, leave a comment and share the first person from your life who comes to mind, someone worth photographing just as they are.
Next Week — Creative Portraits
Portraits, portraits, portraits. I’ve been on a bit of a roll lately and feel I’ve had a breakthrough with some exciting new shoots, both client work and personal, and I’ll share a few recent favorites with you.
Support Process & Elevate Your Photography
If these Sunday issues give you something—energy, motivation, a new way of seeing—you can support Process by picking up a book or joining the Process Photo Club.
Process Workbook Volume One & Two: Creative prompts and assignments designed to get you out of your head and into action with your camera.
€8.99 each (free for Process Photo Club members)
NOTICE Journal, Volume One: A fresh perspective on beauty and rebirth, shot in Amsterdam.
€40 (or €20 for Process Photo Club members)
📚 Order here and you help keep Process accessible to all.
🗃️ Browse the Process Archives for back issues.
📜 Read the Process Manifesto.
📷 Add yourself to the Process Photo Assistant Database
I was really moved by that series of family portraits that you shared, Wesley, especially because you shared your story in words. Now this with your father adds to that. Like old film that changed over time, my mental images that surfaced after being submerged for a long time, since I first read this post, have a spotty character, imperfect and almost abstract quality. If I could take photos of the events that DIDN’T happen or that I wasn't a part of, what a collage that would be! I live on the other side of the country from my family and my kids don't know this part of their family very well. I'd love photos of my Mom over time. She's 89 and it was hard to see the changes in her last summer. I took candids of her birthday party and wish I'd taken more.
Nice images :) Looks like this is at the Mechelse Heide (NP Hoge Kempen), right? It's a great location for photography!