This is my second time participating in this 12×12 Vancouver Photo Marathon; and this edition features something the 2010 marathon didn’t have: Sunshine.

For those unaware of how 12×12 works, you are given a roll of film (yes, you heard right), and asked to shoot 12 photos in the span of 12 hours. A theme (shown above) is announced at the top of the hour and as simple as it sounds you take a photo with the theme in mind. Some of those themes will really get you thinking, and on top of that, as the marathon goes further in the day, you become physically, and mentally drained so coming up with something incredible becomes more difficult (in my experience anyway)

I wanted to make up for the major gaffe I made last year which was not loading the film properly. That resulted in lost frames for the first 3 themes. I switched to a slightly modern camera (the Nikon F50 from the mid 90s) in comparison to my all manual, classic Nikon FM2 which I used in 2010. Not only did it automatically wind up to the first exposure, I got to use all my modern lenses, which the FM2 rejects

Overall, I think I did a better job than last year for a number of reasons: 1 year later = 1 year wiser; You learn from your mistakes, you prepare. A few things I seemed to anticipate (like the ubiquitous first theme), and with the help of other fellow participants, some shots I couldn’t achieve, so big thanks to those who helped (and you know who you are, pat yourself on the back).

I also have been asking around that day how this photo marathon will stay afloat moving forward. The organizers at 12×12 said they used the last 60 rolls of 12exp Kodak 400 film (as it has since been discontinued). Even John Roberts‘ similar marathon based in Victoria, the Victoria 12 By U is put on hold because of the lack of 12 exposure film. The marathon itself may have to be modified in some capacity, time will tell how this will be solved.

I’m anxious to see how everyone’s photos turned out come September 25th. If all my photos were properly exposed, that’s a small victory for me.

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