In 1935, Eastman Kodak introduced Kodachrome, a color reversal film that would revolutionize the way we captured and experienced the world. Kodachrome became the go-to color format for film. It was widely used for both cinematography and still photography.
So the “Kodachrome era” lasted from 1935 to 2009.
Kodachrome, as a young photographer, was, without a doubt, my favorite film stock.
Kodachrome was manufactured in various formats: 8 mm, Super 8, 16 mm for movies (exclusively through Eastman Kodak), and 35 mm for movies. It also came in formats suitable for still photography, including 35 mm, 120, 110, 126, 828, and large formats.
Kodachrome lives on in our collective memory—a symbol of a bygone era. Its name evokes the magic of capturing life’s moments in vibrant hues. While we’ve moved beyond film, the legacy of Kodachrome endures, reminding us that sometimes, even in the bleakness of winter, there’s beauty waiting to be revealed through the lens.
So when Paul Simon wrote the popular song, “Kodachrome”, whether Simon was referring to the physical film or using “Kodachrome” as a metaphor, the song seems to capture the essence of finding beauty and joy in the vivid moments of life.
I tend to think that Paul Simon’s lyrics from the song “Kodachrome” capture less about his experience with Kodachrome, and more about a poignant sentiment regarding memory, imagination, and the way we perceive things.
For example….
“I know they’d never match my sweet imagination”
The lyricist acknowledges that reality rarely lives up to the idealized versions we create in our minds.
“Everything looks worse in black and white”:
The author implies that if they were to see these women together in reality (without the rosy tint of memory), it would be less enchanting than their imagined versions.
Yep. Click again.
In summary, Paul Simon captures the bittersweet contrast between memory and reality. Our imaginations often paint experiences in vivid colors, but when faced with the actual events, they can appear dull and lacking. The magic lies in the sweet illusions we create—a sentiment that resonates with many of us.
Long live Kodachrome
Lone live Photography
Long live our active memories and imaginations
Long live the iPhone camera color
Click.
Jack
P.S. “If you took all the girls I knew when I was single
And brought ’em all together for one night”…it would be, sadly, a pretty small-scale gathering:)
………………………………………………………………………..
Kodachrome
by Paul Simon
When I think back on all the crap I learned in high school
It’s a wonder I can think at all
And though my lack of education hasn’t hurt me none
I can read the writing on the wall
Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
Give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
If you took all the girls I knew when I was single
And brought ’em all together for one night
I know they’d never match my sweet imagination
Everything looks worse in black and white
Kodachrome
They give us those nice bright colors
They give us the greens of summers
Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeah
I got a Nikon camera
I love to take a photograph
So mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome
Leave your boy so far from home
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome, mm
Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away
Okay
