3 AM with the Mamiya 7ii & Portra 800 / My Favorite Photo Yet

Jet lag was keeping me up in the wee hours of the evening so I decided to make the most of it by going out for a midnight photo mission with the Mamiya 7ii and a roll of Portra 800. I was left with one of my favorite images I've ever taken.
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Instagram: @braehunziker
Website: www.braehunziker.com

[@BryanBirks]

I’m here for Philosophical Brae. The feelings I get when I just get out to shoot are so much better than when I do anything else. Even if I get a bunch of dog shit. It’s like “Okay, you suck but you tried. You’re doing it.” Compared to “Okay, you suck and you didn’t try. You also just wasted thirty minutes looking at monkey reels.” The fear of missing out has taken a lot of people’s creative energy. But missing out is when you actually make shit.

[@metalfingersfilm]

bruh, the guiltiness of doom scrolling is so real. shit is so entertaining, but so mind melting.

[@BraeHunziker]

100% nail on the head. Nothing makes me feel shittier about myself than doing nothing.

[@Amperland]

thats how im feeling right now. its so cloudy and dark, which saps my inspiration. I want to shoot snow, but the sun as straight up gone with no sign of a return appearance for weeks!

[@bobsykes]

I love the conclusion. You're so right! Sometimes, just going out for a walk or a drive and your whole perspective can change, and all of a sudden, something is fun again! So glad I watched 'till the very end.

[@BraeHunziker]

100%. Thanks Bob 🤝🏼

[@cl9279]

Imagine you wake up at 3am and look out of the window and there is some guy pointing a camera on a tripod through your window 😂 awesome photos man

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha right 😅 As I get older I become more and more understanding of people's uneasiness when it comes to this kind of photography.

[@stratocactus]

14:49 I said out loud "Perfect". It truly is a masterpiece of a photo Brae. The lighting and colors make it look like a painting.

[@BraeHunziker]

Ahh thank you so much! Really appreciate it!

[@brettwood737]

THAT photo, as soon as I saw it, I knew it was one of the best you'v ever taken. Light, colour tones, texture and composition - all excellent.

[@BraeHunziker]

I was so pumped! Thanks, Brett!

[@richardhurst1969]

Just got myself a 7ii and learning how to use it.Thanks for the heads up about the reciprocity+ app, that's a life saver right there!

[@BraeHunziker]

Nice! Great camera, enjoy.

[@jorsetti]

Enjoy your work! Inspiring 🙏🏻

[@BraeHunziker]

Appreciate ya taking the time to watch!

[@melekgumulek]

i started shooting film last summer and your videos have always inspired me. i use expired film and all my photos suck so bad... watching this, next to all your other videos, was a source of motivation, i wanted thank you for that. especially when you said you don't appreciate most of your photos because i think they all look great and unreachable. i aspire to get good at it like this one day🙂

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks for the comment! It all takes time. I'd also stay away from expired film if possible. It's really unpredictable and can render some poor results if it hasn't been stored correctly. Unless that is the look you're after of course! Probably took me eight years of photography before I even started remotely respecting my work.

[@teocrawford]

Philosophical Brae is always welcome in future videos🤝🏼✨

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha noted! 🙏🏼

[@FragmentsDance]

Top work. Some lovely images.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you!

[@ZOMBIELUIS666]

Love how your advice was vindicated, you went out and did the work and found one of your favorite frames ever. I'm about to jump in the darkroom thanks for the inspirational words.

[@Usiris23]

Man that music behind the perfect photo is pretty chilling. But what a beauty, great job bro. I love the grass and sidewalks the most. That moment after the shutter released I could tell your mouth filled up with saliva and your body went kinda numb, one of those “what the hell just happened” moments, have had it happen to me, like what did I do wrong!?

[@futc.photography]

Also I super agree on the conclusion it's so easy to get sucked into the instagram vortex and forget that the only way you get that creative spark is by crossing out of your comfort zone every once in a while.

[@BraeHunziker]

Yeah it's a really bad void I get sucked into quite often. Hopefully less susceptible this year!

[@kiangannon6051]

Huge Gregory Crewdson vibes on that shot, you know which one I'm talking about.. Amazing work dude

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks so much!

[@MacnTeensVisuals]

Well I loved the shots and I also agree 100% man. Getting our there and making this video at 3am is no easy task. Fair play!

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha thanks for watching dude!

[@RobbieMaynardCreates]

Im loving the foggy, rainy night scenes

[@BraeHunziker]

always fun to photograph

[@TommyGrisselFilms]

Loved this video, can’t wait for more

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you dude!

[@knitwitchcraftingpodcast]

"i'm becoming so old and lame" i feel you brother LOL

[@BraeHunziker]

😭

[@futc.photography]

That is such a phenomenal photo!!! The light spilling out from the stairs is freakin amazing 😯

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you man 🙏🏼

[@rebeccasuur]

Happy for you that you are proud of your last photo you took! What a feeling.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks Rebecca!

[@nelsonfoote7641]

I use the same light meter app. Works great!

[@BraeHunziker]

Yeah I love it!

[@briantallman244]

That last bit was spot on. Well said! It´s easy to get caught in the trap of SoMe. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks for watching! Cheers.

[@MARKLINMAN1]

Man that foto sure is AWESOME! The contrast, the colors, the framing, EVERYTHING ABOUT IT! Niiiiice.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks! Super pumped on it!

[@Unidentifys]

Sick video. Thanks for helping me through this long day.

[@BraeHunziker]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@2DogAle]

Consuming and not creating, that’s so true. No matter what the subject, I force myself to make\take (the jury is still out on if I make or take) an image. It can be, and has been something in my house, my yard, my car, walking the dogs, anything to keep those creative juices going. I absolutely want to shoot night time streets around my area. Not many gun shots around here but I get nervous thinking about some altercation with a home owner seeing me lurking outside. So, I applaud you for going out and doing what you did in this video.

[@BraeHunziker]

Completely understand. It's one of the reasons I don't do it as much anymore. I'd definitely feel uneasy if I saw someone outside my house with a camera in the middle of the night.

[@treyusher32]

This was like borderline ASMR lmao really chill video

[@ronniepadda]

I needed to hear philosophical Brae, I'm definitely in a film photographer/creative rut. Thanks for the tips for Long exposure and the kick in the butt too!

[@BraeHunziker]

Anytime!! Cheers dude

[@Amperland]

I actually quite like 9:08 a lot. I think it is an interesting composition, and much like your favorite photo it has less going on in it but lets you focus in on the toy car.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you! I enjoy that one too

[@delpierro0815]

Very interesting and funny "inner and outer monologue" ;). I'm glad you were able to save the last photo, it really turned out great.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you! :)

[@antnguyen]

I concur. Damn good photo.

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you!

[@MichaWha]

Hey Brae, that photo really is dope, well done man! I haven't taken a film photo in more than 2 months but hell, I hate the cold haha, can't wait for spring, I need colours, leaves and flowers and shit!

[@CamcorderHomeVideos]

No joke, I just came inside from shooting videos probably 2 minutes ago, because its coooold outside. 🥶

[@BraeHunziker]

Don't blame ya haha!!

[@Passingmomentsvideo]

It’s been a minute! Great images Brae. Loved that last one. Lucky save!

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you! Got really lucky haha

[@aaronsantoro]

I’m getting a strong Owen Wilson undertone during this ‘whisper’ photo walk. Great vid 👍🏼

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha the last thing I wanted to do was wake someone up who wasn't thrilled to see some dude pointing a camera at their house at 3 in the morning 😂

[@metalfingersfilm]

really enjoy the slowed down process in this one, homie!

[@BraeHunziker]

thank you my dude!

[@hmuz8388]

15:22 straight outta a game!! in a good way 👌

[@BraeHunziker]

Thank you :)

[@tompoynton]

I’m the opposite, I love using Ektar 100 or Portra 160 for my long exposures. I must be a masochist

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha both are great and will result in cleaner images overall!

[@sktvictor]

Awesome video, we thank you for going out, great photo in the end, thankfully you didn’t shake the camera, moment to be calm and careful that went well

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks! Yeah luckily worked out!

[@jw48335]

Man, I just can't see taking an expensive old electronic camera out into the elements like that. I love my Fujica GWs for this kind of work. My favorite is the GW680iii, but I have 3 of them now. I had my 680 out in sub-zero weather just the other day taking snowy landscape shots, and back in December it was Christmas lights in the dark in a snow storm😁 Great video as usual sir!

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha yeah it's always a risk. Probably should get a cheaper medium format camera for this type of work to be honest 😅

[@tompoynton]

@@BraeHunzikerThe GW is awesome for exactly this

[@thedarkslide]

If only the GWs had a proper bulb more. T mode sucks.

[@jw48335]

@@thedarkslide Well, if it's that important, the mk1 versions and some mk2s did have bulb mode. Honestly I find it odd people make such a big deal out of "T" mode. I just put my hand over the lens or use a hat, then end the exposure with the film advance or by flipping it from T to 1 second.

[@jasontroll]

bob ross of photography

[@BraeHunziker]

ah thank you! haha

[@jessejayphotography]

Totally felt like I got an epic Dad level “words of wisdom” pep talk at the end. Let’s get out there boys and girls! No excuses, unless you’re dead.

[@BraeHunziker]

Hahah yooo 🤣

[@davidellinsworth3299]

13:04 Brae's lens has 5 aperture blades 😂.... that last image is a worldy my friend

[@BraeHunziker]

Lmao for real 😂 And thank you!

[@Walitocamina]

Like a lot your final speech, man.

[@BraeHunziker]

Glad it resonated!

[@VentureOutside]

Thanks for the video, what is your tripod setup? Looks like a Acratech pano head and Leofoto legs? Do you use a leveling base?

[@BraeHunziker]

You're correct! They're Artcise carbon fiber legs but I'm pretty sure those are the exact same as the Leofoto ones.

[@nicolaemorozov4304]

Hey man, thanks for this wonderful video, and honest thinking about the process at the end. It's such a thing, about the void of reels, about the consuming, and the speed of consuming, and this times where all this social media is traning us to consume quick all the stuff, even if we don't need it. At this moment i think i feel it, the "romance of photography" from me went away, i think because of lack of motivation, but back in times? why then i had that "motivation"... idk man, sometimes I give myself questions like: - why do i do this or that... - nobody gives a crap about my photos ... I know my text is to tangled up, with pleasure would discuss this topic live :)) To be short: I try the rule of 15 minutes in creation. You start 15 min to force yourself to do something and then, in the way of creating you understand that you want to go fruther and fruther or stop at all cause we all have these burnouts too. Just to think about your impact, someone in Republic of Moldova is doing similar stuff, and finds your videos inspirational. Don't stop. And fk film prices...

[@BraeHunziker]

Wow, I couldn't have put it better myself. I very much resonate with everything you're saying here. Especially the motivation part. I have found that forcing myself to begin a creative process usually ignites the spark, but sometimes find the motivation to begin is quite difficult. It's something that I think many photographers struggle with. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Cheers!

[@Benjaminjohansson93]

That last photo was soooo good dude!! Print already sold out 💔 probably would have been super expensive shipping tho haha. But yea that photo was insane!😍

[@BraeHunziker]

Thanks man! Yeah I wish shipping overseas wasn't so damn much...

[@jnrickards]

When you set up your store front, do you verify the quality of your prints? Paper choices? Color quality? Sharpness?

[@BraeHunziker]

Yes I’m fulfilling these orders entirely by myself

[@jnrickards]

@BraeHunziker Ah, I see, I thought it was a hands-off system

[@janbielikowski]

"make shit", still THE best creative advice of all time.

[@BraeHunziker]

Yep!!

[@brettwood737]

Dude! $45??? Your work is worth way more than that. I'm sad that they all sold out, for my sake. Stoked for you though

[@BraeHunziker]

Ah well thank you sir! Hoping to get a print shop live soon with numerous photos available!

[@oCorvus]

I understand the thought process behind using 800 iso over 400 iso for the extra stop, but the reciprocity failure of Portra 800 is actually so bad that you actually end up with far longer exposure times than had you just used Portra 400. Kodak themselves don't even provide reciprocity charts for Portra 800 and they officially don't recommend exposures over 1 second long for it. So while Portra 400 will require one stop of extra light you will actually need less exposure time as the film is much better at maintaining its light sensitivity over time.

[@BraeHunziker]

Oh that's interesting. I use Portra 800 quite a bit while out backpacking and have done some 30-45 minutes exposures with it and got fine results. Perhaps I'll have to do some more tests compared to Portra 400. Thanks for the info.

[@rockhills]

Dude it’s pretty crazy you’re not only out at 3 but lighting yourself and filming with another camera. I think I’d have the cops called on me pretty quick 😂

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha I was definitely on edge about that all night. It's really not hard to run into a bad situation these days. And almost impossible to not look suspicious when you got a camera on a tripod like that lol.

[@CheckeredFlagPodcast]

What are your thoughts on the DJI wireless mics for your videos? Do you just prefer a lav with a wired mic?

[@BraeHunziker]

Been really interested to try them. I used to use a Rode Wireless Go system but the second you turn your body in a direction where the receiver loses line of sight with the transmitter, the audio would cut out. And often I'm quite far away from the camera so this would have frequently. I switched to the Tentacle Sync timecode system with the TRACK E recorder and love it. Although, the wireless mic would be quite nice.

[@metalfingersfilm]

bruh, I wanna do the same, but I'm scared of brining out my camera gear at night in Milwaukee, lmao. I probably would be the easiest lick, hahaha.

[@BraeHunziker]

Constantly have my head on a swivel... Easy to find yourself in a bad situation these days.

[@Anthony-em3sb]

just bought a pentax 67ii, i couldnt fully understand what you said but did you say they broke on you in the moisture?

[@BraeHunziker]

Yes I've had two of them break on me because they were in moist environments. Otherwise it has been a very solid camera. Due to the amount of magnets in the 67ii, they can easily fail if they are in freezing cold or more humid environments so just be careful. I talk more about this in my Pentax 67ii review that's up on my channel.

[@hmuz8388]

what jacket is that? Looking clean!

[@BraeHunziker]

A $30 Costco coat haha

[@stopper123456]

Can we get a link for that Reciprocity app?? Tried searching but the results were a little sus lol

[@BraeHunziker]

apps.apple.com/us/app/reciprocity-plus/id898649178

[@Brickxbronson]

Honey, why is there a news crew outside our house at 3am?

[@BraeHunziker]

Hahah exactly 😂

[@iammarcdaniel]

letting out your inner Todd Hido

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha indeed

[@TedNemeth]

Dude you were so nervous! Has crime really spiked that high in your town?

[@BraeHunziker]

Tacoma isn’t the safest place anymore. You also never know what kind of situation you might find yourself in with thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment at 3 in the morning.

[@karishouur]

I think the camera you are using for video may have a hot pixel on the sensor. :(

[@theowlfromduolingo7982]

Where exactly?

[@BraeHunziker]

I thought I noticed this too. Top right quadrant of the frame? I recalibrated my sensor which seems to have taken care of it.

[@Amperland]

Does anyone ever ask you why you are walking around town with two tripods at 3am haha. Maybe having all that stuff is why it felt more sketchy. Nobody would care if you just walk around. I would be just anxiously waiting for someone to come out wondering what im doing lol. But you would never get the pictures if you didn't get out there!

[@BraeHunziker]

Haha this is exactly correct. I feel very uneasy walking around with all that stuff. Never know what might happen.

[@eatenbyopium]

fuckin legend

[@BraeHunziker]

🙏🏼

[@thomaswynne9970]

Mamiya 7 ii since when?

[@zKMotion]

Think its due to his P67ii broke

[@BraeHunziker]

Got it for backpacking, hiking, traveling mostly. The weight of the pentax was becoming a lot to handle on my hiking and backpacking trips.