Colton Allen

Colton Allen grew up in rural Canada, and now lives in Talent, Oregon. In 2008, he was diagnosed with ALS, and has since lost most of his motor skills, including his ability to walk, and has been primarily confined to a power chair since 2012. Allen is a self-taught photographer, and began taking photos shortly before being diagnosed with ALS in 2008.

Though Allen started out using a digital SLR, it wasn’t long before  he embraced the beauty of film. Using mostly medium format cameras, Allen’s work is now nearly 100% film based.

Inspired by the color photography of Steven Shore and William Eggleston, Allen strives to find simple beauty, in everyday life, but from a unique perspective. 

See more film photography from Colton Allen on Flickr or on his website: http://www.coltonallen.com/

Read more from Colton Allen below

Featured
The Curious Jupiter 12 | Colton Allen
The Curious Jupiter 12 | Colton Allen
Zenza Bronica S2 and Nikkor-P 75/2.8 | Colton Allen
Zenza Bronica S2 and Nikkor-P 75/2.8 | Colton Allen

Review of a Zenza Bronica S2 and Nikkor-P75/2.8 by Colton Allen!

Expired Ferrania Solaris 200 and a Canon 7 Rangefinder | Colton Allen
Expired Ferrania Solaris 200 and a Canon 7 Rangefinder | Colton Allen

Colton Allen shares his experience with Expired Ferrania Solaris 200 through a Canon 7 Rangefinder

Rolleiflex Buying Guide | Colton Allen
Rolleiflex Buying Guide | Colton Allen
A Day Out with my 1957 Zorki 4 | Colton Allen
A Day Out with my 1957 Zorki 4 | Colton Allen

I first read about Soviet cameras back in 2011. For a while they didn’t seem that interesting to me. Back then I thought they looked kinda ugly, and after reading about how problematic they could be, I definitely had some reservations about buying myself one. A few years later, after reading a few glowing reviews of the Industar 61L/D lens, I started looking into buying the lens plus a camera to shoot it with.. . . . 

Bronica ETR-Si review | Colton Allen
Bronica ETR-Si review | Colton Allen

.The Bronica ETR-Si is not what is usually considered a pretty or elegant camera. I suspect in designing the ETR-Si, Bronica chose to go with function over form for nearly every aspect of the camera. That doesn't mean it's not good looking, but it's not the kind of camera you'd regularly see on a list of most sought after film cameras. Those kinds of lists are usually filled with names like Rolleiflex, Hasselblad, Leica, Nikon, etc. Because of this, as well as the fact that of all medium format cameras the 6x4.5 format seems to be the least popular, the Bronica ETR system is currently (IMO) one of the best values in medium format photography.

Lomo F² 400 Review | Colton Allen
Lomo F² 400 Review | Colton Allen

About a month ago, someone on a photography forum made a post about a new limited edition film from Lomography. The post was made somewhat tongue-in-check, poking fun at Lomography's marketing strategy for this "new" film. In my mind, any news of new film is exciting news, so of course I went to Lomography's website to read more about it.

Kodak Medalist | Camera Review | Colton Allen
Kodak Medalist | Camera Review | Colton Allen

The Kodak Medalist is one of the more interesting cameras that Kodak ever made, and is arguably the best American made camera that ever came out of Rochester NY. Designed by the famous American industrial designer, Walter Dorwin Teague, the camera is also one of the most unique and pretty cameras that I’ve ever come across.

Lomo LC-A Review | Colton Allen
Lomo LC-A Review | Colton Allen

When I first read about the new LOMO LC-A 120, I was really excited and couldn't wait to see what it could do. The LC-A 120 packs some really cool and unique features into a considerably small body. First and foremost is the Minigon 38mm f/4.5 lens, covering (mostly) a 6cm X 6cm frame. If you want 6x6 and 38mm, there is a rather limited number of choices. Secondly, the LC-A 120 features program  auto exposure. These features, combined with the small body, make it a very interesting camera. 

Featured Artist | November, 2015 | Colton Allen
Featured Artist | November, 2015 | Colton Allen

Colton Allen is the Film Shooters Collective featured artist for the month of November, 2015. He was chosen for his dedication to the craft of photography, his wealth of knowledge, and his commitment to the collective.

Cameron Kline