“I wanna capture stories and images that would give you feelings when you see them , could be a smile or a wave of sadness.”
- Johnathan Mancilla
SOULDEGA: Who are you, where are you from and how did you get your start with Film photography?
JOHNATHAN: My name is Johnathan Mancilla Im a film photographer born and raised outta Brooklyn New York. How I got into film photography was through a mixture of inspiration of photographers like Joseph Rodriguez and Andre Wagner ,but also coming from a low income neighborhood where I didn’t have the luxury of being able to buy a new digital camera. My first camera cost me $50 and after research I found out it was the same camera that was used to take the photos that inspired me. It was one of those meant to be moments for me lol.
SOULDEGA: We love the raw yet poetic way in which you document NYC. What draws you in to capture the city when you shoot?
JOHNATHAN: I wanna capture stories and images that would give you feelings when you see them ,could be a smile or a wave of sadness. Stories and images that’s are not seen enough of the inner city, I’ve been given a passport being from here that allows me navigate certain neighborhoods certain situations and understand when to take a picture and when to give people their respect. I also being given a responsibility to show that inner city photography of black and poc isn’t just poverty and our struggles but our Perseverance to better our selves and the community.
SOULDEGA: Do you experience any difficulties with acquiring and developing film to do your craft?If so, how do you overcome those challenges?
JOHNATHAN: Oh man lol it’s my biggest guilty pleasure Film is a outdated form of photography, the rolls are raising in price with popularity and the post processing of it can be costly and time consuming and if your not knowledgeable all your pictures can be blurry and a waste of time and money. But with all that being said I love it, it made me become a better photographer it made me study and practice ,learning about my craft. It made me invest in my self and I bought a scanner and chemicals to do the processing at home. It made me narrow down my photo selection and forced myself to think what do I wanna put out cause once I press that button there’s no coming back which resulted in better photos.
SOULDEGA: Can you share with us a favorite photo of your own that you have taken?
JOHNATHAN: My most recent favorite one is one that I took during the lockdown. I felt like it showed our spirit. We gonna get through it, the sun will shine through the darkness. (Below left Image)
SOULDEGA: The streets have changed drastically since the Pandemic has taken place. How has this and the quarantine affect your artistry?
JOHNATHAN: The pandemic most definitely affected my artsy, it feels like it sucked a lot of the life out of the city. It feels like a dark cloud is over us and that’s why I been shooting more black and white lately , more struggle ,more emptiness and of course the depression there’s no way to sugar coat any of it so I let the images speak for them selves. But I also try to capture those good days when they come, where we forget for a bit take in the sun and smile.
SOULDEGA: Can you list any photographers (if any) who inspire you and/or your style?
JOHNATHAN: I honestly get inspired by everyone it’s a beautiful thing to display art in any medium. But the photographers I learn from the most and inspire to be like are Joseph Rodriguez (@rollie6x6) , Andre D. Wagner (@photodre) and Boogie (@boogiephotographer). All 3 have shaped and influence my work. Their images gave me the greatest gift inspiration to do something you love, I hope one day my photos give that same feeling to someone.
For more work by Johnathan Mancilla please visit his instagram page @Fade2Film
Johnathan’s favorite photo pick
