1. Tell our audience briefly who you are and what inspired you to take on photography?
My name is Mete, I’m a film photography enthusiast based in Helsinki, Finland. What drew me into photography was how accessible it is because you can do it pretty much anywhere. It allows you to take everyday moments and turn them into something that feels more meaningful.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meterminated/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@meterminated/
2. What’s your photographic process, what matters to you when you take a photograph and why?
I don’t really overanalyze my process. Usually it starts with light. A certain mood or something subtle that catches my attention. Even the most ordinary scene can become something special in the right light. That’s what I’m always chasing.
3. Describe the 'one that got away'—a photo you saw in your mind but couldn't capture?
There are a lot of those moments. For years I missed great scenes simply because I didn’t have a camera with me. That changed my whole approach and I started carrying one everywhere. Now many of my favorite photos come from the most casual situations, like late night walks or quick trips to grab something from the store.
4. Do you believe in a 'soulmate' camera? Which piece of gear feels like an extension of your body rather than a tool in your hand?
Yes, my Canon AE-1 definitely feels like an extension of me. I know exactly what I can create with it, and I trust it completely. Recently I’ve also been shooting with the Nikon F3, and it has that same feeling. Everything about it just works effortlessly. I think any camera can become that “soulmate” if you spend enough time with it.
5. Is there a specific photograph or body of work in history that changed the way you look through a viewfinder? How does its influence show up in your work today?
There isn’t a single photograph that changed everything for me. Instead, a lot of my inspiration comes from cinema. Films made me look at everyday environments in a different way. They taught me that with the right composition and light, even the simplest scenes can feel powerful.
6. What is the most 'technically imperfect' photo you’ve ever taken that you still absolutely love? What does that say about the importance of gear versus timing?
Some of my favorite photos are technically “wrong” like light leaks, missed exposures, things that shouldn’t work. But that’s part of what makes film photography so special. Those imperfections often feel the most real, like memories or dreams. It reminds me that timing and feeling matter more than perfect gear.
7. When you’re out shooting for yourself, do you find yourself looking for the light first, or the subject first?
I always look for the light first. I’ve seen great subjects ruined by flat light, and average scenes transformed by the right conditions. It also makes me return to the same places again and again, waiting for that one moment where everything aligns.
8. How do you deal with 'G.A.S.' (Gear Acquisition Syndrome)? Does owning more gear make you a better storyteller, or does it get in the way?
I try to stay away from G.A.S. as much as possible. It’s easy to get pulled into wanting more gear, but I prefer to keep things simple and focus on what I already have. If you spend enough time with your tools, they become enough. For me, it’s always been more about the feeling than the equipment.
9. Have you ever had to explain the value of a dedicated camera to someone who thinks a smartphone is good enough to take photos with?
I think smartphones are great for documenting life, and I use mine daily. But a dedicated camera feels more intentional. Looking through a viewfinder removes distractions and creates a stronger connection to what you’re capturing. That said, whatever tool you have, you should use it. Photography is about expression first.
10. What is your 'comfort' film stock? The one you load when you just want to enjoy the process without worrying about the results?
Cinestill 800T without a doubt. It just fits the way I see the world, especially at night.
11. Every photographer has their resources. Which ones do you recommend for learning more about photography (courses, books, documentaries, workshops)?
There are so many great photography books and photographers to learn from, but honestly, the biggest teacher is doing it yourself. Experimenting, failing and trying again. For a long time I was taking photos that didn’t feel like me. It took time to figure out how I actually wanted to see the world and that process is still ongoing.
12. What do you value in a camera, why do you select to use a specific one to take photographs with?
The most important thing is how a camera feels in your hands. If it doesn’t feel right, you won’t enjoy using it. I’m also drawn to metal-bodied cameras because there’s just something about that physical connection that matters to me.
13. If you could go back in time what would you like to photograph?
I would go back to the 80s. There’s something about that era, the mix of past and future, the design, the films, the atmosphere. It all has a very distinct feeling that I’d love to experience and document.
14. What part of the photographic process matters the most to you?
That moment right after pressing the shutter when you just know you got it. But also the process of searching. Walking around, exploring, chasing something you can’t fully explain until you see it. That part is just as rewarding as the photo itself.
15. If you had to shoot a high-stakes editorial on a single roll of film, which camera-and-lens combo from our current inventory would you trust, and why?
I’d trust the Canon AE-1 with a 28mm f/2.8 lens. It’s the setup I know best, and when the pressure is high, you go with what feels natural.
16. Imagine you find a un-developed roll of film from 50 years ago that hasn't been seen by anyone yet. Before you develop the film, what do you hope is on that roll, and why is that the version of the world you want to preserve?
I’d hope it’s the same kind of places I photograph today but just 50 years ago. The same streets, the same corners, but from another time. I think it would be a reminder of how quickly everything changes, and why it’s worth paying attention to the everyday places we pass by without thinking.
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