12 Months on Film: June — Outer Banks Film Photography with the Pentax 17 Half Frame Camera

For June's installment of the 12 Months on Film project, I took the opportunity to finally start a new roll of film while kicking off summer at my home on Hatteras Island. I was so excited to shoot with the new Pentax 17, and I loaded it up with Kodak Gold 200, a perfect choice for the Outer Banks' hazy, sun-drenched atmosphere. Because the Pentax 17 is a half-frame camera, you get double the images on a single roll, and I knew I wouldn't be able to finish it on just one month. I love how this camera forces me to slow down and really consider what to capture, creating a series of little vignettes over time. I've been fascinated with the Pentax 17 ever since its release, and after exploring the high desert with it for my New Mexico blog post, I couldn't wait to see how the half-frame camera would handle the salty air, hazy light, and vibrant, sun-soaked colors of the North Carolina coast.

The Pentax 17 has a way of making you see the world differently. Its vertical-by-default half-frame orientation forces you to compose each shot like a little postcard, capturing small, intimate vignettes of a larger scene. It's a meditative process that makes you slow down and really observe your surroundings. To complement the bright, coastal atmosphere, I chose a roll of Kodak Gold 200. It's a classic for a reason—its reputation for producing beautiful, warm tones, and its forgiving nature in a variety of lighting conditions made it the perfect choice for a variety of lighting conditions.

Here are some of the moments I captured on film:

Villages of the Southern Outer Banks

One of my favorite finds on Hatteras Island. A handbuilt sign with each arrow pointing to a different village, hinting at the unique character of each one and the adventures that lie ahead.

1950’s Chevrolet

I love finding these little slices of history tucked away in the modern world. This beautiful old car, parked so nonchalantly in front of a cottage, felt like a silent testament to a different era. The combination of the classic vehicle and the simple cottage tells a story without a single word.

Blooming Prickly Pear

The prickly pear cactus, with its vibrant yellow flowers in full bloom, was a surprising and beautiful sight. The coarse, spiky leaves against the delicate petals made for an interesting contrast that I was happy to capture on film.

Happy Hour on the Porch

Our porch is my favorite spot for relaxing at home- whether it’s a morning cup of coffee or an evening drink- it’s a quiet retreat from the day that's not on the beach. I've always had a soft spot for gliders; I have such fond memories of my grandparents' glider benches when I was a child. Having this set on my own porch finally felt like bringing a piece of that comfort and nostalgia to my own home. This photo, with the chairs silhouetted against the setting sun, perfectly captures the feeling of this cherished ritual.

A Typical Day

I sat in my chair with a book and a drink next to our old beach truck, watching Forrest kiteboard in the distance. The simplicity of the scene captures the quiet, unhurried pace known on the Outer Banks.

Shooting with the Pentax 17 is really so much fun. The combination of the camera's unique format and the warm, nostalgic palette of Kodak Gold 200 perfectly captured the relaxed and sun-soaked feeling of the Outer Banks. There’s something special about seeing a location through the lens of a half-frame camera, as if you're collecting small, precious glimpses of a larger story. The magic of film is in the delayed gratification—the excitement of getting the scans back months after and reliving these moments.

As expected, I ended up not finishing this roll on my east coast visit, a happy side effect of the Pentax 17's half-frame format and 72 frames. The rest of the roll was taken in July, during a completely different trip to the alpine landscapes of Switzerland. It was a fascinating experience to see how the same film and camera captured two such distinct locations. I can't wait to share those images with you soon!

Make sure to check out some of my other film photography adventures, like my May Film Busted Roll post, and stay tuned for more from the 12 Months on Film series.