Capturing New Zealand on Film Ep. 1

Jet Lag, Film Cameras, and The Shire

After 36 hours with no sleep, a bag full of 35mm film, and one goal — capture New Zealand entirely on film — this first episode takes you from airport film hand-checks to finally reaching Hobbiton — all leading up to my favorite shot of the entire trip.

Armed with rolls of Kodak Portra 400, Ektar 100, Lomochrome Purple, and Aurora 800, Mike sets out to document the country’s cinematic landscapes the old-school way — one frame at a time.

But before we even get to Hobbiton, the trip throws a few surprises: film safety checks, flight delays, and a sleepless 36 hours that push both creativity and patience to the limit. This is just the beginning of a four-part travel series exploring New Zealand through analog film — from the rolling hills of Matamata to the mountains of Queenstown, all shot on timeless emulsions.