Bannack Ghost Town

Bannack Ghost Town, nestled in the picturesque landscape of Montana, stands as a hauntingly beautiful relic of the American West’s gold rush era. Established in 1862, Bannack witnessed a surge in population as prospectors flocked to the region in search of fortune. The town, now a well-preserved ghost town, boasts weathered wooden structures that whisper tales of the past. Bannack’s Main Street, lined with weathered facades and remnants of a bygone era, transports visitors to a time when the town was a bustling center of gold mining activity. Notable structures, such as the Bannack Hotel and the Meade Hotel, showcase the architectural charm of the 19th century. Today, Bannack Ghost Town is a living museum, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the essence of the Old West, complete with artifacts, historic buildings, and a palpable sense of nostalgia. The site offers a poignant reminder of the transient nature of boomtowns that once flourished and then faded into the annals of history.

At Bannack State Park, a BYU Idaho photography group, under the guidance of organizers on a field trip, collaborated with models dressed in period clothing. The students honed their skills by experimenting with camera settings and directing poses under varied lighting setups. I approached some of the models, clarified that I was a film photographer, and pleasantly discovered that they were happy to let me capture their photos.

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Film: Kentmere Pan 100
Process: Cinestill DF96 Monobath (3 Min @ 26° C)
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Film: Fomapan Profi Line 100
Process: Cinestill DF96 Monobath (3 Min @ 26° C)
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Film: Fomapan Profi Line 100
Process: Cinestill DF96 Monobath (3 Min @ 26° C)
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo

Camera: Nikon FA (1983 – 1988)
Film: CatLABS X Film 320 Pro
Process: theFINDlab
Scanned: Epson V700 Photo

2 thoughts on “Bannack Ghost Town

  1. Shaun –

    I love Bannack! I went there with my wife just a couple weeks ago. I was using my Nikon N80 because I trust it the most for domestic travel photography. I also took it to Santa Fe last week, but when I went to use it there, I discovered that the film cover latches had broken, exposing that roll to light. Oh, well. Another adventure with old film cameras, even the trusted ones. Luckily, I had picked up a spare N80 about 5 years ago for $20, so this should just be a temporary glitch.

    Shoot on, Bob Grant

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