I did love Kodachrome. I would not currently chose film over digital, but Kodachrome taught me so much about photography. I am not surprised that it is being discontinued, nor dismayed — just giving a few final words at the funeral. http://homepage.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=2388083
I was one of the last photographers at Getty to use Kodachrome. I knew it so well that I rarely took a light reading. Finally I did switch to the more vibrant chromes, at their insistence; my last film favorite was Extachrome SW (saturated warm). I was never a Fuji fan; the 50 ISO was a problem for me as I handhold most everything.
I have many favorite images from Kodachrome. Here is an early one that has “staying power” and was on the cover of my first book Adventure Travel Photography (out of print).
© nevada wier 1985 Nepal
Nevada Wier Photography 
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September 9, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Ballroompics
As a child my desire to travel was fed by many fiction books and two non-fiction books. The two non-fiction books are:
The Art and Adventure of Traveling Cheaply by Rick Berg (also out of print; it was a guide to travel that did not involve staying in Hiltons)
Adventure Travel Photography by Nevada Wier.
I still own both. I still crack both open to read (and in Nevada’s case – read and view) and I’ve owned both for more than 10 years. Loving photography I have a number of books showcasing National Geographic and/or other specific photographers but Nevada’s book was the first one of that type that I ever bought. There are so many stunning images and it was the reason that my primary film was Kodachrome 64.
The above image is one of my favorites and was the first image I ever saw of Nepal that suggested that Nepal had weather that was not necessarily cold.
For me, Kodachrome was the best film that Kodak ever put out for 35mm.
-Ballroompics
Ps. Much more recently my desire to travel was again stirred by the non-fiction book My Life as An Explorer by Sven Hedin.
September 9, 2009 at 4:20 pm
nevada wier
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment.
I bought one of the early editions of My Life as An Explorer, not only because I love the book, but the jacket cover is phenomenal!
Excelsior! nevada
August 9, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Gary McJimsey
Kodachrome was good as your 1985 Nepal image shows.
July 19, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Bob Towery
Gosh that image is powerful. Once in a lifetime light, I would say. So glad you were there to capture it.
July 18, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Richard Saloom
We just finished scanning hundreds of my father’s Kodachrome slides dating to the early 1950’s and later. I was amazed at how well most of them looked.
It is doubtful that many of my digital pictures will be around in 2070.
July 18, 2009 at 5:36 pm
nevada wier
Luckily I won’t be around to know if they don’t!
July 10, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Paul Dymond
You’re welcome Nevada, I mean it in all sincerity, it was a great book and one of the reasons I carried all that Kodachrome for 9 months. When I got back with 140 rolls of exposed film I put them all in a big backpack and took them on the train to the Kodak developing place in town.(Melbourne, Australia) The next day I went back and picked up 140 little yellow boxes of images that I still license today. Proves what staying power that emulsion has. And I can’t wait for your new book!
July 10, 2009 at 4:34 am
Paul Dymond
Hi Nevada, I read your first book so thoroughly from cover to cover before my first ever big overseas trip – 9 months through Africa. I carried 140 rolls of Kodachrome in my backpack! Kind of seems ironic how your book and the film are so neatly intertwined in setting me on a career in travel photography. Thankyou to you both.
July 10, 2009 at 7:36 am
nevada wier
Thanks so much Paul. I wrote Adventure Travel Photography so long ago but I tried my best, so I’m always thrilled when someone says that they remember it. I’m in the process of writing a new book about travel and photography. Happy Trails!
June 30, 2009 at 7:58 am
Luiz Ramos
Film taught a lot indeed.Digital technology is a new film step necessary to Web 2.0.Both of them are complementaries. I preserve my old cameras.
Beautiful your photos and technique.
June 24, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Gladys Deniz
‘staying power’ indeed…it’s staying on my wall…the film may be gone, but your talent lives forever!
June 24, 2009 at 9:46 pm
nevada wier
thank you Gladys…I appreciate your support so much!
June 24, 2009 at 4:05 pm
iheartfilm
Such a strange and wonderful film. Oh well. All good things DO come to an end.
June 24, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Richard Wong
Incredible image Nevada. This looks like something from a movie set!
June 24, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Christine Glade
I can see why this might be your favorite . Stunning.