Btihal Remli: Belief thorough medium format

"I was one of those collectors. Buying old cameras wherever I found them until I bought a Hasselblad and it was a perfect match."

Tell us about yourself.

My Name is Btihal Remli. I am a 28 year old moroccan girl currently based in Cologne Germany. Mainly I work on photographic projects, but as I graduated from Architecture I also work on different stuff.

When and how did the film journey begin for you?

My Film Journey began long time ago. I think when I was still a teenager. But afterwards I stopped taking photos, because digital time began and I got bored by taking pictures in a way as it got too easy and so it has lost its value. Two years ago I found an old MF camera in a flea market and wanted to try it out. 6x6… I totally fell in love with this way of photographing. It remembered me of the value of a single image and that's something fantastic.

What Could we always find in your gear bag?

It is funny, but no matter where I go I always have one roll of a 120mm KodakPortra 400. Best film ever.

What camera makes you click?

That's easy! Hasselblad 501c/m. I was one of those collectors. Buying old cameras wherever I found them until I bought a Hasselblad and it was a perfect match. Like we were meant to be together. It doesn't only sound like a Lovestory – it is one!

Who are your models? How do you interact with them before shooting?

I wouldn't specify on a certain group of models. It depends on the topic that I am working on and also the models that I choose differ. But they are always people that I see on the streets and do something what is extraordinary from my point of view. Sometimes I directly talk to them, we get to be friends and I make a photo on a different day. Sometimes I directly ask if I may take a photo, and sometimes the moment is that short that I just make a shot without telling. And sometimes I get in trouble for that. But it is worth it.

What inspires you most?

It is people and their belief in religion. It is the belief in something that is not visible and that is why I am very much fascinated by the invisible. It makes me askf myself what is it and how can we grasp it? How can we produce a photograph that gives the same impression of something non-physical which has a sensible presence? These are questions that keep me always on the flow.

Do you have any advice for film photographers out there?

Film photography gives us the chance to think about a photo before we take it. So use the time, think about your frame and the result will be a precious photograph in the end.

You can find Btihal Remli here:
cargocollective.com/btihal