“Life” wouldn’t have been the same without it. “National Geographic” would have been a washed-out mess.

Heck, they even named a state park after the stuff.

It’s Kodachrome. And it’s been discontinued.

So enjoy it while it lasts! Shoot just one roll of Kodachrome so you can say you used the greatest film of the 20th Century.

We know where to find it, we know what’s so great about it, and we’re gonna tell you, ’cause we want you to feel like all the world’s a sunny day.

Photojojo’s Guide to Kodachrome

Photo credits: diner sign: afiler, female workers: Alfred Palmer

Why Does It Matter?

When Kodachrome debuted in the late 1930s, its true-to-life color reproduction was revolutionary.

It let generations of photographers capture bright, intense color the way they really saw it.

These days the big deal about Kodachrome is its distinctive look and archival quality. Plenty of photos from the 1940′s taken with Kodachrome have held up better than photos taken in the 80′s with more “advanced” film.

What Does It Look Like?

Wanna see what’s so special about Kodachrome? See the candy-colored spectacle here:

• Kodak’s Tribute to Kodachrome
• Americans in Kodachrome 1945-1965
• Americana the Beautiful: Mid-Century in Kodachrome
• Bound for Glory: America in Color 1939-43
• Southern Californialand: Mid-Century Culture in Kodachrome
• Kodachrome: The American Invention of Our World, 1939-1959

Where Can I Get It?

Kodak will keep selling new Kodachrome until their stock runs out, and processing will be available until the end of 2010.

Most major photo supply shops carry it, including B&H Photo, Calumet, and Adorama and Amazon.

What Can I Do With It?

Even if you haven’t shot film in ages, even if you’re young enough to have never shot film, find a film camera and shoot just one roll of Kodachrome before it’s gone.

Don’t know what to shoot?

Make a time capsule!

Try to guess what things will have disappeared 10, 20, even 30 years from now and take pictures of those things. Get the film developed, hide it away for a few decades, then see if you were right.

Will it be…

• Land-line telephones?
• CDs?
• Ventriloquist dummies? (Please please please!)
• Tiki bars?
• Polar bears? (We really hope not.)

Where Can I Show It Off?

Search the family attic for old Kodachrome slides that your parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents took.

Scan them (along with your own new photos) and get ‘em online for everybody to see!

Here are a few of the most popular Kodachrome groups on Flickr:

• Kodachrome
• The Kodachrome Project Gallery
• Vintage Kodachrome

Where Can I Get It Developed?

Kodachrome uses a different developing process than current transparency or print film, and only one photo lab in the world still uses that process. Kodak has a deal with Dwayne’s Photo to ensure that Kodachrome processing will be available until the end of 2010.

Local photo labs usually accept Kodachrome even though they send it out for processing. Expect longer turnaround times and higher developing costs than ordinary film. Don’t worry, it’s worth it.

Photo credits: female mechanics: Alfred Palmer, temple: telmo32, Kodachrome and camera: rawheadrex, diner sign: afiler, family with elephant: geocam2000

1. Photojojo’s Extra-Jolly Holiday Gift Guide — What to Buy and Why in 2007 Ever since the Three Amigos brought gifts of gold, frankenstein and maple syrup to the baby Jesus the first Christmas so long ago, mankind has...
2. Photojojo’s 2011 Holiday Gift Guide — Part 3! Soon you’ll be launched into a food-nomming, photo-snapping, gift-searching frenzy. Here to help: our roundup of delectable photo goodies. Wipe that drool off your mouth...
3. The Photojojo Holiday Gift Guide – What to Buy and Why in 2006 The holidays aren’t just a great time to take pictures, they’re also a great time to spread the photo love (to yourself, or to others.)...
4. Photojojo’s Holiday Gift Guide 2011, Part 1! You calmly plug your ears at the first hint of a Christmas carol and politely refuse your co-worker’s gingerbread cookies. The Holidays, already? Well cheer...

Want more?
Photojojo covers the best photo projects,
DIY ideas, and gear, twice a week.

Subscribe by Email We solemnly swear: "No spam, not ever"

or, Grab our RSS → What's RSS? | How do I use it?