Capturing Nostalgia: The Enchantment of Analog Film Through Pamplemousse Magazine

“Putting each magazine out is a very precarious endeavor,” Lalle states. “It’s my taste. It’s my choice of contributors. It’s my perspective. I am extremely self-critical: I frequently notice something amiss or that I would alter once it’s published, but whenever individuals engage with it, react favorably, it feels incredibly validating, and I sense that people recognize my passion.”

It’s Lalle as a standalone publisher, editor-in-chief, event organizer, and beyond. Committed volunteers such as Senior Editor Jess Rhodes, Associate Editor Camila Gutiérrez Cordova, and Graphic Designer Hannah Mendenhall Schmuck contribute to every edition, and Frank Lalle and Sue Schwartz aid with consulting, strategizing, and staffing. Pamplemousse now releases three editions annually, during spring, summer, and autumn.

Lalle is captivated by film photography due to its “delicate and deliberate” essence. It provides a grainy, tactile method to capture experiences. For numerous photographers, the camera’s mechanics elevate this straightforward instrument into a significant journey of converting intricate feelings into a frozen moment.

“Every photograph emerging from that process is more treasured,” she notes, acknowledging that the limitations of film, including a roll’s finite capacity, the expenses related to development and printing, and the unique characteristics of diverse film stocks, all steer artistic investigation.

Lalle aims to showcase talent from around the globe while remaining rooted in the Bay Area. Besides participating in local events in San Francisco and the East Bay, she also sets up tables at book fairs, art fairs, exhibitions, and festivals both nationally and internationally.

With the slogan “Fresh Voices, Classic Formats,” Pamplemousse strives to spotlight creativity and originality, as well as to provide a platform for marginalized, up-and-coming artistic voices. (Occasionally, the magazine includes features on established artists.) Lalle’s aspiration is to connect with audiences who might not have any knowledge of photography or consider themselves art enthusiasts.