Palm Springs on 35mm Film

Palm Springs has become synonymous with mid-century modern architecture, and while there are exceptional examples of well-preserved modernism out in the desert, there's so much more to experience.

Just a couple miles from downtown Palm Springs, you can take the aerial tramway up into the mountains and find snow, hiking trails, bighorn sheep, bobcats and incredible views.

Sinatra, Elvis and others made homes out there and the architecture still stands as a reminder of the glamour of the 1950s and 60s. Unfortunately, like any resort city, there is plenty of tackiness, bad restaurants and bad architecture to dodge, but if you take time to get to know the city you can find genuine gems throughout the entire desert.

Before the modernist architects arrived in Palm Springs, it was made up of primarily Spanish-inspired architecture in the early 1900s. There are still beautiful oases of Spanish homes, courtyards and single-story historic hotels to enjoy throughout town.

For all the plant folks, the 80-year-old family-owned Moorten's Botanical Garden is nestled right off of Palm Canyon Drive close to the center of town, and offers a unique glimpse into the beauty of desert plant life.

While folks may try to pigeonhole Palm Springs as one type of place or another, it is an incredible town full of history, color and exceptional design. 

These photos were taken across multiple rolls of Cinestill 400d and Kodak Portra 400.

-Zack