I’m finding it hard to go for a walk nowadays without bringing a camera along. I’m very fortunate that my wife is quite accepting of this, probably because this is how it’s been for some years now. It’ s just the way it is today.
The other day we went for a little walk around the block, and I brought along the beautiful Polaroid SX-70 loaded with Polaroid 600 film (you’ll need to cut off a few plastic knobs and to put a neutral density filter in front of the film cassette to use this film with the SX-70).
I’m still getting to know the camera better, both in terms of handling but also the exposure. No histograms on the back of the Polaroid SX-70, and each click of the shutter is about $2.00, so ideally you want to get it right every time!
I decided to photograph fences in the neighborhood which resulted in a mini series which I thought I would share here just to mix things up a little bit.
“Graceful”
“Honest”
“Confused”
“Organic”
“Elegant”
It’s a lot of fun shooting with the Polaroid SX-70. Sure, you’ll get some looks from people as they see the camera or hear the Polaroid film ejecting from the bottom of the camera but people think it’s fun and are just curious.
However Polaroid cameras and film is not that rare. There’re a lot of creative photographers using the Polaroid camera and film as their creative tool of choice. If you’re interested in Polaroid photographs I can highly recommend these two books for inspiration:
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10. December 2009 at 10:08 pm
Great photos!
I have a weakness for polaroids, but here in Europe the price per shot is even a bit higher and you mostly get expired films…
I hope that ‘The Impossible Project’ will succeed in creating/producing new Polaroid films next year. This will hopefully make it a bit more affordable.
For those who have never heard of this project:
http://the-impossible-project.com/
Thanks a lot for sharing these pictures, Thomas!
11. December 2009 at 7:44 am
Hi Timo, it would be fantastic if we could eventually get some more affordable film, as it really is very expensive right now.
While I have been tempted to get some of the film that you can manipulate after exposure (Time-Zero or TZ Artistic), I’ve found these to be be prohibitively expensive. I might still try to get a pack or two at some point though, just to try it.
Fingers crossed for the Impossible Project!
11. December 2009 at 12:41 am
Well, it’s good to hear it’s not just me! My wife & family had got to despair at my insistence on lugging my DSLR around everywhere! But as I’ve heard it said, the only poor photograph is the one you don’t take! Been a bit better since I’ve also been using the camera on my iPhone.
Love the ‘Confused’ polaroid – excellent colours & like the over-exposed nature of it.
11. December 2009 at 7:45 am
Thanks a lot David. I appreciate the feedback! Yes, a compact camera or a camera phone does make it a little more easy to take pictures during social outings!