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Christopher Bonanos, Alex, 2009
The photographer says that his son's photo was taken on Christmas, 2009, using available light and automatic exposure with a #583 close-up lens on an old Polaroid Model 100 (loaded with Fuji 3000 speed pack film) that "has survived rain, spilled wine, and a daily commute on the New York subway."
The Author, Ruth, close-up, 1956
Within a year, Polaroid had marketed another substantial improvement in its black-and-white panchromatic roll film. Type 44 had a speed of ASA 400, double that of Type 42. This was taken with a very rudimentary close-up lens that looked a lot like a bottle cap that attached to the lens of the Model 95 by just pushing it on in place.
The Author, Ruth, Type 44 test, 1956
This photo was taken without a close-up lens. Just the basic Model 95. Lighting in both photos was probably a no. 2 photoflood in a Luxo drawing board lamp.
Ruth Giambarba, The Author, Type 42, 1955
Polaroid had come a long way, baby, from the original Type 40 orthochromatic roll film of 1948-1950 to its Type 42 panchromatic roll film , that was sold from 1955 to 1992. I lugged along my old Model 95 as well as the old Rolleiflex I had bought used and joked that it had belonged to Hitler. (I made the sun shade out of black cardboard and masking tape.)
You can see in the photo, taken in Montreux, Switzerland, the clear resolution of flesh tones, cloth, paper and stone that had been achieved in just seven years.
Ponte, hausbayern, 2009
Daniela, aka Ponte, is a talented photographer from Munich, Germany. Her wonderful work may be seen on Flickr where she writes, "....I am just shooting around..always in search for beautiful things. Even when I don`t have my camera with me I take photographs (only for my mind of course), whenever there is something that catches my eye. PLEASE tell me what you think. I like getting (nice) comments a lot!"
and on her website.
Jürgen Kreileder, Louvre, 2010
I know that Jürgen prefers this photo taken at the Louvre, and with good reason, but I prefer the above because I'm an old art director and I can't resist the look and the pose of his lovely friend. And that's why I consider it a splendid photo and necessary for inclusion here. Taken with a Polaroid EE100 and 669 film.
Jürgen's other excellent photos may be viewed by clicking on his Flickr link.
Susannah Conway, selfie, 2010
Susannah is one of the most talented communicators of today. Her writing and presentations are as irresistable as her photos. One look at her Flickr site and you'll see what she can do with conventional as well as instant photography.
Susannah Conway, hornplayer, Bath, 2011
Segue now to her website and page 12 for her photos and description of the wedding of her friends.
Susannah and some other friends have recently completed their own Polaroid book to be published in the coming year by the prestigious Chronicle Books of San Francisco. More on that later when we can concentrate on more about this remarkable and photogenic talent.
I thought you might be interested in how we used to enhance Polaroid photography for print media.
Monika Brand [mrs.b], Lilly, 2010
I discovered the exceptional work of Mrs. B and her lovely models while searching through Flickriver. This is a great Polaroid photo, taken on SX-70-TZ Artistic. Traditional 4-color separations would have to be scanned and then proofs inspected as part of the pre-press process.
I've approximated with Photoshop Auto Color filter how it would have been enhanced for better print quality on paper because of the loss in quality from photo to negative film and then to press.
This is enhancement with Photoshop Auto Tone, which I think is too much correction. The skin tones are too pink for my tastes.
In my experience, I can't recall any important Polaroid photo committed to print without substantial corrections. Click on images to enlarge them.
Antoaneta, untitled, 2009
I love this whimsical photo by Canadian photographer Antoaneta Julea, who says, "The photo was taken in Bois de Vincennes with a Spectra camera from the last batch they produced (possibly slightly expired at the time I took this but I can't be sure)." Click on image to enlarge it.
Antoaneta is also a pastry chef and one of her latest projects can be found at http://galipetteparis.com/bio.html
Enlargement of the above, so you'll know there are people cooperating with the taking of this photo.
Leanne Surfleet, untitled, 2009
Another fine photo from Leanne, whose very whimsical self-portrait appeared earlier as no, 15, below. Trust me, that's a quite a stretch for competent instant photography. Click on image to enlarge it.
Leanne Surfleet, 35/52, Polaroid, 2010
The author, Uncle Ed's garrison house, 1952
Lest we forget, this photo is very typical of early Polaroid output. It was taken with a Model 95 camera on roll film, the only kind available for it.
Please keep in mind the time frame involved here. To judge by the snow on the ground and my car in the driveway, this was taken within three years of the introduction of Polaroid instant photography.
We'll trace this development in later uploads. Click on image to enlarge it.
Esprit de Jeunesse, Just another nameless memory for escape from reality, 2008
She says of this enchanting photo:
"When I was 10, my grandmother gave me my first camera and since then I never stopped taking pictures, I always carry one camera in my bag, I am always waiting for the right shot. When I was 10, my first camera made me realize that with photography I had the immense power to create memories. How can you say no to a power strong like this? "
Click on image to enlarge it.
Jean-François Dupuis, Polaroid, Lips, Conceptual, 2008
Here are two more stunning examples of instant photography for portraits. "As a photo based artist in Sherbrooke [Quebec, Canada], working in both colour, black and white, and alternative processes, part of my exploration has been to push the boundary of what is perceived as photography, in an effort to create a vision of our world that absorbs the viewer, and transports them outside of themselves. Photographer Canadian artist since 1999. . . ." -- J-F Dupuis Artist Statement, from Flickr. Also in French.
Jean-François Dupuis, Polaroid, nude woman, 2008
I suppose it had to happen. My selection for this slot must be on vacation. With your indulgence I'll pick up the slack with some examples of what the original Polaroid cameras and film produced in the early years of instant photography.
The author, Harold Irving Smith, circa 1951
This is an unretouched or Photoshopped scan of my dear mentor, portrait painter Harold Irving Smith, with whom I studied in the period directly after World War II, 1946 through 1949. The camera I used was an original Polaroid Land Camera Model 95, purchased at the Jordan Marsh department store in Boston, where it was introduced. It used orthochromatic roll film with die cut deckle edges, precursor of the later panchromatic film Type 42. The streak marks indicate just how sloppy I was in applying the coater that was packaged in every roll of film.
Please keep in mind the time frame involved here. This was taken probably within two years of the introduction of Polaroid instant photography.
We'll trace this development in later uploads. Click on image to enlarge it.
Jen Gotch [Danske] anniversaryselfportrait, 2008
What a photo! As a disclaimer I have to confess that I studied with a great portrait painter and student of the great Robert Henri. That's what makes me a big fan of people pictures. This one is so beautiful it practically brought tears to the eyes of this old man.
Jen said this about her photo on Flickr: ". . . self portrait i took right before we left to renew our vows. I made a floral headbandy thing for the occasion. Headbandy things are fun.
"FOR SAVE POLAROID.
"What makes polaroid special to me? Hmmmmm. I am never really very good at answering those types of questions. I think the things that make it special to me are probably the same things that make it special to most. But I can say this. The other day I took a polaroid and I actually just sat there and watched as the image appeared inside that little white frame. I didn't look away, not even for a second (which is saying a lot if you know me, and my A.D.D.). I have to tell you that I got a bit teary eyed. It was so beautiful. I hate to think of not being able to have that magical experience over and over again for the rest of my life."
Parker Fitzgerald, August 19, 2010, 2010
Taken with a Polaroid Model 195, number 226 of 365, which this extraordinarily creative photographer/writer called his "everyday project for 2010."
The mind boggles imagining the pressure to come up with an image and appropriate verse for every day of one year! Click on this link for his portfolio of great Polaroid photos.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Lauren Beacham [jerseymaids] la ville lumiere, Paris at Night, 2009
"I [took this] photo in Paris in April 2009 . . . using a vintage Polaroid 680 camera. The Eiffel tower would light up for a few minutes on the hour and I was lucky enough t be in the perfec spot, overlooking the park, at the perfect moment . . . . "
Your Photo of the Day: Bastille Day Meets Polaroid Week, Editor's Pick. By Emily Boyle via Flickr and National Public Radio.
Click here to check out Lauren's blog and custom gift ideas.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Philippe Bourgoin, Light, 2011
Top notch French photographer Bourgoin writes from Paris on Polanoid: "[There was] so little light I need Charo to light the Zippo [for me] to . . . focus." Taken with an SLR Polaroid 680 SE with Impossible PX600 film.
You can find more excellent photos by Philippe Bourgoin by clicking on this link. Some might be NSFW.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Mikael Kennedy, i can't remember where I've been , 2010
From Kennedy's Passport to Trespass Vol. VI.
New Polaroid photos are regularly published on the Passport to Trespass blog as part of a decade long documentation of Kennedy's travels. The Polaroid photos are also published in an ongoing series of limited edition books available online and at select stores.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Jeff Hutton, untitled, 2011
Well, we know it's the Brooklyn Bridge and the favorite of so many painters as well as photographers. This is by jeffreywithtwof's as he signs his pages on Flickr. He identifies the photo as PX/PZ Color Shade by The Impossible Project and the camera as a Polaroid 680se.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Massimo Dotti, Giulia II, Look at me . . . 2011
You know I couldn't resist this lovely portrait. What a treat it is to stumble upon such an enchanting face, made all that much more interesting by a great photograph.
Massimo, who is from Modena in northern Italy, a city of fast cars and great food, introduces himself on Flickr as someone who likes cold beer, evenings in the country, his daughter's kisses, summer at the beach, his Polaroid . . .
Click on image to enlarge it.
The Real Janelle, untitled, 2009
This photo of row houses really stopped me and I surfed more than 200 examples of Janelle's great photos on the real janelle's photostream before I found it among many, many other great examples of architectural photography. Taken with a Polaroid SX-70 and 600 film.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Azurée Witala, Atlanta GA, 2010
A special thank you to Azurée for playing talent scout and suggesting some outstanding photographers for me to introduce here. It turns out that she's about as talented as they get, so I'm offering two of hers so you can see for yourself. This was taken with a Polaroid 600 and I've enhanced it in Photoshop with Auto Color.
Azurée Witala, Colorshade PUSH! + PX 680 Beta, 2011
Azurée writes: "I forgot about this comparison diptych I meant to make a few months ago. These images were taken moments after each other. There were two bank lights one on each side of Christoper. I think each [Impossible Project] film is special in its own way and I am in love with them both. . . ."
Click on images to enlarge them.
Click on images for enlargement.
Rémi Lavergne, Self, 2011
What a treat it is to discover outstanding talent! This is a self portrait of the photographer, taken with a Polaroid 680 SLR with Impossible PX600 film.
Rémi Lavergne, Two [Julie], 2011
A very provocative and sculptural photo taken with a 680 SLR and PX600 UV+
And, presently under construction: http://www.remi-lavergne.com
The gentleman amateur, London, April 24th, 2011, 2011
081011 -- Just got this to add to the information regarding the photo:
". . . . The picture was shot with a Polaroid SX70 camera and Time Zero film, which remains my all-time favourite camera/film combination.
As you deduced, snaggletooth was the model in the picture, but I always credit my models as collaborators, as I believe they are as vital to the making of a picture as I am. . . ."
Many thanks again, and all best wishes from London,
The Gentleman Amateur
Emily Hunt, 52/52, 2010
This is a very impressive self-portrait by Kansan Emily Hunt, taken with a Polaroid Spectra with very dramatic lighting, and found on Emily Hunt's Photostream on Flickr.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Buhoazul, out of season, Polaroid SX-70, expired Time Zero, 2010
Peeled apart integral film by a very talented Spanish photographer from Càdiz found on Flickr, who also sells prints from photos on an Etsy site. I could not find his or her name but I can tell you that buho azul translates into English as blue owl.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Alison Garnett, Pink, Polaroid 680, 779 film, 2011
This is one of many wonderful photos which appear in Alison's "Land of Sparkalot."
Alison is a creative director by day, and says that among other things, she shoots film with toy cameras after hours. See more of her remarkable work at her Lalaland link.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Ludwig West, moi1, Polaroid SX-70, Artistic TZ film, 2009. Click on image to enlarge it.
I like this straightforward self-portrait found on Flickr. West says of it, "Me[,] taken a few minutes ago or how I became a total Pola-addict within a few months. I just love the irreplaceable feeling of instant photography . . . I just can't be bothered with digital anymore . . . The Polaroid does it all itself. All we need to do is seek for the light . . . Even if the photo isn't interesting . . . at least it has personality!"
Click on this link for more great instant photos by Ludwig West.
Whitney Johnson [revivify] untitled, Polaroid SLR 680, 2009
Oh, man, this is the kind of photo that makes you sing for joy when you discover it. Whitney describes it in her Flickr tags: "me • my first shot in my new place • my arm/shoulder looks weird [no, it doesn't] because I was taking the shot with said arm because my cable release is nowhere to be found . . . ."
As I wrote yesterday in praise of Patrick Hoelck's photo, it's content, such as this, which makes a photo great.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Patrick Hoelck, untitled [#125 of 147, personal & polaroid,] date unknown
I have no idea of the equipment used for this shot but no matter, it is as good as it gets and it's instant film. Of course it matters that Patrick Hoelck is an A-list professional photographer, who's taken great portraits of Clint Eastwood and Emily Blunt, because this model has been chosen with the ultimate in good taste. And the photo, like any good story, abounds in content. One of the best I've seen.
Click on image to enlarge it.
Click on images for enlargement.
Rommel©, sound_of_summer, Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 camera on ATZ film, 2010
Here's a delightful photo that should say summer to all those who view it. I made a slight correction in Photoshop that lightened it up a bit as if I were planning to use this in four-color printing.
Rommel©, sound_of_summer, Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 camera on expired SX-70 film, 2011
I couldn't resist adding this splendid photo as well. I'm guessing that those gulls were nesting and Rommel the photographer was being buzzed at the time. It has happened to me with terns and to hear those wings and cries makes one want to leave the area without delay.
Click on image for enlargement.
Jen Altman [fieryeyed] me on px600 uv+, 2010
A very fascinating self-portrait of professional photographer Jen Altman who writes on her Flickr page as fieryeyed, ". . . the contrast seems sharper than the shots I took for IP -- not nearly as much magenta, then again I scanned this immediately. . . ."
I think it's a great shot and you can see that I'm just one among many if you click on this link.