Futurowoman Fotographie

OCCUPY WALL STREET

2011-09-30T08:21:00.001-05:00

Here's Harper!

2010-11-28T17:18:00.003-06:00

My friends Diana & Josh just had their little daughter, Harper, and I was lucky enough to take some photos of her yesterday (at the tender age of 17 days old!) Here are some of my favorite pics that I took of her--isn't she precious?!?!?

First of all, here are a few digital photos that I took using my Olympus e-300 DSLR and a beautiful Zuiko 50mm lens.

And of course I had to take some SX-70 Polaroids as well! (The film is expired 600):

I'm so excited to watch Harper grow and discover the world around her--and of course, I've already explained to her parents that I'll be watching with a camera in my hands! :)

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale!

2010-11-25T18:20:00.003-06:00

Futurowoman Fotographie is having a sale! From Black Friday through Cyber Monday, all prints in my Etsy shop are 30% off! Moreover, if you'd like a special order from one of my Flickr photos, let me know, and I will list it at the sale price for you! Here are just a few of the prints currently in my shop:

Thank you so much, and happy holidays!

My 2011 Polaroid Calendar!

2010-11-14T15:15:00.008-06:00

I'm happy to announce that my 2011 Polaroid calendar is now available for purchase!

The calendar features nineteen of my favorite instant photos from the past year, taken using a variety of cameras and films, including several of the new films by the Impossible Project! Here's a sneak peak of some of the photos I've selected:

To preview all of the months, click here, then click on each one of the months below the main image. These calendars make beautiful and useful gifts, for yourself and others this holiday season. Thanks so much to everyone who has encouraged my photography over this past year--I really appreciate you!

Roid Week Fall 2010, Day 5

2010-11-05T09:23:00.003-05:00

It's been an amazing Roid Week, and I'd like to thank everyone for sharing their inspiring images! If you'd like to get in on the instant photography action, check out the Impossible Project and their amazing work making new film and restored cameras available to the world!

Pacific
I had a dream, and the dream became a plan, and the plan became actualized:
You and me, sitting on the beach.
Counting the sets as the waves broke.
Watching the Pacific belie its name.

SX-70 camera
Impossible Project PX70FF film

The Flatiron in Winter (negative)
Polaroid 104 + Sepia 100 film Negative (levels adjusted)
You can see the positive here.

Thank you.

Roid Week Fall 2010, Day 4

2010-11-04T10:54:00.005-05:00

'Roid Week is always so inspiring! Here are my two photos for today--I hope you enjoy them.

Montague Terrace (in Blue)
But we know, don't we?
And we'll dream, won't we?
Of Montague Terrace, in blue...

E-Z CHEK No. 7

Both of these photos were taken this past summer, using my SX-70 camera and beautiful nine-year-expired Time-Zero film I received from Tina as part of my Proposition Project.

Thank you :)

Roid Week Fall 2010, Day 3

2010-11-03T08:31:00.003-05:00

I can't believe we're already midway through 'Roid Week! Here are my contributions for today:

The Dinosaurs' Habitat
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ (expired)

Persian Melon
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Impossible Project PX70 Colorshade First Flush

thank you xo

'Roid Week Fall 2010, Day 2

2010-11-02T08:10:00.003-05:00

'Roid Week Fall 2010 is blowing my mind with its awesomeness!

Orson, Being Contemplative

Laika, Dreaming

I shot these photos of my dogs in the summer 2010 using my SX-70 camera and 9-year expired Time-Zero film that Tina very generously gave me for my Proposition Project. Thank you, Tina!

'Roid Week Fall 2010, Day 1

2010-11-01T07:47:00.003-05:00

The time has come: it's 'Roid Week Fall 2010.

Pearl

The Same Sky is Not Enough

Horoscope for Capricorn. Oct 30 2010:
Everyone has regrets, Capricorn. Everyone wonders "what if?" at some point in life when things haven't gone as planned. You may now be looking in the rear view mirror trying to figure out what you could have done differently in a situation that has left you unhappy and unsatisfied. But situations don't look the same in a rear view mirror as they did when you were walking straight into them. Keep that in mind as you come to a fork in the road today. You have a choice to make. It's a tough choice, but if you stay on the high road and follow your heart, you'll choose the right direction.

Polaroid SX-70 camera
Impossible Project PX600SS/FF film

Taking Portraits of People

2010-10-17T13:21:00.003-05:00

I don't take a lot of photos of people, but I do enjoy taking photos of special people in my life. (This is distinct from photos of strangers, of which I have a growing collection, too.) This morning I started going through some of my favorite portraits--both posed and candid--and thinking about what makes them special to me. I think the main emotion I try to express in the images of people that I create is a sense of connection. Sometimes the connection is with the photographer; at other times, another person, animal, or an object is the focus of connection. I'm hoping to become a better portraiture photographer in the coming years. Until then, here are some of my favorites:

Bryan, With Reflection (2008)
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Classic Pan 400

My Mother and Her Doll, II (2007)
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Classic Pan 400

Daisy & Charlie (2010)
Camera: Olympus e-300 DSLR

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (2003)
Camera: Olympus APS
Film: Kodak APS 800

Alex on her Rooftop (2009)
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

Ben Gets An Ice Cream From the Ice Cream (Wo)Man (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70 Alpha 1, Model 2
Film: Polaroid 600 *expired* + ND filter

I'm Having a Huge Sale!

2010-10-16T09:14:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I'm having a 40% off sale on all photography prints in my Etsy shop! Now through October 24th, everything in my shop is deeply discounted, and there are no codes needed! This is a great time to stock up on prints you've always wanted, as well as holiday gifts!

One of my favorites, A Zeppelin Over San Francisco (2009)

Thanks to all of you for supporting my photography!

10/10/10, 10:10

2010-10-10T20:21:00.005-05:00

It's 10/10/10, and this is how Laika spent her 10:10 moment:

Camera: Polaroid Spectra System SE
Film: Polaroid Spectra Grid Film (expired)

Learning to Sew

2010-10-08T09:22:00.006-05:00

I've been teaching myself how to sew, and I really enjoy it!

Learning to Sew (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired), no ND filter
signed print at my etsy

With help from a variety of books (including those by Amy Karol, Amy Butler, and Martha Stewart), as well as the rad online sewing class from Freckled Nest, Home Ec, some trial and error and a very easy-to-use sewing machine from Brother, I've found that it's a fun, easy, and rewarding hobby!

Do you sew? If "sew" (lol!), share your best sewing story or advice, please!

Colorshade Still Lifes (or, Instant Photography Still Lives!)

2010-09-05T12:54:00.010-05:00

I keep shooting and shooting, but I haven't had a lot of time to scan photos lately. However, I do hope you'll enjoy these still life photos I've taken with the beautiful, new Impossible Project PX70 Colorshade film for Sx-70 cameras.

St. George's Absinthe Verte
I love this wonderful California-made Absinthe by St. George's Spirits.

A Basil Bouquet
I have a massive (as in, over a yard tall!) basil plant on my walkway. I took some cuttings and made this impromptu bouquet. After a couple of weeks, I noticed that it was not only still ultra-fresh, but it has grown roots, so I gave it to a friend to start her own plant.

Delicate
I love the delicate pink color that appeared on this photo. It lends a new life to this familiar orchid, I think!

I'm so grateful to the Impossible Project for all that they are doing to make it possible for us all to shoot beautiful instant photos! It's an exciting adventure to be shooting these first-generation films, and I am doubly-excited to share them with you!

Color Shade is Here!

2010-08-13T18:02:00.006-05:00

The Impossible Project keeps amazing me with their inventiveness! They've been working hard, creating new films--from scratch!--for all of us who love to shoot instant Polaroid cameras, and they just released their first color film! It's called PX 70 Color Shade, it's made for the SX-70, and this is the first photo I took with my first pack. The film takes a few days to fully develop, so I scanned a few versions, to show you how the images transform.

Laika in ColorShade (August 2010)

Here is the photo has about one hour of development. I love the cracklature effect!

Here's the photo about 17.5 hours after exposure. Notice the colors becoming richer and the illusion of cracklature disappearing...

...and here is the photo about five days after development.

I am in love with this new film, and I'm excited to watch the Impossible Project's progress as they reinvent instant photography! Thank you, IP!

Daisy-Baby!

2010-08-12T18:23:00.006-05:00

I had such a fun time taking photos last Sunday of my friend (and former student) Amy and her beautiful baby daughter, Daisy. Isn't Daisy a little darling? Here are some of my favorite photos (so far--I still have film to process!)

SX-70+expired600 film (no ND filter):

Olympus e-300 camera with 50mm f2.0 Zuiko macro lens:

I'm honing my portrait-taking skills, so any advice you may have, please pass it on!

Cupcake Time

2010-08-06T12:01:00.003-05:00

Sometimes, cupcakes are in order...

Cupcake Time (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired)

There's a signed print available in my Etsy shop.

These cupcakes come from A&J Bakery in Dallas, Texas.

Moonlight

2010-07-31T20:13:00.006-05:00

Sometimes you get a pack of film that is very distinctive. I was so lucky to get this beautiful pack of 9-year expired Time-Zero Polaroid film as part of my Proposition Project, and I love its rich blues and speckled imperfections.

I bought a lovely pale blue and cream hydrangea bouquet to photograph with this pack of film, and I was particularly taken by the way the expired emulsion played with the light shining upon the flowers. Someone on Polanoid mentioned to me that it was reminiscent of moonlight, and I really like that description.

Hydrangea in a Ball Jar, or, Moonlight
click for signed prints

The Essence of Hydrangea
signed print here

Both of these photos were taken using my Polaroid SX-70 camera.
Thanks for looking!

Sewing!

2010-07-28T19:44:00.017-05:00

I've been so bad about updating my blog this summer! I've been shooting all kinds of photos, and I have scads to share with you, but I've also been teaching myself to sew this summer! I bought myself a Brother sewing machine (which I love!) and set out to learn to sew! So far, I've finished two projects:

This is my first project--a zip pouch that I based on a pattern in Amy Karol's Bend the Rules Sewing. Everyone was telling me that zippers are really hard, so I decided it was important to start with them, and I actually didn't find it that challenging.

This is my second project--another zip pouch! This time, however, I followed this great tutorial by Twelve22; it's got great tips for sewing in the lining that I found quite easy. I also put this rad retro label in there, just for fun! :)

I've also started a quilt! So far, I'm just in the earliest cutting stages, but I'm excited about getting underway!

So far, I've found teaching myself easy. However, I decided that it would be great to take a class, but with my busy schedule--as well as a lack of local classes that seem reasonable--I couldn't find one. Then, I learned about this awesome online class series, Home Ec from Freckled Nest!

I'm so excited to take this class, which seems perfect for me, because it's go-at-your-own-pace and you can take up to a year to complete it. I love that all of the projects are functional and teach valuable skills. I'll keep you posted on my progress! In the meantime, do you sew? If so, share! If not...maybe you need to sign up for Home Ec! :)

Cold War Unicorns

2010-07-20T10:15:00.003-05:00

Cold War Unicorns (2010)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (expired 2006)
This is from my first Proposition pack.
There are signed prints for sale here.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T09:08:00.003-05:00

Happy Independence Day to all of my compatriots!

Alamo Discount Fireworks (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (expired 2001!)
Location: Denton County, Texas, USA

This is a photo from my second pack of film from my Proposition Project! I've many more photos to share with you in coming weeks!

This Weekend's Portraits

2010-06-06T19:09:00.005-05:00

I've been working really hard over the past few weeks, but I've been trying to take photos here and there, mostly of my dogs, aka my babies! I took these two photos this weekend, and I really like them, if I do say so myself! I shot both of them using my Polaroid Sx-70 camera and a sweet box of the Impossible Project's PX600 Silver Shade/First Flush film.

Laika, 5th June 2010

Orson is a Yogi
I love this! Orson sits like this all the time, so I'm really glad this one turned out.

I hope you enjoy my little dog portraits from this weekend!

The Banality of Banality

2010-05-30T07:30:00.005-05:00

I've been so busy with work over the last couple of months that I've barely had a chance to share a large backlog of photos I've taken! This is a quickie: two Polaroids I shot this past Friday while I was in Fort Worth.

Metro Food Outlet
This place is in Lake Worth, and it reminds me of something that may be in Martin Parr's Boring Postcards. It's simply insanely perfect, banners and all!

Cleaning Supplies at the 99¢ only store
I've been in love with the displays at the 99¢ Only Stores since I visited my first one on Wilshire in LA. This one is in Fort Worth, Texas. Love those nearly-invisible Care Bear fabric softeners!

Both of these photos were taken using my Polaroid Sx-70 camera, expired 600 Polaroid film, and no ND filter. I hope to have more time to share more photos soon!

Also, if you're so inclined, please check out this interview with me at Morgana Wilborn's great blog!

A Harinezumi Contest!

2010-05-11T16:22:00.004-05:00

Hey everyone! The people at Superheadz are putting on a rad contest for the best films made by their Digitial Harinezumi camera. As you know, I'm a big fan of this tiny camera, so I'm totally going to enter this contest! Better hurry, though, because submissions are due by May 21st!

Visit this site for more info!

And here's the first film I ever made with my Zumi: "Laika Gets Hot!"

Final Day of 'Roid Week, Spring 2010!

2010-05-08T08:26:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was the last day of 'Roid Week for Spring 2010, and I posted three photos! First, I posted these two (there is a limit of two per day/per person), both of Orson, my little dog, and both from my February session as a tester of the new Impossible Project film:

Orson Giving Me His Look
When Orson wants something, he sits up really straight, looks at you with this face, and high-fives you and makes weird little noises until you submit to his will!

Orson, February 2010
I love his cute profile and the grain in this photo. However, no one else seemed to like this photo in the 'Roid Week pool, and yesterday morning, I shot the below photo of Laika, so I took this second one of Orson out of the pool and added this one:

Laika, 7 May 2010
I used my Sx-70 and Fade to Black film for this one.

Overall, 'Roid Week was amazing, and I can't wait until the next one in the Fall!

Roid Week-Day 4!

2010-05-06T20:19:00.005-05:00

'Roid Week keeps on truckin! Here are my two contributions to today's pool!

Channels
This is one of my shots from my experience as a tester of the new Impossible Project integral film (called Type 40 in the test), using my SX-70 camera. I love this flower and the way each petal has discreet channels for water and nectar to flow in and out.

Fade-to-Black Orchids
Can't.Stop.Photographing.Orchids.
This one was taken using my Sx-70 and Fade to Black film, then scanned about 2 minutes into the development process.

Only one more day of 'Roid Week for Spring 2010! I need to figure out what my last two shots will be...

'Roid Week, Day 3 = Laika Day!

2010-05-05T20:17:00.004-05:00

Today is Day 3 of 'Roid Week, and I decided to share a couple of instant photos of Laika, my whippet, today!

A Laika Holgaroid in the Backyard, 24 March 2010
This was taken using my Holgaroid and expired Type 89 film

Rainy Day Whippet
This is a moody, arty photo that few people seem to like on Flickr, but I love it! This is Laika, doing what she does on rainy days!
I took this using my Polaroid SX-70 and expired 600 B&W film that Anne gave me (thank you!)

Only two more days of 'Roid Week! See you tomorrow :)

'Roid Week, Day 2!

2010-05-04T21:20:00.004-05:00

This Spring's 'Roid Week is already blowing me away! There are so many great photos in the Flickr pool, I'm in awe of all of the amazing photographers shooting instant film! Here are my two submissions from today! They were both taken using my beloved Holgaroid and expired Type 89 film.

Jack Starr Cut Rate Liquors
Anyone who looks at my photographs regularly knows that I love to shoot signs. Some people have told me it's cliché, but I think it's important to record these crazy expressions of consumer culture. It is the historian in me, no doubt, that salivates at the sight of a particularly awesome mid-century sign still hawking its wares. This one is in Fort Worth, Texas, USA, a city that has a great selection of vintage signs!

Clown Burgers (a Holgaroid Version)
I took several pics of this sign in Haltom City, Texas, because it's just too cool not to. This is my favorite of the Holgaroid pics I shot. There were some that had more of the sign, but I really liked the angle and faded colors of this one. You can see my Time-zero version here.

Still three more days of 'Roid Week, so if you've got some instant film, shoot it and join the fun!

It's Roid Week 2010, Day 1!

2010-05-03T17:24:00.004-05:00

I'm totally excited about this spring's 'Roid Week! Today's the first day, and the group pool is already packed with awesome instant photography images! Here are my first two submissions, both shot with my SX-70 and using the gorgeous Time-Zero I received as part of my proposition to my readers!

The Thing of Dreams
This is yet another shot of the red poppy anemones I got awhile back. I couldn't stop photographing this beautiful wildflower bouquet!
There is a signed print of this photo in my etsy shop!

The Redbuds
A beautification group in my town gives away small trees once a year to residents, and a few years ago, I got a dormant redbud tree from them to plant. It looked like a stick, but it's grown into an impressive young tree now! This spring, it was covered in redbuds, too, which was beautiful!

I can't wait to share more Polaroids with you all week long as part of 'Roid Week, and see all the other great photos taken all over the world with instant cameras and film!

More Photos from my First Proposition!

2010-05-02T21:30:00.009-05:00

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I sent out a call for people to send me packs of Time-Zero film to shoot, in exchange for the originals! Well, here's the second installment of my presentation of some of the photos I've taken from the first pack I received. You can see the first installment here. I hope you enjoy them!

Red and Purple Anemones in a Jar
I love these beautiful flowers; they became the subject for many photos, including one of my favorites that I've ever taken, which you can see here.

Clown Hamburgers
I love this sign, which I found in Haltom City, Texas! I hear the burgers there are awesome, but they were closed when I visited. I'll have to go back!

I'll be sharing more photos from this awesome pack of film very soon! Thank you so much to Jeff for this special chance to shoot my favorite film again!

Prints of these photos are in my Etsy shop!

More from Worldwide Pinhole Day!

2010-05-02T10:52:00.004-05:00

Last Sunday was Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, and I thought I'd post more from that day before the start of 'Roid Week 2010 tomorrow! ;)

One of the places where I did some shooting was at this cool retro dry cleaners on Main Street in Fort Worth. I really like the composition in both of these photos; I think my composition is usually funky, but these are particularly so because you're never quite sure what you'll get with pinhole.

Employee Parking

For Clothes That Money Can't Buy

Another place where I took some photos was the beautiful Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The building is stunning, and so is the collection, but I was particularly excited to find this fun retro Le Sabre parked in front! It was a windy day, and the screw mount attachment for the tripod on my Daylab Polaroid Pinhole camera is broken, so these photos are slightly blurry from the shake.

The Sabre

A Le Sabre at the Museum

All of these photos were taken using expired Polaroid UV/ID film, except the last one, which was taken using expired Polaroid 669 film. Thank you for looking!

WorldwidePinhole Photography Day!

2010-04-29T08:36:00.006-05:00

Last Sunday was Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day, a fun annual photo event that gets people out and about with their homemade and purchased pinhole cameras to shoot the most lo-fi of images! I love it, because it gives me an excuse to go out and take photos using my Daylab Polaroid Pinhole camera, a fun little plastic camera that I always enjoy using. After some years of use, though, I'm having a slight problem with it; the screw mount that attaches it to the tripod has fallen out! I need to get this fixed, because on super-windy days (such as this past Sunday), not being adequately attached to my tripod causes some shake issues with pinhole photography!

In any case, I went out with my Daylab and my Diana+ in pinhole mode (still need to develop those images), and shot some fun pinholes. Here are some of my favorites that I've scanned so far...

The Indian Paintbrush at 10:30 AM
This was taken using my Daylab and expired Polaroid UV/ID film

The Indian Paintbrush at 3:30 PM
This is the same beautiful field of wildflowers as the photo above, except it was taken later in the day, using my Daylab and expired Polaroid 669 film
I've added a print of this one to my Etsy shop!

The Cottage Garden
I took this one at the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, in their Cottage Garden, using my Daylab and expired Polaroid 669 film

More to come! If you've never shot with a pinhole photo, you should try it--it's very fun!

One Hundred

2010-04-27T15:39:00.003-05:00

If she were still alive, my grandmother would be 100 years old today. She passed away in 2003, and I'll always miss her. Look at this beautiful photo of her at the age of 16!

Just wanted to share this sweet photo of my sweet grandmother!

First Results from my Proposition!

2010-04-16T15:16:00.006-05:00

Awhile back, I posted a blog where I made a proposition to my readers: Send me a pack of Polaroid Time-Zero film, and I'll shoot it for you! Well, two kind people sent me packs of film, and I've shot one of those packs so far! Here are a couple of images from this pack, sent by Jeff. Thank you so much, Jeff, for this amazing pack of Time-Zero expired in 2006!

This is a Secret
signed print available here
I love these beautiful ranunculus flowers, one of my favorite signs of spring!

The Orchids Are Blooming Again
signed print available here
I have a small collection of orchids, and I'm always thrilled when they grace my home with their beautiful blooms!

I have so many more images to share with you from this pack, and I can't wait to shoot the second pack I received as well! And remember, if anyone else would like to take part in this project, check out my proposition and drop me a line! :)

A Simple Bouquet

2010-03-28T21:06:00.006-05:00

I love the beautiful wildflowers of spring, and on Friday, I got myself some poppy anemones from the Texas hill country to enjoy. I decided to take this photo of them, and I hope you like it.

Poppy Anemones (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Fade to Black
This photo is in the process of fading to black, but I hope to solarize it and share it again later this year!

There's a print of this photo in my Etsy shop. Have a beautiful week ahead!

More of my Impossible Project Test Shots!

2010-03-24T10:48:00.007-05:00

On Monday, I posted five of my shots from my experience as a tester of the new Impossible Project film stock for Polaroid SX-70 cameras. I'd like to share five more photos with you now, and I hope you like them!

I like my coffee analogue, like my photography

Laika, February 2010

I came across an Impala...

Peteena, Looking Tough

Jade, Looking Circumspect

I've added two of my photos from this experimentation to my Etsy shop as very limited edition prints, and will add more in coming days! Don't forget: the new PX100 and PX600 films for Polaroid SX-70 and Polaroid 600 cameras go on sale tomorrow from the Impossible Project shop!

It Is POSSIBLE!!!!!

2010-03-22T10:31:00.005-05:00

They said it couldn't be done, but the IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT is bringing back original instant film for your classic SX-70 camera!!!!!

I was deeply honored to be selected to be one of the test photographers of the new, beautiful Impossible Project film for SX-70 cameras, and I'd like to share some of my favorites from the 32 shots I made for them! (I will keep posting throughout the week!) What you see here are test photos; the final product may provide different results for you, but the wonderful thing about this new film is its flexibility and fluidity. I am so overwhelmed and honored to have been a part of this history, and I am so grateful to the Impossible Project for making this day possible.

These two photos have been selected by the Impossible team to be part of their first presentation of materials, and are currently hanging at their headquarters in New York City.

The Campus Theatre (2010)
Denton, Texas, USA

An Open Chrysanthemum (2010)

And these are three of my favorites from my test photos:

Orson, February 2010
My precious little terrier boyfriend!

The Blonde
One of my Susie Sad Eyes dolls

The Orchids
I love the grain in this photo--it's one of my favorites.

I am overwhelmed by the honor of being a tiny part of this monumental moment of photography history. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the Impossible Project for making this possible! Be sure to watch the film about the new film here!

Remember the words of Edwin Land, the inventor of Polaroid: "Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible."

I Have a Proposition for You!

2010-03-05T18:36:00.004-06:00

I have a little proposition for you! Do you have any spare Polaroid Time-Zero film laying about? If so, I'd love to shoot it for you! Here's my proposition:

You send me the film, and I will shoot it and send the originals back to you! What's the catch? I have the right to shoot what I want, scan them before I send them back, and sell any prints from the scans, if they come out nice!

If you'd like to enter into this little deal with me, send me an email! Regardless of how old the film is, I will shoot your film (provided the battery inside works!), sign the originals, and send them back to you! And if you're wondering what I do with Time-Zero, check out my Flickr set of Time-Zero Polaroids I've shot since 2005!

Thanks for considering!

Identification (2007)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
Self-portrait

Floridian Landscapes

2010-02-24T09:10:00.006-06:00

Florida is full of water and reptiles. Here are two diptychs of Floridian Landscapes from a recent trip back to the place where I lived between 2001 and 2006. I hope you enjoy them.

What Central Florida Looks Like to Me
This is the St. John's River, which, like the Nile, flows north. Sitting upon the river is this classic "cracker" fishcamp, which serves some good fried gator and cold beer on hot days.

A Floridian Swamp
Want to know what rotting plant matter smells like? Look no further than Florida!

Both diptychs were taken using a Polaroid SX-70 camera and expired Polaroid Artistic TZ film.

Orson is a Big Shot!

2010-02-21T16:52:00.009-06:00

I recently got a super-rad Polaroid Big Shot camera, the kind of giant portrait camera that Andy Warhol made famous with his searingly revealing photos of famous faces, and I absolutely love it! I've only taken five photos so far, but I want to share one in particular that I think it pretty fun. :)

Orson, on a Snow Day, February 2010
Camera: Polaroid Big Shot
Film: Polaroid UV/ID (expired)

This is my little dog, Orson, wrapped up in loads of blankets on a day when we got a foot of snow! One of the things I love about this photo, aside from the fact that is it of a portrait of "my little boyfriend," is that it reminds of me this portrait of the Tudor King Henry VII:

As my friend Jake mentioned, it even has the correct claws/paws motif! LOL Yes, I did just compare my dog to a Tudor King!

I can't wait to share more photos from this fun camera! Until then, have a great week ahead!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T08:19:00.004-06:00

Even though I have no doubt that "Love is All You Need" is sarcastic, I'm sending you lots of love on this Valentine's Day!

Love Graffiti (2006)
Camera: Olympus e300 (digital SLR)
Graffiti by "About: Blank"
Location: Orlando, FL, USA

What I Want This Morning

2010-02-13T08:05:00.003-06:00

Ah, it's been such an eventful year already! I've been in NYC and Orlando, and have many photos to share--but between all that travel and my teaching, it's been difficult to find the time to show you all of my images!

This morning, however, as I sit in my house and watch a foot(!) of snow melt outside, I'm reminded of two yummy NYC Polaroids...

We Are Happy to Serve You (2010)
I've always loved these NYC to go coffee cups; I even have a ceramic one, which is perfect for hot chocolate & hot toddies! This one was filled with delicious hot apple cider from NYC's Greenmarket at Union Square! I would love some right now!

Morning at the Doughnut Plant (2010)
This is a fabulous hazelnut donut (and chai!) from one of my favorite NYC treat-factories: the Doughnut Plant! There's always time for artisanal yumminess!

Both photos are SX-70 Polaroids taken with expired 779 film (and ND pack filters). I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Broome Street

2010-02-02T22:39:00.004-06:00

I've been so busy since I got back from New York City that I haven't shared my favorite shots from the trip! I'm actually heading to Florida tomorrow for a super-fast trip, so here's one in the meantime--my favorite photo, I think, from New York this time. I took it on the Lower East Side, wandering around in the late morning on a very cold day, with my Grandmother's 1960's Polaroid 104 camera around my neck. What's great about walking around with a giant vintage Polaroid camera is that random strangers will stop to talk with you because they are enchanted by the device. It's such a wonderful conversation piece!

Broome Street (2010)
Camera: Polaroid 104
Film: Polaroid Sepia 100
Developed inside my coat on a below-freezing day!

I love the tones and light and shadows in this photo, as well as the timelessness of this street corner in one of Lower Manhattan's most interesting neighborhoods. There's a print of this one in my Etsy shop. Stay tuned for more from the Big Apple!

My First Fade to Black Photography

2010-01-17T19:24:00.008-06:00

Have you heard about the beautiful limited edition Sx-70 Polaroid film called Fade to Black? It's available from Polapremium.com, and it's extremely unique. The images for this lovely film--made from very expired Time-Zero chemicals--fade to black after several hours! They are ephemeral, magical, and yet, you can save them, if you stop the developing process using a variety of easy--albeit messy!--techniques.

I've had a few packs of this film for a couple of months, but I just got around to shooting my first image with the film yesterday--and I am already in love! I took this photo of my whippet, Laika, and scanned it within a minute of shooting.

Laika, 16 January 2010

I cannot wait to shoot more of this beautiful, mysterious film! Stay tuned!

Waiting to be arranged...

2010-01-15T09:40:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year!

I just got back from a trip to New York City, where I was doing some archival work for my next book. When I wasn't in the library, however, I was walking the chilly January streets of Manhattan, shooting all kinds of photos. One day, I was walking down Bleeker St in the West Village, when I spotted this amazingly beautiful little florist shop, Ovando. Just look at the beautiful natural light streaming down upon their lovely flowers...

Waiting to be arranged... (2010)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 779, expired, with ND pack filter

Signed print available in my Etsy shop! I'll be posting many more photos from my trip soon!

Birthday Wishes

2009-12-30T07:56:00.004-06:00

Me on my Second Birthday, 30 December 1972

Today is my 39th Birthday! I'd like to thank everyone who has supported my photography-I really appreciate you! I wish all of you an amazing 2010! I hope this upcoming decade will bring peace and prosperity to you!

On my birthday, I'd also like to highlight a few of the charities that I appreciate. If you're able, please consider giving to Heifer International, Kiva.org, or the International Association for Human Values.

Finally, anyone buying something from my Etsy shop today will receive a surprise gift from me! Happy New Year!

Christmas Cheer, Revisited

2009-12-20T09:26:00.003-06:00

Between finishing the semester, preparing for Christmas, keeping up with my Etsy shop, and general business, I haven't had a chance yet to put up my Christmas tree, shoot new Christmasy photos, or shoot any of the beautiful Polaroid Fade to Black film that I recently got from the awesome PolaPremium folks! So, until then, here's a Polaroid from last year...

Christmas Cheer, Revisited
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero, expired
Levels adjusted in Photoshop

More to come...in the meantime, happy holidays and relax if you can! ;)

Last Minute Holiday Two-For-One Prints Sale!

2009-12-13T07:46:00.006-06:00

Warning: Shameless Self Promotion ahead!

Hanukkah is in full swing and Christmas is around the corner! If you've been thinking about getting a print from my Etsy shop, now is the time! Now through December 15th (until Midnight Pacific Time), I'm having a special sale! If you buy any print, you'll get another of equal or lesser value FREE! Just mention the print you would like, and "241", in your "note to seller" at checkout. And if there is something out-of-stock, or from my Flickr, that you would like, please let me know and we can make it happen!

This sale is perfect if you'd like to gift a print and keep a print!

Protection (2008)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Happy Holidays!

Down the Street...

2009-12-12T08:45:00.004-06:00

I love the Polaroid peel-apart Chocolate film, I love rad signs, and I love taking photos in Fort Worth. Here are two shots I took the other day that combine all three of those things I love. I took them using my Holgaroid, which has no viewfinder. I know I have break-the-rules composition skills anyway; I love the way the Holgaroid accentuates that, and surprises me with its perspective.

Silhouette

Edmonson's Fried Chicken

My Contribution to Jim Goldstein's Buying Prints from Your Favorite Photographers 2009 Blog Project!

2009-12-06T10:13:00.058-06:00

One of the coolest things about the internet is the ability to reconnect with people we've known in the past, but with whom we may have fallen out of touch over the years. In the mid-1990s, I was living in Santa Barbara and was lucky enough to get to know a really cool guy named Jim Goldstein, who is now a prominent--and extremely talented!--nature photographer with a very high web presence in the photography world. Although we fell out of touch, we've reconnected over the internet, and I think it's funny that we've both carved niches for ourselves in the realm of photography (Jim's niche is a lot larger than mine!) Although he takes very different photos from those I take, something we share is a passion for buying prints from our favorite photographers, and this year on his blog, Jim has launched an initiative that I really like: the Buying Prints from Your Favorite Photographers project!

First, allow me to quote Jim regarding the goals of this project:

"It’s not a photo until its a print"

One of the unique aspects of digital photography is that we’re now able to enjoy photographic work with out viewing it in printed form. More so now than ever before supporting a photographer is shown almost exclusively online through photo forums, blogs, and other online communities. While viewing photographs online is easy and relatively inexpensive it is a hollow experience by comparison to holding an actual print from a photographer you respect and admire.

The goal of this project is to introduce fine art photography, photography books, print exchanges, and other photography related products to photography fans of all walks of life. It is also to spur photography fans to think in terms of financially supporting talented photographers so they can continue to do what they love.

Keeping this in mind, I decided to talk not only about my most recent prints purchase, but about some of my all-time favorite print purchases as well. This will allow me to highlight some photographers out there who I believe are not only great at taking photos, but who are also providing wonderful prints that are of high quality. This is important, because I myself sell prints and am a stickler for quality, and there's nothing worse than spending money on a photographer's prints, only to receive a poorly-executed print. This has happened to me a few times, and, frankly, it makes me unhappy with, and embarrassed for, the person who is willing to send out poor quality prints of his or her work. If you're going to sell prints, make sure it looks professional, or at least of the standard that you, yourself, would want if you spent money on it.

My most recent prints purchase was from a photographer whom I have patronized in the past, Sharon Montrose. She sells open edition prints in her Etsy shop, as well as large, limited edition prints direct from her own site. She is an animal portrait photographer, and I find her work amazing! (I just featured her in my Holiday Gift Guide, too!)

Photo by Sharon Montrose, available for purchase here

I bought four of her prints this past spring, and just received four more in the post yesterday. (Very quickly, too--in less than a week's time from when I placed my order!) The entire experience buying from Sharon Montrose was wonderful. She provides a beautiful print through her Etsy shop, making it possible for people who cannot afford her larger editions the chance to collect her work. Something else that I appreciate about the experience of buying from her is that she packages the prints in a fashion that keeps them from being damaged through the post. It sounds like a no-brainer, but I've had several experiences of buying prints from artists who don't reinforce the envelopes, don't mark "DO NOT BEND" on their packages, and otherwise don't protect their work. Sharon's packaging is sturdy enough to get the prints to you without damage, and I really appreciate that. Most of all, however, I've purchased eight of her prints because her portraits evoke powerful emotions in me. She really grants tremendous honor to these animals, and I cannot wait to finally get these prints framed and displayed in my home.

Another great experience I had buying a print was when I bought this photo from a very talented photographer known as Skippy Sanchez:

Photo by Skippy Sanchez, available for purchase here

This photo was taken in 1989 in Yoder, Kansas, when Skippy was on assignment for a Wichita newspaper. The girl is shown in her family's kitchen, churning butter, and was 11 when the image was created. This photo was shot using a Leica (if I recall correctly), and I think the light and composition are simply stunning. I bought a beautiful 11x14" print of this photo a couple of years ago, and it currently hangs above my sofa in my living room. The quality of this print, created on Harman Baryta FB gloss paper, is luminous, yet subtle. I simply adore it.

Hanging next to Skippy Sanchez's photo is a print by one of my favorite Polaroid photographers and one of my closest friends, Elinor Scott-Sutter, otherwise known as Equivoque:

Photo by Elinor Scott-Sutter, available for purchase here

Elinor and I have gifted each other prints over the past few years, and I'm even fortunate enough to own one of her originals! This print, Memento From the Underworld, is simply amazing! The version of it that I have hanging in my living room is a borderless image (that is, the Polaroid border has been removed), printed as a Kodak Endura metallic c-print, which really makes the subtle light of this photo--juxtaposed by the expired quality of the Time-Zero film emulsion--pop! I highly recommend Elinor's prints, as they are very authentic representations of her originals; and that is difficult to achieve with my Polaroids, I can tell you that from first-hand experience.

I am fortunate enough to own many beautiful prints by many other photographers who create lovely images, including Vitaly Garanzha (also known as Vetal-Vetal online), my friend who prints his own stunning prints using traditional methods in his home darkroom; Chris Weeks, whose portrait of David Lynch is one of my favorite celebrity photos ever; Alicia Bock, who is probably the most successful photographer on Etsy and whose TTV images of poppies and ranunculus grace my home; and Pamela Klaffke, whose dark Holga fantasies of her bestia parvulus (animal child) project enchant me! Two of them--Hanukkah Fox and Anas grace my living room near the aforementioned prints by Elinor and Skippy mentioned above.

In all, buying prints is one of the most wonderful things a lover of photography can do! Holding a photo in your hand, gazing upon it framed on your wall, and supporting an artist whose work you admire through a simple financial transaction is a wonderful thing! I highly recommend the experience, even if you can only afford to buy a small, inexpensive print or even a postcard.

Great places to connect with photographers for their prints include: their own websites, contacting them on Flickr via Flickrmail, and buying direct through "handmade" sites, such as Etsy, Dawanda, Big Cartel, Artfire, and many others. Other sites, such as Blurb, DeviantArt, and Lulu, provide drop-shipping options, and are especially good if you're looking for less-expensive, unsigned prints, books, calendars, and more. Whatever your budget, you can find something you can afford with a little research!

The deadline to write your own blog post about your experience buying prints from your own fave photographers in 11th December, so it's not too late to take part! Get out there and buy some prints!

And finally, if you want to buy my prints after reading this post, I'm offering a special promotion! If you buy something from my Etsy shop, mention "Jim's blog project" in your checkout note, and I'll send you another print FREE! (Mention the print you'd like upon checkout, too.) If there's a print from my Flickr that you'd like and it's not in my shop, drop me a note and we can make it happen. Thank you!

Two Environments, Five Photos

2009-12-05T07:41:00.010-06:00

Last month, I was in Santa Barbara for a few nights, then came home for four nights, and then sped off to Boston for five nights. My coast-to-coast shuffling placed me in three very different environments within a week, and the contrast between the salty-air of early winter speckled with the brilliant sunshine of Santa Barbara and the late-autumn/last-gasp-before-winter mood of Boston made for fun Polaroiding.

Birds of Paradise in Santa Babara

Late Autumn in Boston

Both images were taken using my Polaroid SX-70 camera and expired 600 film, using an ND Pack filter. Click on the photos to see them larger.

My Handmade Gift Guide!

2009-12-03T21:25:00.037-06:00

I've been looking at so many wonderful Etsy and otherwise Handmade gift guides, so I thought I would put together one myself! Before I present this year's list of handmade gift ideas, click here to see last year's suggestions, because these shops still rock!

Embroidered beauty by Mary's Granddaughter

I splurged and got myself this beautiful piece, and it amazes me. I'm developing a little embroidered art collection, and I believe that anyone who loves needlework would be thrilled to get something from Mary's Granddaughter. Her work is so perfectly executed and beautifully presented!

Animal Portraiture Photo Prints by Sharon Montrose

I have several of her prints, and they simply blow me away with their sleek presentation and striking emotional power. My dream is to have my dogs' photo portraits taken by Sharon Montrose!

Incredible Handmade Beaded Jewelry by Jennifer Morris

I have been dreaming of Jennifer Morris' beads for ages, and I definitely hope to own one of her amazing pieces one day. She's also a very talented photographer.

Unique Porcelain Creations by Alyssa Ettinger

I simply adore Alyssa Ettinger's pristine designs, which are nostalgic and modern at the same time. This lantern in particular is a favorite of mine, and on my own Christmas wishlist! ;)

A Luxurious Handmade Purse by Morelle

I own this beautiful handbag made by Morelle, and I'm in love with its soft leather and beautiful color! This is a very well-made bag, and it arrived so beautifully presented, too! I really love the extra long strap as well. As a plus-sized person, many handbag straps are too short for me, but this one is ideal!

A Super-Awesome Knitted Accessory by Yokoo

I really admire Yokoo and the way she's created a unique style and image for her special designs! I have two of her knitted shopping bags, and I am now lusting after this awesome hat, which reminds me of a super-hot up-do!

A Nostalgic Polaroid Print by Polaroidgirl

Polaroidgirl is a wonderful Photographer whose Polaroids evoke the beauty of the past in our memories and the present in our daily lives. I am lucky enough to own one of her prints and an original(!), and the quality is fantastic!!!

A Mysterious Photograph by ValeriaH Photography

I still haven't bought one of her prints, but I really need to, because I've been admiring her use of light for some time now. This is my favorite photo from her shop, but I really like everything she has to offer.

A Wonderful Interior Painting or Print by Janet Hill

I am fortunate enough to own two original paintings by Janet Hill, including this one, and I can tell you that you cannot fully appreciate them on the computer, because the textures and luminosity in real life are just amazing! Janet also offers amazingly inexpensive prints in her shop as well, so there's something for all budgets. I love her interiors the most; they are whimsical and classic.

Hot Embroidery Patterns and Kits from Sublime Stitching

I am so in love with the wonderful kits and patterns from Sublime Stitching! Although I haven't had the time to embroider as much as I've wanted to, I credit Jenny Hart with making it possible for me to make this crazy piece, my very first embroidery:

If you have someone on your shopping list who wants to learn embroidery, or who wants some killer patterns, visit Sublime Stitching for awesome gifts!

And if you don't want to buy something made by someone else, make something yourself to give! Happy Holidays!

All photos in this post come from the shops cited.

2010 Futurowoman Polaroid Calendar Now Available!

2009-11-29T12:39:00.003-06:00

I know it's coming a little late, but it's still right on time for 2010! Finally, my Futurowoman Polaroid calendar for the new year is available!

For this calendar, I decided to make diptychs, so it's a unique way to enjoy my Polaroids throughout the year! Here are a four examples from the calendar...

Click here to see all of the pages (click on each month below the main image!) and to order! Thank you!

A Motel Made of Chocolate

2009-11-28T14:46:00.003-06:00

I went to Fort Worth yesterday, and fell in love with this old sign:

Motel Landmark Lodge (2009)
Camera: Holga with Polaroid back (holgaroid)
Film: Polaroid Chocolate 80 *expired*

Signed print available in my Etsy shop. Mention "I read your blog" in the checkout note for a shipping refund!

The Puritan Polaroid Project (and a Black Friday sale!)

2009-11-26T21:49:00.007-06:00

I just got back from Boston, where I was attending the annual Middle East Studies Association meeting. While I was there, I took a break from academia for a few hours and went to one of my favorite spots in the city, the Old Granary Burial Ground. I am fascinated by the old Puritan and Post-Puritan gravestones, and decided that on this trip, I would take a series of detail photos from some of my favorite markers.

Since it's Thanksgiving, I put them all together today. I hope you like them.

The Puritan Polaroid Project (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid 600 and 779 (expired)
Click here to view it large!

These are some of my favorites from the session. I find this cemetery so haunting, and I feel like I've finally captured something of that feeling with these images.

Memento Mori

Buried

Sacred the Memory

Death With Wings

Crossbones

For more of my gravesite photos from past trips to this cemetery, click here.

Also, I'm happy to announce a special I'm having for readers of my blog in my Etsy shop. Now through Nov 30th, if you buy anything in my shop and use the code "I Read Your Blog" in the checkout note, I'll give you a shipping refund! Thank you!

Winners of the Giveaway! and a SALE!

2009-11-25T17:35:00.008-06:00

I'm so excited to announce the winners of the giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered!

Here's how I picked the winners. I used the random numbers generator on random.org to pick the numbers. I numbered each comment based on the order it appears on the blog, from top to bottom.

The Second Runner Up gets to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her choice, up to size 5x5" or 5x7"!
The winner is #34, otherwise known as Alicia!

The First Runner Up gets to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her choice, up to size 8x8" or 8x10"!
The winner is #24, otherwise known as E!

The Grand Prize winner gets to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her choice, up to size 12x12" or 11x14"!
And...the winner is...Karen Beth!

Winners, watch your inboxes for more info!

Thank you so much to all of you who entered, and to everyone who has supported my photography this past year. On the eve of Thankgiving, I am very thankful for all of you!!!

Also, I'm happy to announce a special I'm having for readers of my blog in my Etsy shop. Now through Nov 30th, if you buy anything in my shop and use the code "I Read Your Blog" in the checkout note, I'll give you a shipping refund! PASS IT ON!

Santa Barbara, as imagined by Harinezumi

2009-11-18T06:49:00.005-06:00

I just realized that I have never shared any images from my Superheadz Digital Harinezumi camera, which I got this summer! While I've already uploaded several of them to a dedicated Flickr set, I'll start here with some photos I am totally in love with, which I took this past Thursday in Santa Barbara.

Now that I no longer live in SB, I make it a point to go straight to my favorite beach each time I arrive, to get a dose of ocean air and remind myself of the vastness of the Pacific. This time was no exception. My flight landed, I got my rental car, I drove to my hotel and checked in, then went to the beach. The timing coincided with sunset, and so I decided to pull out my little Zumi and see what would happen when I shot into the sun and on the glimmering beach. I was not disappointed. The Zumi is not a camera for the megapixel obsessed, but it's the best darn toy-digicam I've EVER seen. I am in LOVE with it!

A Beach of Stars

The Running Man

Together

Atomic

All photos taken using the Digital Harinezumi camera
Location: Hendry's Beach, Santa Barbara, California, USA
Time: Sunset 12 November 2009

And don't forget to enter my prints giveaway! Click here for details!

Persimmons!

2009-11-17T11:13:00.005-06:00

Do you like persimmons? I was in Santa Barbara this past weekend, and I was suddenly reminded that it's persimmon season in my home state of California! Everywhere I looked, persimmons were ripening on trees and sitting in fruit bowls, waiting to be eaten!

These are Erika's Persimmons

And these are Magda's Persimmons on her beautiful Moroccan tablecloth

And I am dying to visit this place to take photographs! I'm not a huge fan of persimmons, although I love them in spice breads. However, I think they are gorgeous, and I'm happy I was able to take these photos to share with you!

Both photos were taken with a Polaroid Sx-70 camera and expired 600 film with an ND pack filter.
Prints in my Etsy shop!

Futurowoman Fotographie Giveaway!

2009-11-09T06:45:00.013-06:00

UPDATE! Entries have now closed! I will announce the winners tonight (11/25) on this blog, so stay tuned! Thank you to all who entered and good luck!

I'm having a giveaway!!!

I'm excited to announce a Futurowoman Fotographie giveaway, starting today and ending November 25th at Noon Central Standard Time! Between now and then, everyone may enter per the rules below.

What will the winners get?

GRAND PRIZE: The Grand Prize winner will get to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her/his choice, up to size 12x12" or 11x14"!
First Runner Up: The First Runner Up will get to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her/his choice, up to size 8x8" or 8x10"!
Second Runner Up: The Second Runner Up will get to choose any print from my Etsy shop in the size of her/his choice, up to size 5x5" or 5x7"!

How do you enter? Here are the ways:

1) You must become a fan of Futurowoman Fotographie on Facebook. Click here to become a fan!
2) Make a comment here on this blog confirming that you are a Facebook Fanpage fan, and include a link from my shop with your favorite print from my Etsy shop!

That's it--you're entered! Now, if you'd like additional entries, you may get them by:

1) Twittering about this contest and adding a comment here linking to your twitter.
2) Blogging about this contest and adding a comment here linking to your blog.

Thank you so much! I look forward to giving away some of my prints in this contest!

Dancing Queen (2005)
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g, Cross Processed
Location: Orlando, FL

Kodak Instant Camera Fun!

2009-11-08T07:13:00.008-06:00

I've been meaning to write about something VERY fun--shooting with a clunky Kodak instant camera from the early 1980s! A couple of years ago, my mother found a never-used Kodak Partytime II camera in the storeroom of her shop. Sometime circa 1983, someone had given it to her--but without any film (weird!) She never used it, so it was mint in the box when she discovered it. It even had a corroded battery sitting in styrofoam! So, she gave it to me, knowing I love instant photography, but there is no film in production that works with the camera. (For more on the history of Kodak instant photography, click here and here.) So, I was left with the notion that the camera would never be used.

However, my camera was rescued thanks to the amazing Kevin Pointer, who was so kind as to give me a pack of VERY expired Kodamatic film! (It's been out of production since the mid-1980s!) Finally, in September, I was able to shoot some of this film, and so far, I've gotten two images that I'm particularly excited about!

Laika, Labor Day 2009
I love the way a huge chunk of this image just died, but my whippet is still apparent!

The Greenhouse
This is the beautiful greenhouse at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens. I'm really excited about the light in this photo, however dark it may be.

One of the weirdest things about this film is watching it develop. It is very vivid at the moment of developing, but then it gets darker and darker. It's so interesting to me to see what happens with film as it expires! This stuff is remarkably stable for being expired about 25 years! If I get some more nice shots, I will share them with you!

The Last Day of 'Roid Week!

2009-11-06T20:42:00.009-06:00

It's the last day of 'Roid Week at Flickr, and to celebrate, I uploaded these final instant images to the pool!

Cobwebbed Cross (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired, with ND Pack filter)
Location: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
I came across a beautiful, derelict Orthodox Church in Fort Worth, yesterday. Built in 1917, the parish has relocated, but the building remains, in stunningly beautiful and decaying glory.

Little Dude Gro. 2 (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired, with ND Pack filter)
Location: Just down the street from the church above, in Fort Worth, Texas

A Friendly Muffler Man (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Chocolate 80 (expired)
Location: At the Rocket in Fort Worth!

Autumn and its Light (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired, with ND Pack filter)
Location: The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
I just love the golden light shining the fall palette on us right now. It won't last much longer!

'Roid Week at Flickr has been amazing! I made a little gallery of some of my favorite submissions by other photographers, and you can check it out here. Vive instant photography!

'Roid Week Day 4!

2009-11-05T20:12:00.007-06:00

I've been having so much fun this 'Roid Week, checking out so many people's amazing Polaroids in the Flickr pool, and sharing some of my own. This morning, I uploaded this image to the pool:

Cows in an Ozarks Glen (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black and White (expired)
Location: Scenic 7 Byway, Ozarks, Arkansas
I took that photo a couple of weeks ago while I was in the Ozarks, and I love the way the white cows look so little in this vast field.

After I uploaded this shot, I went out shooting in Fort Worth, and I had a great day of Polaroid-ing! Here are my two other contributions to Day 4:

Through the Mist (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 (expired) with an ND pack filter
Location: The Fort Worth Botanical Gardens
I cannot rave enough about the beautiful Fort Worth Botanical Gardens! Last year, I went there to shoot some photos in the Japanese Garden. Today, I enjoyed the lovely greenhouse. I can't wait to return in the spring when they unleash thousands of butterflies!

Chocolate Rocket (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Chocolate 80
I can never leave Fort Worth without taking photos of great signs! This inspection station is located in an old midcentury nightclub, complete with its decrepit neon sign and vintage pickup truck! I love Fort Worth's character; it's such an authentic city.

More tomorrow, the final day of 'Roid Week 2009 Part II!
Info on my Etsy sale here!

'Roid Week, Day Three!

2009-11-04T12:49:00.003-06:00

'Roid Week continues on Flickr, and today is the third day! I decided to mix it up a little today in format, and posted a recent photo from my trip to Arkansas in late October and two photos from this past July. I hope you like them!

Sun 'N Sand Motel (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Type 89 (expired)
Location: Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Seriously, can ANYONE resist vintage Route 66 motel signs against a brilliant New Mexican sky? I know I can't!

Peering into the Expanse (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Type 89 (expired)
Location: It's obvious! The Grand Canyon is so amazing, I could not stop photographing it!

Laika Headshot (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black & White (expired)
Location: Russellville, Arkansas
Laika loves to lounge, and she looks so good doing it!

Prints are available in my Etsy shop! And don't forget my 'Roid Week sale! Buy any Polaroid print from my shop, mention "Roid Week" at checkout, and I'll send you a free Polaroid print!

Tune in tomorrow for more pola-love!

'Roid Week, Day Two!

2009-11-03T16:26:00.003-06:00

It's still 'Roid Week, Day 2 at Flickr! I'd like to share my three submissions for today with you!

Burger Time in Deming (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
I love this crazy image of that crazy New Mexican town of Deming! The sky is always a big antidote to the insanity on the streets below...

Prayer Request Drop Box (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
I shot this last weekend in Paris, Arkansas...I could not pass this one up!

Waffle House (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 B&W (expired 2003)
Oh, Waffle House, how I adore your vision on the mighty American interstates! This old-school establishment may be found in Russellville, Arkansas.

Prints are available in my Etsy shop! And don't forget my sale this week! Click here for more info!

The Grand Canyon Time-Zero Project

2009-11-02T14:01:00.004-06:00

'Roid Week at Flickr has officially begun! Aside from the two photos of my dogs that I posted here yesterday, I posted the photo below as a submission for day one. I'm really excited about the photo-collage below, for it depicts photographic memories of a beautiful day this past July when I was lucky enough to visit the breaktaking Grand Canyon. I was especially lucky to have some lovely expired Time-Zero film with me--my favorite film I've ever shot. Although I've posted a few images from this day in earlier posts, this is the first time I've presented all twelve Time-Zero photos that I shot together. I hope you will enjoy them!

The Grand Canyon Time-Zero Project (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (Expired)
Click here to see each image larger

And don't forget my 'Roid Week sale! Now through Friday, 6 November, I'll be celebrating 'Roid Week with a Sale in my Etsy shop! Buy any Polaroid print in my shop, get another of equal or lesser value free! Just mention "Roid Week" at checkout in the comments to the seller, and I'll send you a free print!

'Roid Week 2009 & A Sale!

2009-11-01T20:34:00.008-06:00

It's time! This week--2-6 November 2009--is 'Roid Week 2009! It's a biannual Flickr event that celebrates all things instant photography! Everyone may upload up to three new-to-Flickr polaroids per day. It's so fun to see all of the new instant classics uploaded to the pool!

Here's a sneak peak of what I'll be uploading on the first day; I shot these photos of my doggies last weekend as they luxuriated in a hotel, using my Polaroid SX-70 and some sweet 779 film.

Laika in October 2009

Orson Takes a Nap

And now to the sale! Now through Friday, 6 November, I'll be celebrating 'Roid Week with a Sale in my Etsy shop! Buy any Polaroid print in my shop, get another of equal or lesser value free! Just mention "Roid Week" at checkout in the comments to the seller, and I'll send you a free print!

And, if you ever want a print from my portfolio that isn't in my shop, just ask and I'll make it available!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T09:41:00.002-05:00

Once again, work and a road trip (this time to Arkansas for fall foliage enjoyment!) has put me behind on my blogging. Gee, I haven't even shared all of my summer road trip photos yet! Well, next week is Flickr's biannual Roid Week, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, Happy Halloween!

What the Kids Want (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 779 *expired*

Skeletor (2008)
Camera: Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner Plastic 110 Toy Camera
Film: Solaris 110 film (200 speed)

American Gothic (2006)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Type 88

Signs

2009-10-16T07:45:00.008-05:00

Everyone who follows my photography knows that I have a penchant for signs. Sparked by my post yesterday about Tucumcari's retro wonders, I thought I'd post a few more sign photos from my summer roadtrip today! All of these photos were taken using my Polaroid SX-70 and the beautiful Polaroid Artistic TZ film.

Lounge (2009)
Location: Tucumcari, New Mexico

L&J (2009)
Location: El Paso, Texas
By the way, you should really eat at L&J if you go to El Paso! It's one of my favorite places in a city of great Mexican food. I particularly love their guacamole tacos and their unique salsas. It's directly across the street from Concordia Cemetery, so it's easy to find as well!

Tepee Curios (2009)
Location: Tucumcari, New Mexico

The Plainsman (2009)
Location: Holbrook, Arizona

More to come! It's incredible how many cool retro signs exist in the Southwest!
Signed prints in my Etsy shop!

Some snippets from the road

2009-10-15T09:38:00.004-05:00

I took a road trip this past summer between Texas and California, and I'm still wading through countless hundreds of photos, analog and digital. I still have so many images to share, and I don't know if I'll ever catch up!

Here are a few that I have scanned, from the insanely beautiful--in a decrepit retro way--town of Tucumcari, New Mexico. I spent the night there in a fabulously restored Route 66 Motel built in 1959, called Motel Safari:

Motel Safari (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ

I highly recommend this comfortable blast from the past if you need a clean and cool spot to sleep in Tucumcari. It's been totally restored, with the original retro furniture, but with brand-new Sealy Posturpedic mattress, flat screen TVs, in-room coffee, and free wifi!

Not all of Tucucmcari is in such great shape, however. The town is full of decaying places that seem to be barely holding on, as well as full-on abandoned shells.

Home of Quality Food Drive-Inn (2009)
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

The Buckaroo Motel (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid 89 *expired*

I have many more photos of Tucucmcari to share--hopefully soon! To close this post, here is a photo I am particularly excited about, in part because it's a handheld night shot that came out very clear, and in part because it was selected as a winner in this contest! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it to Las Vegas to redeem my prize, but I am still honored!

The Blue Swallow Motel (2009)
Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

Signed prints are in my Etsy shop!

Simple.

2009-10-13T11:14:00.004-05:00

Simple (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 black & white *expired 2003*

Signed print in my Etsy shop.

Concordia Cemetery

2009-10-05T11:56:00.015-05:00

Although I haven't explored one lately, cemeteries are some of my favorite photographic subjects. I've visited several beautiful cemeteries over the years, but there is one in particular that really stands out to me. It is Concordia Cemetery in El Paso, Texas. This graveyard is rich in historical significance; however, what really appeals to me about Concordia is the amazingly vernacular sensibility of the place. Many--perhaps most--of the graves are handmade, usually by the families of the deceased, rather than by memorial professions. It is a cemetery of the poor as well as some of the most famous people in El Paso's storied past, and this really shows in the grave markers. It is a cemetery dropped into a brutal landscape--a punishing desert rich with snakes, scorpions, prairie dogs, birds of prey, squirrels, lizards, fire ants, and other creatures. It also has a history of crime; my husband (an El Pasoan) has always warned me about Concordia's violence, not only in the night, but sometimes in the day as well. Most of all, though, if you're shooting in Concordia, you need to beware of the sun. Even on a day that doesn't seem too hot outside the walls of the cemetery, inside Concordia you can succumb to heat exhaustion--or worse--very quickly.

I first shot a lot of photos in the cemetery back in 2005 when I had just got my first SLR, a digital Olympus e-300 (which I still have; it's a great starter camera). You can see those photos here and here. This is my favorite grave at the cemetery, and my favorite photo from that summer of taking photos in Concordia:

Guadalupe of Concordia (2005)

However, this past August I was able to go back to Concordia to take some photos with some Polaroid cameras. I am excited about these images, because they seem to evoke the haunting pain and beauty of this brutal place.

The Concordia Polaroids (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
view larger here

Concordia, Beautiful (2009)
Camera: Polaroid 104
Film: Polaroid UV/ID (expired)

The Chocolate Graveyard (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid Choco80

Concordia is a place of desecration and crime, but also of love and honor. It's my favorite cemetery I've ever visited; I can't imagine a place that so perfectly mingles loss and sadness with beauty and hope. If you are ever in El Paso, you should visit Concordia Cemetery.

Circus Liquor

2009-10-04T08:20:00.005-05:00

Anyone who has a casual acquaintance with my photography knows that I love to take pictures of signs, particularly of the retro neon variety. One of my favorite signs I've ever seen is the classic Circus Liquor Sign in North Hollywood. This was the sign under which Alicia Silverstone's "Cher" character was mugged in the film Clueless, and it's one of the best examples of mid-century neon I've ever seen. I was lucky enough to shoot some photos of it in August, and these two are my favorites.

Probably my last-ever Time-Zero photograph:

Circus Liquor (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (expired)

North Hollywood's Circus Liquor (2009)
Camera: Polaroid 104
Film: Polaroid UV/ID (expired)

Signed prints available in my Etsy shop!

A New Mexican Sky

2009-09-27T08:06:00.000-05:00

There is nothing like the sky in New Mexico! It's always so big and so breathtaking!

A New Mexican Sky (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ

Horses Need Motels, too!

2009-09-19T11:26:00.001-05:00

Happy Tracks Horse Motel (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Spectra
Film: Polaroid Spectra (expired)
Location: Near Amarillo, Texas, USA

The Grand Canyon, Part I

2009-09-10T21:30:00.011-05:00

Have you ever been to the Grand Canyon? I went for the first time this summer, and its vastness and beauty was truly humbling! Until my analogue photos are all scanned, here are a few digital photos for you...

Grand Canyon at Desert View

The Grand Canyon at Pima Point

The Grand Canyon (in shades of...)

Camera: Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX150

Many more to come! You can see a few of the many Polaroids I shot in my Flickr...

Fun at the Fair!

2009-09-08T11:21:00.003-05:00

Recently, the local fair was in town, so I just HAD to go out and get some photos! I've been enjoying shooting Polaroid 600 film in my SX-70 camera, too. Although the film is too fast for the camera and an ND Filter is recommended, I've been enjoying shooting without one, just to see what comes of the colors. I really like the faded-out feeling!

SPIN!

Butterfly Fries
I wish I had a dress in these colors!

The Wave Swinger

Starship 2000

Signed prints are in my Etsy! Thanks for looking!

Peak-A-Boo!

2009-09-05T13:17:00.005-05:00

On my drive back home during my recent summertime roadtrip, I stopped at a roadside rest stop in southern Arizona, to take a photo of the beautiful Saguaro cacti that were sprouting up everywhere. Because I know that the desert has all kinds of poisonous snakes and insects, I looked carefully and thought I didn't see any. However, I apparently didn't look carefully enough, because this creature suddenly stood up, hissed, and rattled at me when I got close to him, on my approach toward a cactus!

Mojave Rattlesnake (detail) (2009)
Location: Sacaton, Arizona
Camera: Olympus e-300 Digital SLR

EEEEK!!! I jumped and shrieked, then went back to my car to get the longest-lens camera I had on me. It was only 150mm, but it did the trick and I got the above photo! He was already curled back up, but that was fine by me! I have since learned that this was a Mojave Rattlesnake, and that they are the most venomous rattler in North America!

Needless to say, I did NOT get my Saguaro Polaroid photo at that stop! I kept driving, and eventually, by the time I got to the lovely Picacho Peak turnoff, I felt secure enough to try again. This is my resulting diptych, taken safely from the paved road!

Picacho Peak (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ
click here to see it larger

Moral of this story? Don't assume there are no poisonous creatures near you in the desert, just because you cannot see them! Fortunately, rattlesnakes give you a loud warning!

Hollywood

2009-09-04T10:28:00.005-05:00

My heart goes out to everyone in my home state of California dealing with horrible fires, including the Station Fire, which is, apparently, the biggest wildfire in Los Angeles in over 100 years.

I was in LA a few weeks ago, and I shot the remains of my last pack of Time-Zero film. I have had several "last packs"--packs I thought were my last, only to be blessed by kind souls who keep giving me more! However, I'm pretty sure this really was my last pack, RIP. In any case, this is my second-to-last Time-Zero shot. I've named it after the place where I shot it. I wish it didn't remind me of the current fires; I think of it more as an elegy to lost hopes, coupled with a smog-drenched sunset. Hollywood is, after all, a pretty nasty place, but it continues to draw us, moths to flame...

Hollywood (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Time-Zero *expired*

UPDATE: Sold my Rolleiflex T1

2009-09-03T08:43:00.005-05:00

Thanks so much to everyone who inquired about my Rolleiflex T1. It is now with a new owner, who I hope will love it!

My Rolleiflex T1 (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black & White (expired)

A Star!

2009-08-31T09:27:00.009-05:00

Sometimes you meet a star, and you don't even know it! In February 2008, I traveled to the beautiful city of Lisbon (Lisboa) in Portugal, and I took this photo of a dog in his window:

Doggie in the Window II (2008)
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome/Cross Processed

Well, imagine my delight when I discovered this fun photo of the same dog, in the same window, while glancing through Flickr's Explore this morning!

.
Originally uploaded by whateveryou...
Click the photo to visit the page and see the photo larger!

I love him!!! I hope he's still there if I am ever lucky enough to visit that beautiful city again!

endless summer...?

2009-08-30T12:36:00.004-05:00

Oh Summer, you're fun and all, but here in Tejas, you're just too darn hot! Please, please, consider leaving us for the next 9 months or so...it's not that we don't ever want to see you again, but it's just that you're SO fun, we can't bear you all the time!

Shade (2007)
Location: Dead Sea, Jordan
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero

Old Family Polaroids, Part I

2009-08-27T11:57:00.006-05:00

While I was on my three-week road trip that I mentioned in my previous post, I spent some time looking through old family photos, some of which I had never seen. One of the exciting discoveries was a stash of old roll Polaroid photos that my granddad had taken in the 1950s! I had never seen them, and not only are they beautiful family treasures, but I loved seeing old roll Polaroids for the first time in person!

This is the beginning of a series I'll present, while I'm busy scanning a myriad of images from my trip.

These two are photos of my beloved maternal grandmother, Hazel, taken by Herbert Carpenter in 1956--I love the dramatic lighting and offset poses!

More to come!

Back from the Road...

2009-08-23T09:22:00.002-05:00

Hello! I'm sorry for my extended silence here on my little blog, but I have a good excuse! I went on a three-week road trip! I traveled from Texas to California and back, taking different routes each way, visiting family and friends, taking loads of photos, and enjoying some summer fun before the new academic year begins! I've got scads of Polaroids to scan, many digital photos to edit, and lots of film pictures to develop, so I imagine I'll be posting images here from the trip for some time!

To begin, I'd like to share a photo that I'm very proud of, which I took in Holbrook, Arizona along the old Route 66, that famed road of the American Imagination. This is one of only three wigwam-style motels left operating in the USA, and arguably the most fabulous! I definitely want to go back and stay there one day!

The Wigwam Motel (2009)
Camera: Holgaroid
Film: Polaroid 89 (expired)

Signed prints are in my Etsy shop! Stay tuned for more photos from the American Southwest and California!

Sometimes, it's a PhoneCam

2009-07-25T09:18:00.004-05:00

I always try to keep at least one camera on me at all times, because invariably, if I don't have one, I'll find a photo opportunity! Still, there have been a few times in the recent past when I've stumbled upon something wonderful and only had my phone camera! Fortunately, the camera in my G1 Android phone is pretty nice for moments like this. Here are three of my favorite PhoneCam images.

This one begged me--a lover of all cool signs!--to take its photo! I was impressed with the sharp quality and vibrant neon colors of this little Googlephone Photo.

Sigel's Liquor and Beer (2009)
Location: Addison, Texas

This one comes from a random encounter on campus. I walked up to the priest and said, "May I please take your photo?" He said, "Why you would want to, I don't know, but ok!" Why would I want to!?!?!? Are you serious?

Talk to a Catholic Priest (2009)
Location: University of North Texas

This is my terrier, Orson. He is hard to photograph, so even a decent cell phone picture makes me very happy! I LOVE HIM!

My Little Boyfriend (2009)
Location: On the furniture!

Even if you only have your cell phone at hand, get out there and shoot the world around you!

An Elusive Jackalope

2009-07-10T21:17:00.005-05:00

Today I went to Fort Worth, and what did I find? A rare creature...the iconic Jackalope! It was an extremely hot day, but that didn't seem to deter this mighty animal (not quite a rabbit and not quite an antelope) from surveying his terrain! I just had to share these images right away...it's not every day you can get a Jackalope to pose for a photo!

The Elusive Jackalope

Turn Left Here

Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Artistic TZ

signed prints in my Etsy!

Laika Loves to Sunbathe!

2009-07-05T20:35:00.003-05:00

My whippet, Laika, loves to sunbathe! She loves the heat so much that I have to monitor her when it's hot, to be sure she doesn't get burned! Here she is earlier this weekend, enjoying the 100+F heat of Texas in the summer!

Laika, 3 July 2009
Camera: Diana+ Edelweiss with a Fujifilm Instax Mini Back
Film: Fujifilm Instax Mini

And here's a secret special for you! From now until Friday, 10 July 2009, buy anything from my shop, mention "blog!" at checkout, and I'll refund your shipping!

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-04T15:04:00.002-05:00

Happy 4th of July to my compatriots, and happy Weekend to all of you around the world!

Snow Cone This Way (2009)
Camera: Diana+ Edelweiss with a Fujifilm Instax Mini Back
Film: Fujifilm Instax Mini
Location: Denton, Texas, USA

Gallery Show & Companion Book!

2009-06-24T18:27:00.003-05:00

I'm excited to announce my latest gallery show, a solo exhibition of forty of my favorite Polaroids!

Instant Gratification: A Celebration of Polaroid
by Nancy L. Stockdale
Union Gallery
3rd Floor, UNT Union
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
(click for directions)

The show opens on Monday, 29 June, and will run until 23rd July 2009!

To celebration my first solo show(!), I've created a companion book, available at Blurb!

You can buy the book here, and check out all the photos in the book and the gallery here!

I hope everyone who makes it to the show enjoys it, and I'd like to thank all of you reading this for your encouragement--I appreciate you!

Giveaway and Interview!

2009-06-22T07:00:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone! I'm excited to direct you to the beautiful Our City Lights blog for an interview with me! You should also check it out because there will be a GIVEAWAY from my Etsy shop!

One of the images that Diana (the wonderful woman behind Our City Lights) featured in the interview is today's subject:

Pouting (2006)
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g

I shot this photo while strolling through the fun flea market in de Pijp, Amsterdam. That boy was throwing something of a tantrum, while the girls stuck in the cart with him looked on with disgust. This was a classic Lomo Street shot, as I really did "shoot from the hip", as the Lomography people like to say!

Have a nice day, and don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

For Neda

2009-06-21T10:46:00.003-05:00

I took this photo yesterday, moments before I saw the video of the death of a beautiful young woman in the streets of Tehran, Neda (ندا ). Although I have yet to have the good fortune to visit Iran, professional and personal experiences in my life have made that country's people and fate important to me. As I watched this woman die in the video, and then saw, in the subsequent hours, her memory become a symbol for the Green Revolution sweeping through sectors of Iran, I thought of this image. With her tragic and untimely death, Neda has become larger than life, a symbol of her nation's historic struggle for genuine independence and representation. So many Iranians have been martyred for the cause of freedom over the past century. I continually hope that there are no more Nedas. May the Iranian nation, like all nations around the world, find their own equilibrium, one that is truly just for their society.

For Neda (20 June 2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Sx-70 Blend

bicycles!

2009-06-18T09:10:00.008-05:00

As a child, I loved to ride my bike--a swank blue 1970s Schwinn with a banana seat and straw basket--all over my neighborhood. I had a little car-battery-shaped transistor radio that I kept in my basket, listening to AM radio and turning it with each turn to maintain reception! Although I got a ten-speed as a teen in the 80s, I never fully embraced bike riding as an adult. Even as an undergrad at Chico State, nestled in a notoriously pro-bike town, I preferred to walk over ride.

However, I've always appreciated the aesthetics of the bicycle, and now that I'm in my late 30s, I've decided to take the plunge again and get back onto a bike! After a lot of research, I recently ordered a custom-made, handmade, American-made Industrial Newsgirl bike from Worksman, the longest-operating bike maker still producing their products in the USA. I haven't gotten my bike yet, but once I do, I'll update you on my return to cycling!

In the meantime, I thought I'd post a few of my favorite bike-themed photos that I took in Amsterdam, the beautiful city of bike-a-holism, back in 2006! Also, check out this fascinating look at Amsterdam's bike culture from a tourist's perspective!

A Bike in the Morning
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero

Fangs
Camera: Praktica FX
Film: Classic Pan 400

Riding By
Camera: Olympus e-300 Digital SLR

Pleasure Everlast
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g
Cross Processed

Get on your bikes and ride!

Here Comes the Sun!

2009-06-15T08:21:00.004-05:00

There's a new Poppytalk Handmade Market opening today, "Here Comes the Sun!" It's all about summer, and you can visit my table here!

Do you have fun plans for this summer? (or this winter, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere?) I'm catching up on a lot of work, but also planning a road trip through the Southwest and home to California next month! In the meantime, here's one of my homages to summer, shot on my roadtrip to Minnesota that I took last summer. Check the spelling--do you really want to eat "TenderMAID" hamburgers?

Tendermaid Hamburgers (2008)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid SX-70 Blend
Location: Austin, Minnesota, USA

Signed prints are in my Etsy shop! Happy Summer!

Wildflower Bouquet

2009-06-12T07:59:00.003-05:00

I came home from work the other day, and my husband had made this sweet bouquet from wildflowers, volunteer pansies, and blossoms from the crepe myrtle in our yard. I pulled out my Polaroid SX-70 (loaded with SX-70 Blend film) and took these photos!

A Wildflower Bouquet

Wildflower Bouquet in the Sun

I hope you enjoy these simple little photos! Small, lovely things like this make life worth living!

A Thistle in a Bottle

2009-06-10T17:26:00.002-05:00

These sweet thistles grow wild all around my neighborhood. I love their elegance and simple charm!

A Thistle in a Bottle (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid SX-70 Blend

Signed prints are available in my Etsy shop!

sometimes...

2009-06-08T20:47:00.003-05:00

...it has to be roses.

Four Roses (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid SX-70 Blend

signed print in my Etsy shop!

heirloom

2009-06-02T21:09:00.004-05:00

This summer, I'm growing several vegetables in a little container garden I created! Along with chiles, herbs, and lettuce that I'm growing in aerogardens indoors, I'm growing three varieties of tomatoes (heirloom Beefsteak, Roma, and Heatwave), two varieties of bell peppers (sweet yellow and big boy green), and tomatillos outdoors. I'm also growing red hot cherry peppers and poblano chiles outside, as well as rosemary. It's so exciting to watch them all set fruit, and I can't wait to harvest what I hope will be a bounty!

While I wait, I've been inspired by heirloom produce from a local organic market. Recently, I got this beautiful heirloom tomato, and I just had to take a couple of photographs of it before enjoying its juicy sweetness! It was absolutely delicious with purple and green basil from my aerogarden and some ripe avocado! Simples pleasures, such as pure organic food, lend so much richness to our lives!

An Heirloom Tomato (2009)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (expired)

Heirloom (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid 600 Black and White (expired)

More Sign Love and Last Day of Sale!

2009-05-25T08:24:00.006-05:00

Today's I'd like to continue the tribute to signs that I started in my previous post. Old signs are so fun to document, and I hope you'll enjoy today's selection from my collection of retro sign snaps!

Cocktail Hour (2005)
Camera: Olympus e-300 Digital SLR
Location: El Paso, TX

The Parliament House (2006)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
Location: Orlando, FL

Drugs (2008)
Camera: Velveeta Shells and Cheese Dinner Plastic 110 Toy Camera
Film: Solaris 110 film (200 speed)
Location: Denton, TX

Pump 'N' Munch (2008)
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g
Cross Processed
Location: Pine City, MN

Also, today (May 25th) is the last day of my Memorial Day Weekend Sale! I will ship all orders from my Etsy shop FREE WORLDWIDE! To get this special deal, just mention "MEMORIAL DAY" in the "Note to Seller" section of the Etsy checkout process! I will then refund you your shipping costs through PayPal!

Thank you and have a lovely day!

Retro Sign Love and Memorial Day Weekend Sale!

2009-05-22T08:47:00.009-05:00

If you've looked carefully at my body of work, you know that I love taking photos of cool vintage and retro signs! As a professional historian, I appreciate signs as cultural productions and documentation of human desire, and I want to collect images of as many as possible, before they disappear. As a photographer, I love the aesthetics of sign design. Here are a few of my favorite sign photographs that I've taken over the past few years. I hope you'll enjoy them as much as I do!

Apollo Liquors en Lomo (2008)
Location: Austin, Minnesota
Camera: Lomo LC-A
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g
Cross Processed

The Sands (2006)
Location: Orlando, Florida
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Ilford Delta 3200

Diesel Fried Chicken (2006)
Location: Van Horn, Texas
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
Note: This sign, sadly, no longer exists! I'm so glad I took this photo!

Thelma's Kitchen (2005)
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Film: Kodak Ektachrome e100g
Cross Processed

More signs to come!

Also, beginning today and running through May 25th, I will ship all orders from my Etsy shop FREE WORLDWIDE! To get this special deal, just mention "MEMORIAL DAY" in the "Note to Seller" section of the Etsy checkout process! I will then refund you your shipping costs through PayPal!

Please feel free to pass this deal on to your friends, and thank you! Also, if there is a print you'd like from my portfolio but you don't see it in my shop, just let me know and I can list it for you!

strawberry picking!

2009-05-21T17:15:00.011-05:00

Last year, I started going to pick-your-own farms and gathering fruit. I missed the strawberries in 2008, but a late season here in North Texas this year allowed me to get out into the fresh air on Tuesday and pick over 23 lbs of beautiful organic strawberries! I highly recommend Fall Creek farms in Granbury, Texas; it's easy to get there from the DFW area, it's reasonably priced ($2.50/lb for organic strawberries!), and the people are friendly!

Of course, I had to take a camera with me!

Strawberry Picking (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid SX-70 Blend

After getting home, I made three batches of jam--11 pint jars and 11 1/2 pint jars of the stuff! That's a lot of jam! I used organic sugar to go along with the organic fruit, and I hope to take some lovely photos of the beautiful red jars before giving some away as gifts! Now, as our spring transitions into summer, I look forward to blackberry, blueberry, and peach picking!

Hens and Chickens

2009-05-17T10:41:00.002-05:00

My grandparents always had Hens and Chickens in the rock garden section of their yard. I love the way they spill out of their containers and spread! I recently bought these and hope they thrive.

Hens and Chickens (2009)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero *expired*

signed prints at my Etsy shop!