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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!
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!
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!
To the USA readers of this blog--happy 4th of July! To everyone else, happy day! :)
To celebrate the 4th of July, I'm having a sale in my Etsy shop! Mention "4th of July" in your checkout-note with any purchase and get a free surprise 4x6" print!
Here's a patriotic peace photo that I shot while getting coffee from vendor on the streets of Greenwich Village in New York City last summer; I hope you'll enjoy it!
Priorities (2007)
Camera: Polaroid Sx-70
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
I'm a real sucker for the Flatiron building. I cannot really tell you exactly what it is about the buiilding that I like. I don't particularly think the neighborhood it's in is very interesting, but the way it dominates the intersection and tricks the eye never ceases to amaze me. When I was in New York last summer, I was lucky enough to take a few photos of this building that I am proud of; let me tell you the story behind these images.
The first one, Gotham, was taken at about 8 o'clock in the morning. I thought I would get to the building in time to avoid strange sunshine and shade patches. However, you can see at the top that the Sun was already beginning to shine unevenly on the building. However, the expired quality of this amazing pack of Time-Zero film added some surreal flames to the lower portion of this picture, balancing the sunlight on the top quite nicely. This photo has turned out to be one of my personal favorites.
Gotham (2007)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70, Alpha 1, Model 2
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (very expired)
Polaroid border removed in the scanning process
This photo was taken a few days before Gotham, and it took me about 20 minutes to get this properly lined up without having any other buildings in the frame! I shot another one prior to this, but the building turned out too crooked for my taste, so I shot another and got this special image. I know it sounds silly, but I was literally out of breath after taking this shot! It was a real bear to compose, but worth it. I was particularly happy with the colors; they are classically faded as good Time-Zero colors taken in bright light should be, but not washed out.
The Flatiron Building (2007)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70, Alpha 1, Model 2
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero
As a change of pace, this Holga photo was taken on a whim; I love to play with multiple exposures, so I shot madly, wondering how it would come out. I think it's a fairly fun photograph!
Vertigo (200&)
Camera: Holga CFN
Film: Classic Pan 400
I cannot wait until I'm in NYC again; I have plans to go back to the Flatiron and try some different cameras and processes. Stay tuned!
One of the ideas I've had for this site is to talk a bit about the story behind some of my photographs. I'd like to start with the story behind this photograph:
I'm ready for my closeup... (2007)
Camera: Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1, Model 2
Film: Polaroid Time-Zero (very expired)
Location: New York City, USA
I shot this photo in Soho, Manhattan, in the dog days of summer 2007. I was walking around the Lower East Side, then Nolita, and then Soho, lugging several cameras in my bag and sweating on a super-hot-and-humid NYC afternoon, stopping whenever I had a chance to enjoy a cold drink or an ice cream from Mr. Softie to cool off, and of course, shooting photos. Suddenly I noticed a small crowd gathering on a corner. I walked over to said crowd to discover a fashion shoot taking place. The model was wearing an ultra-retro dress while the photographer squatted to shoot her photo from low angles and his assistant desperately reflected light onto her face, shaded as it was among the buildings. This was the moment I had been waiting for. However, the only camera in my hands was my SX-70, and it was loaded with precious Time-Zero film, a now-discontiued commodity. Every shot is precious to me. Dare I potentially "waste" it on a street photo that may turn out terrible? Dare I waste time digging out another camera from my bag? The shot could be lost by the time I got a "safer" camera out and ready. I went for it, shot the Polaroid, and I was so happy that I did! The photo came out exactly as I had dreamed, only better. I knew it was pretty special when street photographer extraordinaire Chris Weeks singled it out one day on his blog as a fine example of street photography. I was humbled, to say the least! This photo is exactly why we should never leave our houses without a camera!
