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'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 :)
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!
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!
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 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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
