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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!
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!
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!
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!
'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!
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!
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
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!
