Anybody that's listened to the Film Photography Podcast for more than five minutes knows that founder and host, Michael Raso, has "a thing" for Polaroid instant film. What some folks might not know, however, is that as a co-host, being around Mike one too many podcasts has given me "the bug" as well. So much, however, that I didn't stop at 600 series cameras and pack film, I needed bigger! How big? Big enough to shoot Polaroid on my absolute favorite camera, the Eastman Commercial 8x10!
An audio tour of the Impossible Project Factory in Enschede, NL produced by graphic artist, blogger and FPP contributor Viviane Li.
For those of reading who do not know, Polaroid stopped making instant film in 2008, ending their 50+ year reign as the one and only instant photography kings.
Fujifilm in Japan picked up the ball by producing “some” instant film for older Polaroid “pack cameras,” but a huge void was left as no company was producing film for the millions of Polaroid SX-70 and 600 cameras in the world.
Enter The Impossible Project, a group of ambitious entrepreneurs who purchased the Polaroid factory in Enschede, Netherlands and hired some former Polaroid engineers. Their promise - to produce new integral film for existing Polaroid cameras
above: FPP Guys John Fedele and Michael Raso "Rock Out" in the 2011 Year-End Closing Episode.
The Film Photography Project Internet Radio Show seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by Film Photography Podcast founder Michael Raso in October of 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs.
The show went weekly in December 2011 - Four JAM-PACKED episodes! FPP LOVES FILM!!!
I see you have shot with a Kodak Vest Pocket Autographic. I have one that a friend gave to me after he cleaned out his attic and I want to try using film in it. I'm a bit confused as to how to do it. Which film do you use?
What's all the excitement over film photography?!! Listen to the entire epic episode 47 of The Film Photography Podcast! Live from the NYC PDN Photo Plus Expo. Kodak! Keith Canham! Fuji! Freestyle! and More!
The Epic Episode! Film Photography Meet-Up at PDN NYC! Interviews include film-talk with Kodak, Instant film with Fujifilm, Large Format with Keith Canham, Photo Paper with Freestyle and lots, lots more! Hosted by Michael Raso, Mat Marrash with Dan Domme and FPP listener Alex Luyckx!
above: Still image from our FPP video. Follow link below.
Guest Blog by Mat Marrash
Just a month after finishing a project in B&W film and nearly a year exploring new color negative films, I’m starting to notice just how little attention I’ve been paying to slide film (insert sad face here). Each time I would start shooting some, the excitement of vivid colors on a positive image were quickly overtaken by thoughts of time wasted and more money spent. Regardless of overall quality, sending out your E-6 to be processed is time consuming, and can get expensive fast. And though I love my color lab for their quality and consistency, there are times where cutting out the middle man and saving a buck just sounds better. Enter in the world of home processing. For a minimum start-up cost, a warm sink, and about an hour of free time, you can start processing your own E-6 film at home.
Barbara J. Dombach's earnest photographic journey began in 1986 when she completed 10 solo shows and participated in over 70 group shows, winning various awards and merits including a 1992 “Lancaster City Arts Grant” to complete a project using Kodak HIE Infrared film.
The Film Photography Podcast (Internet Radio Show)! Episode 46 – November 1, 2011 Polaroid Land Camera explosion! DIY Camera Mods! 110 Film Returns! Is the Lomo-Look Family Friendly? Hosted by Michael Raso, Mat Marrash, John Fedele and new guy Dane “Smoove Sailor” Johnson!
When first released in 1979 the Olympus XA was a marvel of compact and feature-rich design. At just 2 ½ x 4 x 1 ½ inches—sized to fit comfortably in hand or pocket—the XA was the smallest, full-frame 35mm camera available.
Whether you’re using a lower speed film in daylight, trying to maximize your depth of field in a landscape, or just setting up the camera for an exposure at night, sooner or later you’re going to start pushing the limits of your film’s light gathering ability. As light becomes more scarce, the silver halide grains residing in your film will be less uniformly struck by photons, causing a steep drop in density after a few seconds of needed exposure. This exponentially diminishing response to low light levels is more popularly known as a film’s reciprocity failure. Not all films are created equal, and some will respond better than others, but here’s what you can typically expect...
Kaitlin Trataris is a senior at San Diego State University. She’s double majoring in Fine Arts, concentrating on film photography and Women's Studies. She started shooting film at a young age, experimenting with her father's old Chinon E-40 he bought in Europe during the 1980's.
She relayed to me via e-mail this summer that she’s set up a darkroom. She said “the endless possibilities of darkroom printing was so creatively stimulating I spent hours researching techniques and experimenting with my own.”
A few months ago I was chosen as a winner in the Polaroid Packtastic Giveaway over on the Film Photography Podcast. Michael sent me a beautiful, well-loved Polaroid 100 camera. It needs a bit of tending every now and then, but I don't mind showing it the extra love that it deserves. From the day I opened the package, I've kept this camera close by my side. It's one thing to get a new camera, but it's even better when someone hand picks a camera that they think you'll enjoy and they send it to you (at no cost). My excitement radiated as I tore open the box, read the enclosed note, and carefully opened the camera. And now, there's no turning back.
Here at The Film Photography Podcast, listener questions are a big part of what we do. You ask, then we do our darnedest to get you the answer you seek. For at least one out of every ten of these questions, we’re bound to get a question like, “What’s a good camera for somebody just starting out in film?” or “What 35mm camera should I get?”. Though the choices are plentiful, there is one camera that has quickly made its way to the top of our recommendations list, the Pentax K1000.
Simply put ‘Found film’ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_film) (also known as ‘forgotten film’) is film that you sometimes find hiding or ‘living’ in old cameras at thrift stores, car boot sales or yard sales. I say living because some of them have a form of fungus or mold on the film emulsion, as you can see in the picture below. Together with base fog caused by aging of the film and/or exposure to heat and light it destroys any latent image on the film.
I don't know about you folks but some days I'm stuck behind a desk doing paperwork. Perhaps you're stuck in a classroom somewhere. Regardless of where you're stuck, a much needed mid-afternoon break came by way of e-mail today. I'd like to share with you.
Well, it's that time of year again. Schools everywhere are getting back into full swing, and droves of new students are hitting the books and loading up their film cameras. But before rifling through that first roll of film and rushing to get it processed, let's go over the basics of your school's darkroom.
Much has been written elsewhere about the looting of the German camera factory tooling by the Soviets at the end of World War II so suffice to say that coming into Germany from an Easterly direction in the waning months of the war the Soviets found themselves in possession of the Contax factory in Dresden.
For the past year playing around with pack cameras and even some "Hasselroids" (Hasselblad Polaroids), I've been experimenting with whatever film I could get my hands on. The list is short, but thanks to the folks at Fuji, The Impossible Project, and even here at the FPP Store, the options are plentiful, from color, black and white, and even some specialty films. But above them all, my #1 favorite pack film has been Polaroid Sepia. It's not the easiest film to shoot, being rated at 1500 ASA, but when you get it right, man do those shots shine!
"I read review after review of the different cameras that Nikon had to offer, and finally I settled on the Nikon FE2 as my replacement camera. This review goes over the factors that influenced my decision."
The Film Photography Podcast. Now in it's third year!
FPP Spooky Halloween Show! BW Film Photography! Filters for BW Photography! Ghosts in your image! Reciprocity fail! Polaroid Stuff! Classic Camera Giveaway and more! Hosted by Michael Raso & Mat Marrash.
Film Photography Podcast Episode 44 - October 1, 2011
Defunct Polaroid Formats! Polaroid 35mm Instant Film, The Swinger and The Joycam / Captiva cameras are demonstrated! Polaroid 500 and Lomo Smena 8m giveaways!!!! Hosted by Michael Raso & Mat Marrash with John Fedele and Lauren Bagley.
Sixty Seconds in the Sunshine - Guest Blog by Jim Austin
The white bordered photograph whirrs out of the camera. Under the sun, it develops in sixty seconds. I am thinking "this is a bloody miracle." Then, I find I can make it into a little painting with dental tools.
Yup, you guessed it, we're talking Polaroid SX-70. I manipulate the surface of the Polaroid Print.
The Kodak Brownie Hawkeye was one of a long list of cameras called Brownie that Kodak manufactured beginning in 1900 and lasting throughout most of the 20th Century. The Hawkeye model debuted in 1949 and production lasted through 1951.
"Hearing my lament at how my rangefinder was going to suck in such low light, Mike Raso suggested that I take his trusty Vivitar 252 flash with me for the remainder of the evening as I headed back to the hotel. I started to turn him down because the Konica only has a “cold shoe.” That is, the little bracket that holds the flash to the camera doesn’t have any electrical contacts on it to tell the flash when to fire. The only way to fire it is with the PC socket...."
Film Photography Podcast Episode 43 / September 15, 2011
It's the Internet Radio Show for people who LOVE to shoot with film!!!!
FPP gives away cameras to film students in this Back-To-School episode! Argus 75 and Nikon FE2 discussed, listener letters and much more. Hosted by Michael Raso, Mat Marrash and John Fedele with special guest artist Lauren Bagley.
Forget scanning and inkjet printers, head to the darkroom and make your very own silver gelatin prints!
When you take a picture on black and white film, light is permeating layers of sensitized silver, physically altering the structure of the silver and thereby capturing the image. Through development, the light-struck silver develops as black for highlight values and becomes increasingly more transparent for shadow values. To get a positive image, one must either scan the film and reverse the image digitally, or do the traditional thing and make a gelatin silver print. Much like the B&W film, a gelatin silver print is an image suspended in a layer of silver gelatin, but on a paper substrate. Enough about the science behind it, have you seen one of these prints?!
It’s the Large Format show! Well, sort of! Join host Michael Raso in his luxurious remote studio in Findlay, OH along with co-host Mat Marrash and special guest Dan Domme. Sit back, relax, and sip on a Mr. Brown, because you’re in for quite a ride!
In case you haven't heard, there is a tremendous thing happening, and it involves free film!
The Film Photography Podcast, headed up by the enthusiastic Michael Raso, has monthly giveaways of both 35mm and medium format film. I've been extra lucky in the month of July because I happened to be one of those few who received some film in the mail.
"Over the past 15 months, I’ve burned a whole mess of film, with formats ranging from 110 all the way up to 8x10! I’ve discovered firsthand the kinks and quirks of each emulsion, and have found myself coming back to certain favorites. Above all else, the film that I’m always shooting some of is the new Kodak Portra. It’s been quite an interesting year shooting it, so let’s just start from the beginning."
Today I received an e-mail from a Film Photography Podcast listener who had two questions about his Polaroid 100 Automatic Land Camera.
"Love your podcasts. I had my Polaroid 1oo Land Camera reconditioned recently and have been shooting over the last couple of days. I'm new to it and been having both good and bad results. I was hoping you may be able to answer a few questions for me?
My first question - is it possible to have the lens changed on the 100? I'm finding that it's really not possible to do any close up work.
My other question is what setting do you recommend when shooting with manual off-camera flash? I have a Nikon SB-28 flash and have been going through a lot of trial and error trying to get the flash exposures correct. I'm setting the aperture on the flash for f/8 and the focal length for 85mm, and then setting the ASA accordingly. I've been trying both direct and bounced flash. I don't mind the trial and error stuff, but it's seems so wasteful and a little costly to keep going through all of this film.
April-Lea Hutchinson is a film photographer and model from London, Ontario. Shooting primarily with Polaroid and Holga cameras, April says in her own words – “I look for emotion to tell a story and reveal the beauty in my characters. Beyond the aesthetic qualities imparted by instant film and long exposures, my empathetic relationship with the person in front of the camera infuses my images with comfortable intimacy and perhaps a touch of nostalgia.”
April-Lea loves shooting with expired Polaroid color film. I recently sent her some samples of expired Polaroid 108 color instant film from our FPP Store. I followed up about her Polaroid 420 camera and experience with the color-funky-awesome Polaroid 108 film!
What is FPP? The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Film Photography Project Store.
I have been in a 'funk' for months when it comes to creativity. I’d done little to no photography for many months, so was in desperate need of a kick start.
Then I read on the Film Photography Podcast Flickr group about a meet-up/photo-walk right here in the UK. The idea of meeting up with fellow film users was juhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifst the thing to get me going again and I was encouraged by the fact that FPP guys Michael Raso and John Fedele were making the trip over the pond just to visit us UK listeners. I'd not done anything of the kind, doing a photo-walk with a group, let alone a bunch of film nuts.
What is FPP? The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent givhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gife-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Film Photography Project Store.
About me Michael Raso is passionate about film as a viable and exciting medium for the visual artist, even in this age of digital photography. A photographer, producer ahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifnd filmmaker working professionally in the visual arts for over 20 years, Michael is also the founder of the Film Photography Project and its fortnightly internet radio show, the Film Photography Podcast. At last count, Michael was actively shooting with over 50 vintage cameras.
For the last 6 months I’ve been shooting almost exclusively with Polaroid Automatic Land Cameras. I’ve been blogging , pod casting and making videos about this wonderful series of cameras, so I’m not surprised that I’m now getting e-mails about camera problems. I’d like to share an e-mail exchange with you. Perhaps it’ll help you with your Polaroid Automatic Land Camera!
Hi, I just purchased a Polaroid 420 from the FPP Store. It got here fine, looks great, loaded it up with FP-100c and my first shot came out just fine. Every shot I've tried since then has been coming out black - no image - just a black rectangle. My ISO is set right (75), I'm cocking the shutter, I can hear it go ping when I press the shutter release, the film seems to come out from the machine just fine, I'm letting the negative sit while it develops as directed by Fuji, but when I peal, no image. I haven't tried anything film other than the original ten FP-100c that I loaded initially. Any idea what might be happening?
Many thanks for any advice you might be able to give me.
Peter via e-mail
********
Michael Raso to Peter show details Jun 26 (2 days ago)
Peter,
Sounds like the camera shutter isn't getting power or you are not keeping your finger on the shutter when exposing your image.
Firstly, lets test the shutter. (Without film in the camera) shoot in an indoor room. Cock and then press the shutter (keeping your finger on the shutter til it opens and then closes). Do you hear the shutter open, then close. Try in various light situations. Dim, dim light will leave the shutter open. If you swing your camera into a light mid-shot, you'll hear the shutter close.
Still no "click - click"? Might be a power problem.
Carefully open the battery compartment, remove and then return the batteries into their compartment making sure the batteries are making a connection.
Repeat step one. When shooting make sure you keep your finger depressed on the shutter til the camera shutter opens then closes. You will hear two clicks when shooting in dim light. (meaning the shutter is operating)
Please let me know your results!
Best, Michael Raso Film Photography Podcast http://filmphotographypodcast.com/
****************
Michael,
Doctor, your diagnosis was excellent. User error. I wasn't holding down the shutter release button long enough. I was hitting it and releasing rather than holding it down. Thank you!
Peter
Top image: April-Lea Hutchinson shoots with the Polaroid 420. Image by Michael Raso
Below: FPP You Tube video about the Polaroid 420 Automatic Land Camera
What is FPP? The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Film Photography Project Store.
About me Michael Raso is passionate about film as a viable and exciting medium for the visual artist, even in this age of digital photography. A photographer, producer and filmmaker working professionally in the visual arts for over 20 years, Michael is also the founder of the Film Photography Project and its fortnightly internet radio show, the Film Photography Podcast. At last count, Michael was actively shooting with over 50 vintage cameras.
While in London UK this past weekend for our Film Photography Podcast (FPP) Meet-Up, I (along with FPP super-pal John Fedele) had the opportunity to shoot with the new Lomography La Sardina "El Capitan" 35mm camera. With a spectacular wide-angle lens, multiple exposure capabilities, tripod thread, flash, color flash filters and a rewind dial—this is the perfect summer fun camera. Hey, it’s shaped like a can of sardines too!
The camera retails for $99.us and includes the camera, flash, big lomography book (Yup, that a book…not a booklet) and instructions. Three other models are also available. If you’re into W-I-D-E angle film photography, multiple exposures, lens flare and collecting cool cameras, add the La Sardina line of cameras to you wish-list!
Technical Specifications: • Film Type: Standard 35mm (135) • Exposure Area: 36mm x 24mm • Lens Focal Length: 21mm • Aperture: Fixed f/8 • Angle of view: 91 degrees • Shutter Speed: Bulb (B), 1/100 (N) • Closest Focusing Distance: 0.6m • Focusing Steps: Two Step Focusing -- 0.6m-1m, 1m-Infinity • View Finder: Inverse Galileo-Type Built-in Viewfinder • Film Counting: Auto Film Counting • Film Stopping: Yes • Multiple Exposures: Yes • Cable Release Connection: Yes • Tripod Mount: 1/4' Tripod Screw • Shutter Release Lock: Shutter Locks After Lens Collapsed • Flash Contact: Unique La Sardina Micro Contact (for Fritz the Blitz flash only)
What is Lomography? The desire for spontaneous and unpredictable distortions of developed Lomographic photos have spawned an emerging Lomographic community and the Lomographic Society International, a group of Lomographic photographers ("Lomographers" or "Lomographiers") with the intention to "speak in photos and know no boundaries in our mission to snapshot every corner of the world".
Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique."[citation needed] Users are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo LC-A's small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage, and photo vérité through the "10 Golden Rules" to maximize their chances to capture strange photos and to embody a Lomographers' statement of life being unpredictable curious adventure of "having fun while taking good pictures":
- Take your camera everywhere you go. - Use it any time – day and night. - Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it. - Try the shot from the hip - Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible. - Don't think! Just Shoot (also the credo of Lomography). - Be fast - You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film. - Afterwards either. - Don't worry about any rules. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomography
What is FPP? The Film Photography Project seeks to inform, engage and inspire amateur and professional photographers working in the traditional film medium. Launched by FPP founder Michael Raso in 2009, FPP provides a forum for photographers from around the globe to share their creative output, challenges and product reviews, while promoting the viability of vintage cameras and film through frequent give-aways and exchange programs. In addition to the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show, the Film Photography Project network of imprints includes the FPP Flickr Page, YouTube Channel, Facebook Group, Twitter Account, newsletter and the Film Photography Project Store.
About me Michael Raso is passionate about film as a viable and exciting medium for the visual artist, even in this age of digital photography. A photographer, producer and filmmaker working professionally in the visual arts for over 20 years, Michael is also the founder of the Film Photography Project and its fortnightly internet radio show, the Film Photography Podcast. At last count, Michael was actively shooting with over 50 vintage cameras.
