Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Preston James’ Vintage Polaroid 225 Automatic Land Camera

self portrait

Blog by Michael Raso

Last week I announced our first Film Photography Project “Cameras Need TLC Too” giveaway. Many cameras acquired by Film Photography Project (FPP) have suffered years of storage in dusty attics and/or have some cosmetic defects. A few smudges, scrapes and discoloration certainly do not warrant that we send a working camera to the land fill, so after thorough testing, we offer them up to our blog readers and Internet radio listeners free of charge.

Cameras Need Love Too!

On Monday Preston James won the Polaroid 225 Automatic Land camera. Preston is from Lehi, Utah USA and first started shooting four years ago. His first camera was a Minolta 35mm Automatic and he quickly moved on to the Canon AE-1 after finding it at a local thrift store. Preston’s newest cameras are the Mamiya M645 and the Olympus Trip 35 (which rarely leaves his hand!).

Although Preston has shot with Polaroid 600 and SX-70 cameras, he has never experienced shooting with a Polaroid “pack” camera. All of us at FPP and thrilled to give Preston the opportunity to shoot and experiment with this great instant photography format. The Polaroid 225 camera now has a new home!

Images above:

Preston James self-portrait shot with his Mamiya M645 on 220 film

Image of Preston’s new vintage Polaroid 225 Automatic Camera (image by Michael Raso)

We welcome Preston to the Film Photography Project community and encourage you to view his work on Flickr.com.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenviola/

seagull
“Seagull” Minolta 35mm Automatic image by Preston James

Miss this giveaway? No worries…the Film Photography Project (FPP) gives away film and film cameras monthly. Tune into the show!

Stream, Download, iTunes or Zune the Film Photography Podcast Internet Radio Show
http://filmphotographypodcast.com/






What’s FPP?
The Film Photography Project 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 2010, 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, 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.

Film Photography Pod Cast
Film Photography on Flickr
Film Photography YouTube Channel
Film Photography Facebook Group
Film Photography Twitter Account

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Cameras Need TLC Too! FPP Polaroid 225 Camera Giveaway!

Cameras Need Love Too!

blog by Michael Raso

This Polaroid 225 Automatic “Pack Film” Land Camera (pictured above) was purchased on e-bay. It’s a “classic” folding instant film camera that was built in 1968. Even though Polaroid Corporation stopped producing film in 2008, Fujifilm still makes both color and BW film for this camera.

The e-bayer who sold it to me claimed to be the original owner and advertised it as the Polaroid Countdown 70! What arrived was a grimy, abused Polaroid 225 Land Camera in desperate need of some care. The original battery was corrosion free and still holding a charge. With some "spit and polish" I was able to clean it up and give it a spin.

It was originally planned as a FPP give-away camera. Now that I’m confident it’s operational, I’m offering it up. It's hardly brand new but is “the” perfect camera for a curious film shooter who has never shot with a Polaroid Pack camera.

So, if you don’t already own a Polaroid Pack camera and would like to own this “starter” camera, send me an e-mail at FilmPhotographyPodcast (AT) gmail.com

Make sure you e-mail me your name, address and tell me a little about yourself and your film photography. Deadline for e-mail entries is 9am est Friday, April 22, 2011. You will be notified by e-mail if you win!


Here are images taken with the Polaroid 225 camera!

Polaroid 225 Automatic Land Camera

Polaroid 225 Automatic Land Camera

Dan and Mat at MACS Diner!

The Polaroid 225 camera uses both Fujifilm FP-100c (color) or FP-3000b (BW) film.

Miss this giveaway? No worries…the Film Photography Project (FPP) gives away film and film cameras monthly. Tune into the show!

Stream, Download, iTunes or Zune
http://filmphotographypodcast.com/






What’s FPP?
The Film Photography Project 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 2010, 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, 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.

Film Photography Pod Cast
Film Photography on Flickr
Film Photography YouTube Channel
Film Photography Facebook Group
Film Photography Twitter Account

All images © Michael Raso / Film Photography Project

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Film Photography Podcast Listeners MEET-UP in NYC!

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

blog by Michael Raso

The first Film Photography Podcast (FPP) meet-up was held in New York City on Saturday, April 16, 2011. Grey skies and wind didn’t stop avid FPPers and FPP founder and host Michael Raso (That's me!) from coming out to meet and get to know each other.

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Meet-Up organizer Dan Domme along with Michael Calleia and Mat Marrash mapped a walking route from 23rd Steet to Canal that included stops at Lomography Store, Leica Gallery and The Impossible Project. The day ended at Impossible where the enthusiastic group posed for an 8x10 portrait shot on Mat Marrash’s Eastman Commercial B camera.

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011
FPP Co-Host Mat Marrash tries out the Lomography 360 Spinner 35mm camera

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011
above shots: FPP group leader Dan Domme leads from 24th Street through Chelsea to the Lomography Store on 8th Avenue.

Below: Lomography Store manager Hans Hendley welcomes Film Photography Podcast! Hans gives a lecture on the Lomo CLA camera, chats with fellow FPPers and takes a group shot in front of the shop.

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

LOMOGRAPHY: What is it?

Lomography is a Magazine, a Shop, and a Community dedicated to analogue photography.

It began with a fateful encounter in the early 1990s, when two students in Vienna, Austria, stumbled upon the Lomo Kompakt Automat – a small, enigmatic Russian camera. Mindlessly taking shots from the hip, and sometimes looking through the viewfinder, they were astounded with the mindblowing photos that it produced – the colours were vibrant, with deep saturation and vignettes that framed the shot – it was nothing like they had seen before! Upon returning home, friends wanted their own Lomo LC-A, igniting a new style of artistic experimental photography that we now know as Lomography!

http://www.lomography.comhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

The 10 Golden Rules of Lomographyhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

below: FPP Group members took a lunch pitstop at New York’s famous TWO BOOTS PIZZA

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

The group stopped briefly at the Leica Gallery where I shot a portrait of group member Jordan Starr. (I didn’t know photography wasn’t allowed until a guard quietly murmered to me “No photography in the gallery.”)

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Last stop – The Impossible Project on Broadway at Canal Street. The Impossible Project is responsible for manufacturing brand new film for vintage Polaroid cameras. Impossible guy Frank Love and staff gave us their full attention as “FPP Mat” set up his 8x10 camera for our group shot.

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

A terrific day. Amazing thanks to the kind folks at Lomography, The Impossible Project, Dan Domme, Mat Marrash, Michael Calleia and the FPP listeners who attended. FPP listener support has been overwhelming in 2011. I’m looking forward to future meet-ups!

Write to me at FilmPhotographyPodcast (at) gmail.com

Film Photography Podcast NYC Meet-Up 2011

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 Filmhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif Photography Project Store.

Film Photography Pod Cast www.filmphotographypodcast.com/

Film Photography Podcast's FLICKR GROUP!
http://www.flickr.com/groups/filmphotographypodcast/


Photos by Michael Raso / Copyright 2011 Film Photography Project

Thursday, April 14, 2011

100 Polaroids - Rediscovering My Polaroid Spectra

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_10_web

Guest blog by Chelsy Usher

How could I go so long without picking up my Polaroid Spectra camera? There are countless factors that added up to my leaving her on the shelf for so long. One, I had always used a Spectra in high school, so of course I felt I had to move on to something more obscure and unusual…more fitting to my age. Something like a Holga or some other hip camera with a colored flash or a wide-angle lens. Another reason is enormous frustration cultivated by the eBay Polaroid Spectra film online bidding wars. “Forget it then!” I’d say after losing, last minute, to someone willing to pay more hundreds than I, “I’ll use my Diana!”

But the main reason I avoided my Spectra for so long: Simple intimidation.

In my younger days I’d never been worried about what would amount during a fun-filled instant film play day. Never. Anything that would develop would be entertaining and exciting. I’d point and shoot without a worry in the world. I was a teenager, a moody, arty one. These days, with all the fantastic Polaroid photographers out there - could I really compete anymore? Could I even take an interesting picture without the help of light leaks or F-stop control or…a dark room?

When Film Photography Project’s Michael Raso asked me (so long ago, now) to shoot the Sansone exhibit with the Spectra, I saw it as an opportunity to get back in the saddle and reacquainted with my old favorite. A Spectra isn’t like a Polaroid 600 camera, or any other instant camera. Who can resist its flaxen hues, it’s expansive frame. It had been so long that I really had no idea what to expect, so the fear of total humiliation provided a challenge of sorts.

When I arrived at the Pat Sansone “100 Polaroids” book signing, there was hardly anyone there. A few random bodies, meandering around the beautiful loft space.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_4_web

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_11_web

I didn’t really know what to do. I started shooting…and in view of Pat Sansone’s uber professional grade prints…I began to panic. Good thing I brought my model friend, Tiana to help me fill the gaps of anxiety.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_9_web

We were so early; there wasn’t much to shoot. Pat was busy chatting and, as it turns out, I’m the worst paparazzo there is. What I wanted to do was get up in people’s face. Like this:

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_7_web

That’s me, though. Because I was too shy to shove my camera in someone else’s face.

Eventually, the crowd began to grow and, thanks to the help of some Pabst blue ribbon, I began to get a touch braver.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_2_web

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_5_web

That guy on the right was so great. Completely photo worthy.

You’d be surprised how willing people are to be in photos if you just ask them.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_12_web

As the evening wore on, things loosened up a bit. I started caring less about whether my pictures would measure up to the gallery quality around me. After all, isn’t that what I did as a teenager? Just shoot and have fun? I believe that’s what film photography is all about!

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_8_web

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_10_web

Looking back on the pictures now, I have a fondness for them that I didn’t have way back in November. I’m less critical and more appreciative of the color palette the Spectra offers.

100 Polaroids - Rediscovering My Polaroid Spectra

A population of feet and legs are one of my favorite subjects.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_13_web

I wonder what she’s saying…

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_3_web

Pat and a friend.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_Spectra_1_web

The rest of the photos, for me, proved to me less than interesting. So, I leaned on my high school self to get creative with the prints. I got the scissors and a penny and went to town like they were a bunch of scratch tickets. I pulled off the layers, I rearranged and I…am happy with the results. They make me nostalgic for the days without Adobe Photoshop software.

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_colrd_4_web

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_colrd_3_web

2010_11_19_SansoneChicago_colrd_2_web

And lastly (above), a photo that looks like it was taken year and years ago. One of the reasons I so love Polaroid photography. It will be a long while before I hesitate to pick up the Spectra again. I might not be a master photographer…but I’ll always have fun!!!

~Chelsy


Chelsy Usher / photo by Duane Polcou
Chelsy Usher is an artist, model and FPP contributor. She’s currently on the road heading West. Her Spectra images were shot at Pat Sansone’s “100 Polaroids” book signing Johalla Projects, Chicago, IL on November 19, 2011
Chelsy's Flickr Photostream - http://www.flickr.com/photos/chelsyusher/


Pat Sanone's "100 Polaroids" Los Angeles
Musician, Photographer Pat Sansone is a multi-instrumentalist in the rock bands The Autumn Defense and Wilco. His tremendously tuned ear has led him to become a studio musician and producer. His own project The Autumn Defense was formed in New Orleans in 1999 with friend John Stirratt of Wilco, and the band is responsible for three full length albums. Pat and John’s new album “Once Around” was released on November 2, 2010.
http://theautumndefense.com/


Polaroid Impulse Portrait / Impossible PX 600 UV+
FPP - Film Photography Project
Launched in October of 2009, the Film Photography Podcast is a 90 minute, bi-weekly Internet radio program, exploring a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced and aspiring photographer using film as a medium. Host Michael Raso and guests enthusiastically dissect and debate the pros-and-cons of film formats, do-it-yourself techniques, digital technologies, and vintage and contemporary cameras and accessories in a thorough, informative and casual manner. Regular features include Camera tests and reviews, “book of the month”, interviews, a listener-generated Q&A, and film-related giveaways.

Produced in the United States, the Film Photography Podcast is broadcast around the globe via iTunes and direct stream from http://www.filmphotographypodcast.com

All images by Chelsy Usher
Polaroid Spectra AF camera on Polaroid Image film
© 2010 Film Photography Project

Monday, April 11, 2011

Never say Impossible. New Color Film for Polaroid 600 Cameras!

Polaroid 600

blog by Michael Raso

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.

The Impossible Project - Press Conference 3/22/10
above: The Impossible Project announce film for Polaroid cameras – NYC March 22, 2010 / photo by Michael Raso

Impossible has made good on their promises and has introduced the first new color film for Polaroid 600 cameras since Polaroid closed their plants in 2008.

Called PX 680, this new film will be available to the public this spring. A select number of “beta testers” shot with this special new film. One such person was Teryn Brown, who I met when she e-mail me about my podcast (The Film Photography Podcast).

Teryn generously offered to share her new instant film experience with me (once Impossible Project publicly announced their new film) and I’m happy to share her film experience.

"tell me how you got into shooting instant photography"
Aside from playing around with a Polaroid 600 One Step Close-Up camera as a kid and during college, I got started shooting instant photography about a year ago. During my time at Illinois State University as an art major I primarily shot medium format (film). After I graduated I kept shooting but being away from the photo lab and not being able to make my own prints on a regular basis sort of slowed down the whole process.

I started taking a different camera with me each time I went out including my Polaroid 600 One Step Close and my Polaroid 320. From that point on, I was hooked! Since then, I have ordered a Polaroid SX70 (which I found in mint condition for $15 dollars on ebay after months of searching for an affordable one), a Polaroid Spectra, a Fuji Instax 100, a Polaroid back for my Mamiya RB67 and tons of instant film.

Polaroid 600

"When did you start shooting Impossible film"
I found out about the Impossible Project when I was looking on ebay for some film. Someone was selling a pack of Impossible PX100 and I thought to myself "what the heck is that" so I typed it into "THE GOOGLE" and thought I had struck gold!!!!

"How did you become a Beta Tester for The Impossible Project"
After a few months of shooting Impossible Project film, I noticed that on their website they were allowing people to submit their best PX70 (first flush color film) shot for a chance to be chosen as one of twenty to help test their new films. I had already shot a pack of that film so I went back to my images and selected the VERY FIRST photo I had ever taken with PX70, it was my favorite and I thought I might as well give it a try. A month or two later they emailed me back with the good news!!!

Impossible Project / Film Photography Project Blog 4/11/2011
above: Teryn's winning image "Boxing Gloves" on left.

Here is a link to the newsletter announcing the twenty photographers mine is the photo of the boxing gloves on the wall : http://shop.the-impossible-project.com/newsletters/?date=2010-10-21&start=20

"Were you excited or nervous to be a beta tester? What cameras do you use to shoot Impossible film. Tell us about your Beta Test experience."
I was extremely excited when I found out that I was going to be helping out with film testing. However I was a bit nervous when I found out it was going to be film that was optimized for Polaroid 600 cameras. The only 600 camera that I had was the 600 one step close up which I love but I primarily use my SX70 with Impossible Project film because I love the manual focusing, the closer focal length and as a fan of natural light I am given the option to not use flash if I don't want to. I don't have a neutral density filter for my sx70 so I went ahead and used the one step close up which turned out just fine.

Image by Teryn Brown / Film Photography Project Blog 4/11/2011

I think the PX 680 Color Shade Beta Test Film has a ton of great features. The color is great, (as you can see in the image above) and the film has an overall yellowness to it but the range of color representation is much wider than any previous Impossible color film.

Image by Teryn Brown / Film Photography Project Blog 4/11/2011

A great thing about the film is that it is much less sensitive to light. You can still see the difference between film that is left out in strong light and film that was kept in the dark for processing but no matter what, you still get a great image. The film is also not as sensitive to temperature. One drawback is the white spots that are all over the image (in the beta test film). Overall, its great stuff and I would encourage any Impossible Project fans to give it a try!

Teryn Brown / Film Photography Project Blog 4/11/2011
Teryn Brown is a graduate from the Art Photography program at Illinois State University. She primarily shoots with medium format film and instant integral or pack film (polaroid, fuji, impossible).

Teryn on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/51981876@N05/

Teryn’s Webpage
www.terynwbrown.com

self portrait / Polaroid 110a
I host The Film Photography Podcast (Internet Radio Show). The show is a 90 minute, bi-weekly Internet radio program, exploring a wide range of topics relevant to the experienced and aspiring photographer using film as a medium. Host Michael Raso and guests enthusiastically dissect and debate the pros-and-cons of film formats, do-it-yourself techniques, digital technologies, and vintage and contemporary cameras and accessories in a thorough, informative and casual manner.

Produced in the United States, the Film Photography Podcast is broadcast around the globe via iTunes and direct stream from http://www.filmphotographypodcast.com