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
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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/
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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.
I prefer older, more inexpensive manual focus cameras to fancier ones. Most of the photos I take are taken with a Olympus XA2, a Minolta X-700 or SRT-201, Canon Canonet GIII QL17 or my Polaroid 420.
No photoshopping or anything, except for a little bit of corrective cropping. What I saw is what you see.
I got my 420 about five years ago for two dollars about at a garage sale in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The seller of it was so eager to get rid of it, for some reason, that he threw in a couple of other plastic 35mm cameras and two packs of film. The battery still worked, the lens was clear, the bellows were in good shape (unlike on the 220 that my father gave me, which he used for many years) and I had film, so I was able to head out and start shooting right away. It was sort of a boon to me because I got it right around when I gave up on my EE100 Special. So all of a sudden I had a new peel-apart camera that worked. It wasn't meant for the square format films, but they work in it just fine as long as I remember to compose my photos as a square.
I don't know where most people stand on this, but I prefer peel-apart films to integral films. There's just something about those colors, and about the delicacy or the fragility of the print. The smell, maybe the warning about the caustic chemicals. Maybe it's just that integral films are tucked away, encased in a spacesuit. I'm not sure.
Whenever I have the chance to use my 420, I really get excited. I don't use it as much as I should, I'll be the first to admit, but I always find that I sort of see the world differently when I use it. I find a certain calm in what I'm shooting that I don't know that I seek out otherwise. I love holding the camera up to my eye, framing a shot, watching the rangefinder's focusing patch line up, and then that pop, not a click, a pop of the shutter.
One of the interesting things is I remember a lot about what was going on in my life when I use that camera. They stand out in my mind for one reason or another somehow. For instance, I shot this one: www.flickr.com/photos/watusi/223836212/ when my first daughter was only a few days old. I remember the day I shot it. The walk I was on, what I was doing that day, exactly where those sunflowers are, and what errand I was running when I shot it. The same for this one: www.flickr.com/photos/watusi/223836198/ There's more to the photos I've taken with this one than just rectangles of film. There's real memories there. I have memories of my father shooting some photos of my family with his camera, and, now my daughter gets disappointed when I'm not photographing her with my "picture camera." Is it silly nostalgia? They're also great cameras that put out great pictures.
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 met Mat Marrash at the PDN Photo Expo in NYC in 2010. He was already a listener of The Film Photography Podcast and frequently sent e-mails to the FPP google account offering comments and helpful hints. A lifetime student of photography and all around tech junkie, Mat switched from digital to film and hasn't looked back. In 2011, Mat joined me as co-host on the Film Photography Podcast and I recently found out that he owns a Polaroid 420 folding camera. When I asked Mat about his experiences with his 420, he sent me the following response.
"What's not to love about the Polaroid 420 Land Camera? For starters, this baby runs pretty cheap, I scored mine for a cool $5.00us. It only needs a fresh battery and some film, which you can now get both at the FPP store (as well as your own 420!). And with film, you have a surprising amount of options available! You can shoot:
Once you're geared up and ready to shoot, all you have to do is fold it out, focus using its rangefinder, compose, and shoot. For creative control, you can adjust exposure value on the fly from +2 to -1.5 stops. Strobists, even you can rejoice, this thing has a PC flash input!
Limitations? Hardly.
Yes, the front element is plastic, this shouldn't come as a surprise. If you're looking for the utmost in sharpness, look for an earlier Land 100 or consult The Land List for a better listing of models that contain glass. Otherwise, enjoy the soft, swirly corners this will produce up close. Pictorialism is coming back in a big way, you can be ahead of the curve!
If you're looking for a camera that's fun, gives you a print right on the scene, and is a real crowd-pleaser, look no further than the pack-film cameras, namely the 420. For myself, this camera is my goto for parties, family events, and just plain fun in an instant. There's 40+ million marooned Polaroid cameras out there, give one a home and a fresh pack of film today."
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.
