troy bradford instant photos: juli

Last weekend a group of instant film fanatics from all around the metroplex, the state, the US and abroad converged on Texas for our 2nd annual Texas State Fair Polawalk (ie. #PolawalkTX). Even with all the visitors, we didn't get a large Texas-sized heap of good weather. The weekend was plagued with clouds, rain, heat and humidity. Unfortunately the main event on Saturday ended up being a sunny, bright 90 degree humid day. This was absolutely brutal on the visitors (and even the native Texans). As a follow-up to this event, we spent the next day resting at a local studio in Deep Ellum (many thanks to Makeshift Photography) and just photographing each other. I had planned on spending the entire weekend using my 8x10 Toyo View Camera and Impossible 8x10 instant film at all the different locations. Due to the unpredictable Texas weather, I had to compress the entire four days of 8x10 shooting into one. Justin Goode also broke out his 8x10 Burke and James Grover to take a few photos, including the ones of Toby and Cameron below. Toby Hancock wanted to be photographed by both Justin and myself. His goal is to become the most photographed person on 8x10 instant film. He is well on his way after the Texas trip (I think he has been photographed by four people now)...

Speaking of 8x10 photography, it must be said that 8x10 photographs taken with a view camera are nothing short of amazing. The entire process takes you back to a day when photography, as the sole means of capturing a portrait, was very rudimentary. When you are behind the camera the reality of seeing a reflection of the focused image projected onto the ground glass is absolutely surreal. As all of the people below can attest, "the 8x10 process" takes patience from both the photographer and the subject. My main goal with 8x10 photographs is to slow down and spend enough time with the subject to produce an image that makes them smile when they see it. I think all of these image met that goal.

A well-deserved thanks to The Impossible Project for bringing the idea of instant film back to life and for supporting all of us instant film fanatics in more ways than we can ever mention. For me personally, without the encouragement & support from the staff at the online US Impossible Office (specifically Anne and Patrick), I would have never gone this far with instant photography.

Now to the photos...

Toby
*by Troy Bradford