cold and blue...

Another 4x5 selfie in the record books. I can't quite figure out how to control the color of this film.  It's definitely not the temperature of the film. I heated this film before exposing and before processing to get it to 80-90 degrees. I think it must be the color of the light. This was taken in the shade and it seemed like a blueish light. At least it matches how cold it was outside in the shade. Regardless of the results, it is always fun to play around with my 4x5 camera and instant film...

before we left...

Today, I wanted to use a film that I hardly ever use and take it in a place that is not my norm. The film was expired Polaroid Type 59, the camera/lens was my Toyo-View G 4x5 / Fujinon 210mm f/5.6 and the location was in my office using cloudy window light. Because of the scarce lighting, I used a shutter speed of 1/2 second and hoped for the best. Sherri is becoming more accustomed to me surprising her with another hairbrained idea for a picture. I have taken so many pictures of her lately with all of my different cameras and film, she is probably becoming numb to it. This picture was a spur-of-the-moment photo request when we were on our way out the door. I had the camera set up in my office with a film holder loaded for the occasion.

Not for sure why this particular box of film has the orange band across the middle, but it has been there on every shot. If the exposure is dark, it seems to show up even more. Even with the orange band, I can't wait for more pictures with this film. Glad I still have almost 3 boxes of 20 left...  

I'm positive the negative is a keeper...

I totally missed the exposure on this one (see above). I thought the film was 100 ISO and it turned out that it was 640 ISO. I didn't peel the film until later that night and realized that I had really messed it up. I decided to wash the negative and scan the portion that would fit in the Epson V600 scanner to see if I could get a better image (see below). I was floored at the detail that was buried in the negative. The 1200 dpi scan shows pores and eyelashes. That being said, the print and the negative are both pretty amazing...

bailey - double take...

Got the opportunity to take a couple of 8x10 portraits of Baily while he was in Texas helping out Tyler with a wedding. Took the photos in Dallas in an area where I couldn't use the processor. I was afraid of a divot ruining one of the photos, so I took two. The first one was taken with the new Impossible film and the second one was taken with an October 2012 batch. Luckily both of them turned out better than I could have ever expected. If I had the choice of only one instant camera, I would trade in all my others to keep my 8x10. I am so hooked on this film...

toby - mammoth...

I brought three sheets of Polaroid Type 59 4x5 film on the California road trip. On the last morning at the lodge in Mammoth, we took a few photos of each other. Todd from Shutter Plus Light was generous enough to let me use his 4x5 camera for this portrait of Toby. Seeing this guy, who is famous for his intergral film shots, with a packfilm camera around his neck seems a bit ironic...

matt ronan...

Had the opportunity to photograph Matt again today. As always, it was a little difficult to actually meet up, but it worked out in the end. In my opinion this photo made it all worth it...

composition test shot...

Got a Polaroid 405 back in the mail today. Wanted to test it out in my Toyo 4x5 View Camera to determine the composition of the frame lines using the smaller Type 100 packfilm in a 4x5 camera. Took a couple of tries, but I think I have the composition set. This photo was taken indoors with an LED light directly above the camera as the only light source. Practicing with the 4x5 camera so that it can make the trip with me next week to Joshua Tree...

rita...

Rita was another one of my volunteers on Thanksgiving day. I am definitely glad that she let me photograph her. What a solemn pose! When I told her to "hold that pose and expression", I know that she didn't realize how long she would have to maintain it. Everyone seem to just sigh after I clicked the shutter and told them I was done. Rita was no exception there...

a portrait of Matt Ronan...

Had the pleasure of meeting Matt Ronan, in person, today. He came to Greenville to pick up some film that he bought from Tyler. Since he drove over an hour to get here, I felt I should at least ask if he was willing to do an 8x10 portrait before he left. Fortunately, he was up for it. In all practical terms, the day was definitely a bit too warm to be taking portraits outside at 1:30 pm (right at 100 degrees outside), but we found a shade in downtown Greenville and set up the behemoth of a camera and proceeded to take this portrait. Definitely glad we did! 

Another testament to the whole community of instant film. So much interest in giving back to each other and such an emphasis on meeting one another. Just like holding a physical print in your hand, there is nothing like meeting someone in person, getting to talk face-to-face, shake their hand and take an instant photo...

8x10 Color Test Film - Take Two...

Ok, this is actually take three. For the real take two, I put the negative in the holder backwards. That is what I get for trying to hurry a shot today at lunch. Came home this afternoon from work and re-shot this one and also a self-portrait in the back yard (will post it later).

Have to admit, I edited the image by reversing it in Aperture. I couldn't get past the word TAXI being backwards (IXAT). Other than that, it is exactly like the original.

The detail in this image is INCREDIBLE. Click on the image to enlarge and see the detail that I am talking about.

Still more to come...

a new adventure...

My first glimpse into a new photography adventure... 

To be honest, I never really thought that I would be so fascinated by a picture. The whole process of arriving at the point of holding an Impossible 8x10 picture in your hand is really an extraordinary experience. The end result here is that it sealed my fate of diving into 8x10 photography. Unfortunately, there is no backing out now... 

A big thanks to Justin Goode for spending so much time talking me through his experience so far with 8x10 photography and for taking the picture below.  Also many thanks go out to Anne at The Impossible Project for her incredible generosity and continued help with my many questions.