Mocking Bird » The Impossible Project

Impossible Fun

Amanda — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 14:00:29 +0000

Hello all…

I’ve been shooting some much-needed Polaroid therapy this week. Yes, Polaroid therapy. I start to get itchy when it’s been a while between shoots. This was my first time testing out the Impossible PX680 First Flush colour shade film. I was lucky enough to try out the beta version of this film and I’m liking this even better. The colours are really getting there and I LOVE the effect of a leaving sun upon the sky and skin.

The originals look better than the scans…the crystalised look seems to really show up (especially in the darks) in the scans more so than on the Polaroid itself. I’m looking forward to shooting this film in Australia when I’m there, next month.

What do you think?

Blossoming

Amanda — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 23:18:03 +0000

New Impossible Project (beta test) colour film? Oh, yeah!

Impossible Is Possible

Amanda — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:30:44 +0000

Soft and sweet for ‘Down’ on Words To Shoot By. Often I don’t know where my 3 photographs will take me when I start shooting for Words To Shoot By. Steph Parke is the creator behind this project and once a fortnight, she asks us to shoot 3 images based on one given word. I don’t always contribute, but when I do, I try to do something that’s not so planned out. I enjoy imagining the word and seeing where it takes me. These were shot on the gorgeous Impossible Project PX600 Silver Shade UV+ film which is my favourite of all their films so far. I love the creamy tones and the subtleties in the variations of lightness and dark.

Speaking of Impossible Project films, this weekend, the Impossible team gave us a sneak peek at their newest film, Impossible PX680 which is a colour film made for 600 cameras. It was such a joy to see my twitter feed flooding with new photos taken with the film. My girl Jen has knocked it out of the park with these shots of her cherubs, as has Azuree Wiitala with these babies. If you take a look through the pool, you will see strong tones and some colours that rival those of the beloved Time Zero film of the past- check out the colour of skies! This film looks very promising and I’m most looking forward to not needing the use of my shielding contraption. Apparently it doesn’t need to be shielded like the more sensitive films they have released so far.

The film is still in beta mode and is being tweaked for a better release in June. I cannot wait.

Don’t forget to stop by Words To Shoot By to see all the artists’ contributions this week.

Polaroid Kind Of Day

Amanda — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:36:31 +0000

Hello Mocking Bird readers….this Polaroid girl is out in full force today with a little more PX 600 film coming at you. I love how the tones of this film are so varied with different light. The first ghostly shot was taken outdoors on a very cold day under cloud cover but with sun peeking through, while the second was taken indoors on a cloudy day with window light.

Even with the harsh cold elements, the film was still able to produce the top image. I use my protective cardboard device ( attached to my camera oh so elegantly with sticky tape) to shield the film when it ejects from the camera. All my shots have turned out since using it, so I’ll be sticking with it for now. This roll was taken on my SLR680 which is designed for 600 films, but I might try the next one in my SX70 with an ND filter.

I am absolutely loving experimenting with these new films. Anyone who has been on the fence about buying a Polaroid camera because of the film situation, should listen to me now and go out and buy one. This film will give you the chance to test out your Polaroid skills and allow you to feel like you’re creating something magical again.

Thank you to Anne and The Impossible Project for sending some film my way. It is very much appreciated!

The Impossible Project’s PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ Film

Amanda — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:00:44 +0000

So I just dropped in to to say hi and to tell you to go get some Impossible Project PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ film. I’ve just tested my first pack and I am smitten. It has me so excited about the future of instant film and improvements are still coming. Apart from the little mushroom at the top of the shot and a couple of teeny white dots, every shot I’ve taken so far has turned out without any problems. And the tones, oh the tones. The sepia look of the original film is gone, and we now have a truer black and white that is just so beautifully creamy. I am SOLD! I’ll be adding more of my shots to flickr, but also keeping some for the book, so you’ll have to wait for those.

*****

I am so excited about all the people who have taken Twelve on board and have joined the group on Flickr. It’s such a delight to see so many gorgeous photos in the pool already. You guys are awesome!

Lastly…I am super excited because ANTHROPOLOGIE is coming to Vancouver this year! I am one very happy lady.

Alrighty, Pola camera users, go get some of that film!!

The Impossible Project’s PX70 Colour Film

Amanda — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:00:35 +0000

The latest instalment in the ever evolving instant film parade from The Impossible Project hit the shelves last week. I received my first batch of PX70 Colour Shade on Friday and have been playing around with it all week.

Before even opening the pack, I did a fair amount of research on The Impossible Project’s website and on flickr. This new colour film works in SX70 and 600 Polaroid cameras. Being that it is the “first flush”, it is not meant to be perfect. The Impossible Project want us to test out this film and to give them feedback.

“The PX 70 First Flush is still an experimental product and even though we did our very best to develop, produce and test this material with all our love and understanding, we are now dependent on your honest feedback, support, creativity and all your analog passion to help us learn about this product and to continuously improve it.”

Taken from The Impossible Project PX70 Colour Shade guide.

That said, I use these first flush films to experiment and see what lighting conditions work best. I don’t try and create masterpieces with the first pack. It’s about learning how to use and manipulate the film to get the best results.

In the second fan shot, I used a filter over the top of my film pack. I’m not sure what the snake skin blotches are. (EDIT: Already these blotches are fading on the originals)

When I first shot the PX70 film, it appeared to have large blue spots on the image. However, when I checked it a little later, the spots had completely disappeared. This film seems to really settle into itself over time. My first two shots were taken indoors with window light and they turned out too light and without much depth. I wanted to try it without a shade to begin as some people have had success without shading the film instantly. My next shots I used a shade to cover them up straight away.

Unfortunately, I haven’t had much success with my first 2 packs. I found that outdoors was too bright yet indoors was too dark, even by window light. I made sure that I shielded my film as soon as it ejected from the camera but I do find that tricky. I love this little nifty shade idea for protecting your instant film from the light. I think I will fashion one and give that a go.

I have no idea what went wrong here but I kinda like it anyway.

These photographs were all scanned on the same day that they were taken. Other shots that I took did improve with age! I’m only half way through my 2nd pack, so there is still a lot of learning to do.

The Impossible Project have put a lot of effort into giving us tips on how to use and manipulate the film for best results. You really need to read the website to understand how to properly use the new film. It’s not too tricky, but important if you want good results.

The Impossible Project are giving you the opportunity to be a future film tester. They are asking for your best PX 70 Colour shot, upload it on the site and you could be chosen as one of 20 photographers who will test out future colour films. You have until August 16 to upload your image.

Have you tested it out yet? What are your first impressions?

Fuji Instax Come Hither

Amanda — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:02:52 +0000

Polaroid happiness is upon me right now as two exciting little packages have arrived in the past few days. Not only do I have some packs of Impossible Project Colour Shade film, but the postman just dropped off my new Fuji Instax mini camera and film.

I have written a post on the Impossible Project film but am still doing my initial tests, so stay tuned for that hopefully later in the week. I will also be getting out with my Instax as soon as this weather clears up a little. A month of sunshine and the rain starts to pour the day my new toys arrive? Typical!

You may ask why someone like me who loves Polaroid cameras would buy a Fuji Instax. Believe me, I held off for a long time. However, I’ve recently seen some really amazing photographs shot with the Instax and they have inspired me to give it a go.

I also realise that there is more to the world of instant photography than what once was and I need to embrace it rather than balk at the idea without finding out its capabilities myself. I’m excited to use this new camera and hopefully can figure it out to shoot some Instax for the book.

************

Link Love

The Gypsy Girl’s Guide has a fresh new look. GGG creator Alessandra Cave is about to have a bubba and she has enlisted some guest posters for the coming weeks. Stay tuned for a guest post from me.

A short film by Toast shot in Italy.

The most beautiful story I’ve read in a long time.

How gorgeous is this proposal?

Lastly…the greatest thing I’ve been listening to is Sprawl ll from The Suburbs by Arcade Fire. The whole album is brilliant but this song is my personal fave. I love it so much that I sent it to my Mum and said “listen!” She played it 3 times in a row upon hearing it for the first time. I love my mum.

How To Use a Polaroid Camera Part ii

Rainbow Polaroid Cameras at Photojojo

Amanda — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 16:38:10 +0000

Want to get your hands on a limited edition Rainbow SX-70 OneStep Polaroid Camera? Photojojo to the rescue. The lovely folks from Photojojo have teamed up with The Impossible Project to offer 50 of these bad boys packaged up with 2 packs of sepia toned PX 100 film.

The cameras have been fully refurbished by The Impossible Project and are pretty rare as many of these cameras are not usually in working condition. You can read all about the TIP film that comes in the kit here.

The cameras go on sale today from the Photojojo store. Check out the link to read more about what The Impossible Project have done to restore the cameras and how you can use them with the new film. They’re so pretty!

p.s. Photojojo are also looking for a marketing guru in San Francisco if you’re interested.

The Impossible Project PX100 Film

Amanda — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:00:55 +0000

Dreamy, soft, dark and light, subtle and faint are the words that come to mind when I think of this beautiful new film the Impossible Project gods have granted down upon us.

On Tuesday I briefly met up with the lovely Ashley to pick up my film (she was a doll and went in on a shipment with me) so yesterday was PX film testing day. Of course, Vancouver chose to be rainy and miserable so I only took one shot. I am hoping to do some more tests when the weather clears up.

Overall, I was pretty happy with my first shot as I have read about some rather unsuccessful first tries and was very nervous that it wasn’t going to turn out at all. My advice is to read this and look around the flickr forums for as much information as you can before you shoot.

I thought I would share what I did to achieve this first shot.

I opened the pack inside and inserted it into my SX70 camera with no problems. This was the first time I’ve not had to manipulate the film to get it to fit into the camera. It slid straight in, I closed up the door and out shot the dark slide like magic.

Once I had figured out what my first test subject would be, I set it up near a window with lots of light as it was pretty overcast and grey outside. I had my exposure dial set to the middle, composed my shot and hit the shutter button.

The film ejected and I quickly pulled it out and turned it over.

I covered it with the dark slide and quickly put it in to the pocket of my jeans.

Now this is where I sound like a loon. I then stood in a dark corner with my hand on my butt while the image developed. I must have looked like something out of the Blairwitch Project hovering creepily in the corner. I waited around 2 minutes just to be sure and then took a look at my picture.

I was overjoyed to see a nicely exposed shot when I first glanced upon it. I wasn’t happy with the blurriness but I will hopefully get a chance to try again tomorrow outdoors.

The black spot you can see is because of the dark slide. I didn’t realise at the time but it had a teeny little indented bump which I guess pushed into the film as it was developing.

I think anyone can have a go with this film. You just need to read up on the best conditions for shooting and developing. It will take a while to get to know this first flush, but I get the feeling that we are going to become happy friends.

What do you think of my first go? Have you tried any of the new film yet? I’d love to know about any tricks you have!

EDIT: New tests done today in the sun: Not so great. Sun was shining and I got a totally white overexposed shot.

Went inside with south facing window light and was still over exposed but better.

Tried it a third time with a blind on the same window and it was a little better.

******

Check out my Words To Shoot By and flickr bud Dave Tuttle’s first go- a gorgeous shot of the beautiful Whitney.

This Is What I Want

Amanda — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:00:43 +0000

I want you to buy film from The Impossible Project on Thursday.

I want you to take bundles of Polaroids so that you have piles of them stacked on your shelves.

I want you to watch this.

I want you to look at this and this and this and this. And this one too.

I want you to understand why I am so passionate about this art form.

I want to have Polaroids of my wedding day.

I want my future children to enjoy using the same Polaroid camera that I have used.

I want to see their faces when they see the image appear in front of them like magic.

Thursday is the beginning.

What do you want?