seeking inspiration, wishing to See

Here are my photos from Day 4 of Polaroid Week:





As you can see, I'm a bit low on inspiration these days. I have some ideas that would involve either myself or someone else... but alas, I don't have a timer on the SX70.

When in doubt, photograph one of your vintage cameras. Right. And then throw in a plastic dinosaur (courtesy of Photojojo, actually).

I am pleased with the light and shadows, the focus (on the camera shot), and um, that's it. I need a larger prop to tote around. Like a gnome, maybe? Too kitchy perhaps. I'll think about it. {wait. am i that goofy?}

I have found some polaroid photographers who have seriously impressed me this week. Perhaps made me feel small and crazy for thinking I could take photos at all {i am prone to this sort of behavior/thinking}. I haven't found my niche yet. I'm still learning.

I might add, though, that one of the things I've always found difficult in photography is its tendency toward art and design. I feel that I don't have an "eye" for art or design {or fashion, but that's not what this is about}. Digital photography and photoshop make photography even more about the post-processing "art." How do I learn to do this? I'm not sure what exactly makes a photo wonderful rather than just so-so {although i am usually acutely aware that my photos are in the latter category}.

I love using PX100 and PX600 (and oh, that old Time Zero is what got me wanting to use Polaroid cameras years ago; alas I've never had a pack). I enjoy how those films change reality into something mystical, beautiful, or dreamy, when reality is so mundane. Is it easier to take a photograph when the film does so much work? I find Spectra and 600 film.... less fun. More work.

Photography isn't just about practicing - especially if you aren't sure what others find enticing about photos. Much like many talents - you either have it or you don't. You can certainly learn the technical aspects - but how do you learn to See?

A Few of My Favorite Things

Here are a couple of recent polaroid shots that I took this past week. I feel a bit more comfortable with the Artistic TZ film than the 600 film - in part because I have to remember to put the filter on the film pack. Initially I forgot, and of course, the photo I shot was quite light.






Those two are Artistic TZ film. I just love those chains - who knows how long they've been there? {at least 2 years} At Wilson Park in Chicago there is this beautiful, twisted tree (first photo above). I have never been brave enough to photograph it, because I felt I wouldn't capture it's essence. The photograph isn't perfect, but it makes me happy. {giddy, even}



This is one of my 600 shots - not at all what I'd intended! I've taken three shots so far, and none is very good. This is my favorite, despite it's odd coloring and all. In fact, I'm thinking now that I'd like to photograph my memories with the SX-70. I'm a bit giddy thinking about taking more photographs with film! Yes, I've still been using my digital camera - but mostly to photograph my toddler (he's really too fast for the SX-70 and manual focus).

Ok, I'm off to make dinner. We seem to have come down with season-change colds, and my son (who is speaking VERY loudly behind me) kept me up most of the night. That might also explain why I've felt so forgetful today.

*I have a few more camera bags to post about! I realized that I completely forgot about Etsy sellers - and there are a few interesting options there.

My World, Modified

These are a few of the shots I managed to take with my Polaroid SX-70 Land Camera with Artistic TZ film. I had some difficulties with the camera at first - the picking mechanism was not working, thus the photos not ejecting. It was so upsetting - so much anticipation... waiting for sunny skies, to be alone - only to run outside, snap a shot... noise, then no photo! Thank goodness I found this the next morning.

So, how bad are they? I know they aren't perfect, but to me there is still something magical about them. The top edges have been exposed to light slightly due to the removal (multiple times) of the film pack. Hey, I didn't know what I was doing - what can I say?

What I love about these is how different they are from my reality. None of them came out exactly as I expected. But that's ok. That's what makes life (and polaroid) fun.