Hello, friends! We hereby present you with another entry in our instant film Q & A series, 8 Exposures. This week, we profiled California photographer Kristen Perman…
1) Q: What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?
A: My favorite camera is my SLR 680. I actually have two of them, both in a delicate state from being dropped. I also love my Spectra camera, gifted to me by a good friend, who found it by her apartment dumpster in Philly. It’s clear, so you can see all the inner workings and it has proven to be a great conversation starter.
2) Q: Why do you like instant photography?
A: Instant photography taught me how to frame a photo and of course, to slow down. I’ve learned that the first shot is always the best, even if that first shot is not the best or your favorite.
3) Q: What is your earliest memory of instant film?
A: We always had a Polaroid camera around. There are random family photos throughout my childhood proving its existence even though I don’t remember it much.
4) Q: What’s your favorite Impossible film type?
A: I love PX 680 Color Shade right now, especially the Gold Frame Edition.
5) Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: I love to shoot at the beach and I love to shoot on the street. I’m inspired by architectural details and by the colors here in Los Angeles. I’m a sucker for shop windows and who doesn’t love a good still life soaked in light?
6) Q: Tell us about a project you’re working on.
A: I just finished shooting all twenty-one of the California missions with my Spectra and it’s a beautiful project. I really want to push through feeling shy and finish my 100 strangers project. I find that shooting a polaroid portrait is easier because my camera gives me a way to break the ice.
7) Q: Who are your favorite photographers, instant or otherwise?
A: Right now, I’m completely enamored with the work of Wallace Berman after finding a book on his work in a museum bookstore. And always my self portrait heroes, Francesca Woodman and Cindy Sherman.
8) Q: If you could take an photo of anyone or anything what would it be?
A: I would love to take two polaroid portraits: Cindy Sherman and Kristen Wiig.
Thank you for taking part in 8 Exposures, Kristen! To see more of Kristen’s work, please visit her Flickr Photo Stream.
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