en

Please choose:

Language

Page only available in English

July 2012

1
No. 486

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 9

Patrick Tobin, | 327 days ago

Photo by Hannah Bryant

Hello again, Impossible fanatics. Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 tasty images that caught our eye over the course of the week.

This week’s selections provide a burst of color to get your Sunday started right. Images were taken by Hannah Bryant, Jodie Hurt, Ralf-Jürgen Stilz, Drew Hoffman and Marion Lanciaux.

…using the following film types: PX 70 Cool, PX 70 12/11 batch and PX 680

Keep shooting, friends! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

2
No. 487

8 Exposures...with Philippe Bourgoin

Patrick Tobin, | 326 days ago

Portrait of Phillip, © Frenchcockpit 2011

Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you French photographer and author Philippe Bourgoin…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

The Polaroid cameras I most use are the SX-70 and the 600 SE.

In my usual rig, I also always carry a Hasselblad 503cx with a Pola back. My second best camera is a Holga with a Pola back, for specific projects, or to bring along at polameets at our usual waterhole in Paris.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

As a portraitist and a photographer of female nudes, I work on a one to one relationship with the models (no assistant, no MUA). Intimacy is a given.

When the first couple of test shots eject and develop, the idea of the picture I want to make becomes flesh, it can be touched, it’s alive: instant photography is all about sharing.

Trust rises: a “not so good” picture can be thrown right out the window, and I obviously can’t pretend that it’s going to look good when it comes back from the lab (and after two hours of Photoshop)…Flaws show right up…No lies, no disguise, we take it from there.

Read all
No. 488

Ace Hotel x Impossible feat. in "Taken by Surprise" Book

Marlene Kelnreiter | 326 days ago

Our unique collaboration with fabulous Ace Hotel New York is featured in a brand new book by German publishing house Gestalten: Taken by Surprise: Cutting-Edge Collaborations between Designers, Artists, and Brands.

Taken by Surprise highlights the best works of sophisticated collaboration in recent times, and presents Ace Hotel x Impossible next to examples such as Julian Schnabel and Maybach, Sagmeister and Levi’s, Olafur Eliasson and BMW, Terry Richardson and Colette as well as other innovative work by the likes of Damien Hirst, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea or David Lynch.

The Ace Hotel x Impossible collaboration features a special and limited PX 600 Silver Shade film, a refurbished Polaroid camera as well as the gallery show 24 Hours at Ace – currently on display at The Impossible Project Tokyo until July 8.

4
No. 489

Viewfinder: Amanda Jasnowski in Europe

Patrick Tobin, | 324 days ago

Hello Viewfinder followers! Welcome back to our feature that celebrates interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we’re happy to bring you Impossible shots from Amanda Jasnowski recent trip to England and France…

In mid-may I spent two magical weeks with loved ones exploring a new (to me) land. In England: Seaford, London. In France: Paris. Two weeks was not nearly enough time, but it was certainly better than none.

In England there was a lot of walking, everyday. There were the green rolling hills of the countryside and the brilliantly yellow fields spreading across the landscape. There were also delicious home cooked meals in the lovely Parkinson household. Visits to Lewes, Brighton and Eastbourne. The history in those towns and the architecture was surreal. Endlessly beautiful! I was also able to finally meet two photo-enthusiast friends living in London for a very victorious and fun photo-walk!

In Paris there were beautiful train rides, lots of coffee and good bread. We stayed with my great aunt and uncle. It was really good to see…

Read all
No. 490

8x10 Lego Camera + Impossible 8x10 Test Film

Marlene Kelnreiter | 324 days ago

JUL 7, 2012
2-5pm
BMW Guggenheim Lab
Schönhauser Allee 176
10119 Berlin
map

There is not only our team around but also many other people who are trying to make the impossible possible in one way or the other. One of them is Jens Werlein – he is building cameras out of Lego!

For the BMW Guggenheim Lab he built an 8×10 camera, during the workshop in Berlin he will use it along with Impossible 8×10 film. Make sure to attend this great experiment or stay tuned to our or Jens’s blog.

5
No. 491

The SX-70 Workshop Returns to the Impossible NYC Space

Josie Keefe | 322 days ago

July 15th, 2012
10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Impossible Project NYC Space
map

The Impossible NYC Space is delighted to present the return of our classic SX-70 camera workshop on Sunday, July 15th from 10 AM to 1 PM. The iconic SX-70 camera has become a rare vintage treasure, and is now revived to a new vibrancy with the release of Impossible Project COOL films.

This fully interactive workshop will explore the features of the SX-70, with a focus on shooting techniques and achieving the best results from the new Impossible films. We’ll cover topics ranging from shielding techniques to temperature control to identifying and managing each film type’s unique characteristics.

You will have the opportunity to shoot in and around our NYC space, located on the cusp of Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown, and then display and discuss your images before learning about image preservation techniques.

The workshop is priced at $50 and will include one pack of Impossible PX 70 COOL film, a PX Shade, and free camera rental if necessary. All students will also receive 10% off anything in the store on the day of the event. Limited places are available so call to reserve your spot today!

To register for this workshop, please call us toll-free at 212-219-3254 , 11am-7pm EST or email nycspace@theimpossibleproject.com.

6
No. 492

Impossible hires a PHOTOSYSTEMS ENGINEER

Factory Team | 322 days ago

Impossible has an opening for a Photo systems engineer. The position is located at Impossible’s production location in Enschede, The Netherlands. At this site we have a team of around 35 people, that produces Impossible’s instant film product and works on R&D. The atmosphere in the team is informal.

The photo systems engineer position will support Impossible’s drive to continiously improve the photograpic characteristics of their products. A self-motivated, hands-on and persistent engineering approach is necessary to find the optimum combination of the photographic components and make improvements to the system where possible.

YOUR TASKS
You report to the Quality manager. You’re responsible for the photographic quality of our film products. You select optimum combinations of photographic components for manufacturing. You perform measurements on photographic quality of film products. You conduct experiments and tests changes in component recepies. You collect and evaluate testdata from suppliers and factory experiments. You are a part of the R&D team

YOUR PROFILE
You have a Bachelor Degree in a technical field (preferably chemistry) and a passion for instant photography. You have good verbal and written language skills in English and preferable Dutch and German. You are able to interface with various personnel in different levels of skills, knowledge and experience. You are accurate, self-motivated, hands-on and persistent. You have a critical view on quality.

Please send your letter and resume until July 27 latest
to Nico Dikken n.dikken@the-impossible-project.com. or call him at +31(0)53 4848660 for additional info.

No. 493

8 Exposures...with Kim Oberski

Patrick Tobin, | 322 days ago

Greetings, instamaniacs. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This entry brings you Michigan photographer and good Impossible friend Kim Oberski…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I primarily use a Polaroid SX-70 original but have recently added a modified Polaroid 110a with integral and pack film backs. Also on the camera shelf: Mamiya RB67 with integral film back, Polaroid rainbow onestep (which was my Grandmother’s), Polaroid 210 (what my mom used 40-some years ago), a Spectra, and a variety of Polaroid 600s.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I love how instant film has taught me to let go of trying to make an image “perfect.” Sure a divot shows up, one of the chemical pods streaks, or the image is slightly out of focus; it doesn’t matter because those can be the very imperfections which make the image perfect.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

I don’t have an exact memory of when I first remember instant film, it seems instant film/cameras have always been around me somehow. Growing up, every time I looked in the coat closet, I remember seeing…

Read all
7
No. 493

The Camera Museum: Polaroid's "The Button"

Patrick Tobin, | 321 days ago

In the late 1970s, Polaroid began to manufacture plastic-bodied non-folding cameras for their SX-70 film, as an alternative to the more expensive folding SX-70s. Numerous iterations of these “OneSteps” appeared through the early 80s, with slight design variations and features. “The Button” is one of those iterations.

Like the other rigid plastic SX-70 OneStep models, The Button had a single-element plastic lens, fixed focus, electronic shutter, programmed auto exposure and a socket for flashbars or electronic flash attachments. What makes The Button unique is its two-toned grey coloring and stylized “The Button” typeface.

The Button works with any of Impossible’s SX-70 films which can be purchased HERE

To see a user manual for SX-70 box-type cameras like The Button, click HERE and HERE

8
No. 494

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 10

Patrick Tobin, | 320 days ago

Photo by Matteo Varsi

Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 tasty images that caught our eye over the course of the week.

For this week’s selections, we paid another visit to the Impossible Sample Gallery, where users the world over can submit their own images captured on Impossible film. As last week’s Sunday Brunch revolved around colorful images these shots celebrate the cool monochrome magic that is possible with our Silver Shade films.

Images come from Matteo Varsi, Giulio Speranza, Kouis, Katy Maziarz and David Dalglish, and were taken with the following Impossible film types: PX 100 UV+, PX 100 Cool, PX 600 UV+ and PX 600 Cool.

Keep shooting, friends. And be sure to submit to the Impossible Sample Gallery! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

9
No. 496

8 Exposures...with Kat White

Patrick Tobin, | 319 days ago

G’day from Impossible, and welcome back to 8 Exposures! This week, we’re happy to bring you one of our favorite Aussies, graphic designer/photographer Kat White…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

My favourite two cameras are my Automatic 180 and my SX-70 Original.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

The characteristics of expired film, and the fact that it’s permanent and tangible.

I love seeing the reaction of passersby, in awe of a seemingly old camera still getting used. And even better when someone stops you to tell you they had a camera just like it!

I also love how passionate the instant/polaroid community is. About the cameras, the film, and always willing to share and collaborate their tips.

Read all
No. 497

Analog Feedback Night Recap

Josie Keefe, | 318 days ago

by Dave Knapik

New York is full of photographers, but in a city this size it can be easy to feel lost in the shuffle. We created Analog Feedback Night to help build a community of analog instant enthusiasts, and give them a chance to talk about instant imagery in an intimate setting. On the last tuesday of every month, we open our doors to the instant film community, offering our space up so Impossible shooters can gather together to present their recent work on analog instant film to a group of like-minded peers. This informal gathering is modeled after art school critiques – but without the hefty tuition price tag.

This month, we had a great group of photographers, some of whom had attended previous analog feedback nights, and some new faces! Dave Knapik showed some of his NIGO shots. Bruce Fraidowit brought in samples of a new Macro 5 series he shot, using transparency laid over silver foil to create solarizing effects. Elisie Huston brought in more examples from her series of emulsion lifts, experimenting with new and wonderful textured surfaces.
Thanks also to Adam Custins , Frank Bowles , Abigail Smithson and Stixxx for their wonderful contributions also.
Click through the photos to check out a few samples of what we’ve seen, and come to our next Analog Feedback Night on July 31st – from 6-9pm!

No. 498

SNAP! x Impossible Photo Contest - June "Blonde" Winners

Patrick Tobin, | 318 days ago

Photo by Nick Leonard

Hello, friends! We are happy to announce the winners from the first round of our ongoing photo contest in collaboration with SNAP! Magazine. The theme for June was “Blonde”.

Winning images come from Nick Leonard, Peter Plaia, Kim Oberski, Katy Maziarz, Jon Duenas, Scott Meivogel, Sarah Kirkham, Penny Felts, Tyler Tyndell and JW Lalo

The 10 finalists will receive $5 off their next Impossible purchase.

Congrats to Nick Leonard for his Grand prize winning image! Nick will receive a pack of Impossible Film and a mystery prize from Team SNAP!

The theme for July is FEET! Click here for details: https://shop.the-impossible-project.com/l/snapximpossible.

10
No. 494

Take 5 - with the Impossible Factory Team

Factory Team | 318 days ago

NICO DIKKEN

1. What do you do at the Impossible factory?
My official title is management & operational assistant and I’m more or less “the cement between the stones” here. I have a multi-functional job and most of the time I’m assisting the managing team and doing administrative work. And because of my formar experience at our big production machines I sometimes assist at the production department too. I like doing that because I have more variety in my work then and I’m not always sitting behind a desk.

2. How long have you worked for Impossible, how long for Polaroid?
I have worked for our project from the beginning on December 1st in 2008. At Polaroid I started on October 1st in 1973.

3. do you have a question or a message for the people shooting Impossible film?
I do have a message of which I think it’s an important one: DO NOT SHAKE OUR FILM, as suggested in the promotion campaign “shake it like a Polaroid” about 10 years ago. It is a persistent misunderstanding that you have to do that. DO NOT DO THIS. It will cause defects instead of making your image better.

4. What are your hobbies?

My nr.1 hobby is Scuba Diving. I love to go to nice diving places with my friends in the weekends. And when I go on holidays I will look for places where it’s nice underwater too.
Other hobbies are: watching sports (football most of the...Read All

11
No. 499

Viewfinder - "Fin" by Claire Oring

Patrick Tobin, | 317 days ago

Hello, Impossibles, and welcome back to Viewfinder, our series chronicling interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week’s entry focuses on Claire Oring’s “Fin” series…

Be warned when crossing paths with mermaids. They are the most mesmerizing monsters in the sea, seducing your senses with their bewitching beauty. All those who you fall pray to their charms you will quickly meet a horrific end.

The tail was handcrafted from silicon by The Mertailor. He’s a wonderful man who looks like a mix between a pirate and Santa Clause. When picking up the tail we had a long discussion on mermaid folklore. He’s very passionate about what he creates. I wanted to shoot on Impossible film because I love the texture and soft color palette. I wanted them to look like they could be from any era.

Claire wishes to thank her production assistant Jax Partlow and her model, Tess Oakland. To view a behind-the-scenes video of Claire’s shoot, click HERE

12
No. 500

Artist In Residence: Momentum's Peter Plaia

Josie Keefe, | 315 days ago

For the latest installment of Artist in Residence, we check in with Impossible photographer Peter Plaia whose work is currently on view in our New York Project Space as part of our Momentum exhibition. This stunning exhibition of PX100 UV+ and PX70 materials includes some of the richest tones and sharpest contrast yet. Plaia shares his experiences shooting for the exhibition, giving insight into his creative process.

Read all
13
No. 501

Dr. Love's Tips - Shooting Checklist

Patrick Tobin, | 315 days ago

It’s time for another edition of Dr. Love’s Tips, where Impossible USA’s Camera Resource Manager Frank Love provides you with advice on how to get the most out of your Polaroid camera and Impossible film. This week: Shooting Checklist.

Yo, Camera Checklist, one-two, what is this?

Thanks to our Flickr thread looking for suggestions, we got a topic request for a ‘Shooting Checklist’. In effect, something people can use to make sure they have everything set before shooting. I think when it comes to being prepared, there’s more than one ‘list’, there’s the checklist for when you leave the house, and then there’s the checklist you have for every time you take a shot.

Read all
No. 500

"The Polaroid Collection" in Düsseldorf

Marlene Kelnreiter | 315 days ago

until AUG 5
NRW-Forum Kultur und Wirtschaft
Ehrenhof 2
40479 Düsseldorf
Germany
map
by David Levinthal

Until August 5 you still have the chance to see one of the most inspiring exhibitions on analog instant photography at NRW Forum Düsseldorf, Germany, accompanied by a small but beautiful Impossible Pop Up Shop.

The exhibition shows a representative profile of the recently saved, legendary, European part of the Polaroid Collection as well as fresh photographs taken on new Impossible film by artists such as David Levinthal or Nobuyoshi Araki.

Click for all details

14
No. 486

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Sun 650 SE

Patrick Tobin, | 314 days ago

The Sun 650 SE was one of many variations in the simple plastic-bodied 600 camera line.

A basic 600-series camera, the Sun 650 SE features a 116mm single-element plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimal focal length of 4 feet, plus a sliding close-up lens, allowing for photos as close as 2 feet, electronic shutter and a built-in electronic flash. It is similar to the Sun 600 series in design, except for the blue accents on the nameplate and the sliding close-up lens, and the blue button, which often signified a Polaroid special edition.

The Sun 650 SE works with any of Impossible’s 600-speed film. For a complete selection of compatible films, click HERE

To see a user manual for Polaroid 600 cameras like the Sun 650 SE, click HERE

15
No. 505

Chanel

Marlene Kelnreiter | 313 days ago

The Japanese News Blog of Chanel is showing Impossible images with the latest fashion as well as accessories by Oliva da Costa.

Click here to view the complete PARIS-BOMBAY 2011/12 Gallery on Chanel News

No. 506

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 11

Patrick Tobin, | 312 days ago

Photo by Emilie Lefellic

Hello again, Impossible fanatics. Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 tasty images that caught our eye over the course of the week.

This week’s images were taken by Emilie Lefellic, Vitalis Neufeld, Miguel Wan, Rommel Pecson and Ann Suckow McGarry…

…using the following film types: PX 70 Cool, PX 100 UV+ and PX 600 Black Frame

Keep shooting, friends! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

16
No. 507

8 Exposures...with Joep Gottemaker

Patrick Tobin, | 312 days ago

Hello, Impossible friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to present you with a special 8 Exposures featuring one of our biggest fans and greatest friends, Joep Gottemaker…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I mainly use my SX-70 original from 1972. I also own packfilm cameras, a Spectra and SLR 680 camera. I use the Spectra 1200 (with LCD screen) a lot too. The SX-70 goes everywhere with me. If it’s to Paris or just a dog walk, the SX-70 is in my pocket.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I think the main reason is the fact that every Impossible is one of a kind. There is just that special quality to the pictures that no other medium has. Not 35mm or digital, the pictures just have that “magical” color to it.

And the fact that the pictures are instantly pushed in your hands. The sound of the motor, the picture coming out and the development. The thing with Impossible film is that you can’t predict what the picture will turn out like. With old fashioned Polaroid film, you could see the the picture develop before your eyes.

Read all
17
No. 508

Take 5 - with the Impossible Factory Team

Factory Team | 311 days ago

JOS RIDDERHOF

1. What do you do at the Impossible factory?
I’m mostly busy repairing classic Polaroid cameras – there is nearly always something I can do for a sick camera – as well as helping in the warehouse when they are a busy there. Also, when help as an operator on the production floor is needed I’m on the spot!

2. How long have you worked for Impossible, how long for Polaroid?
I started working for Impossible in July 2009, from 1973 – 2008 I was working for Polaroid.

3. Do you have a question or a message for the people shooting Impossible film?
My hint would be to please check and clean your camera’s rollers/spreaders after using one film pack – this truly can stop a lot of problems happening.

4. What are your hobbies?
My hobbies are looking after my fish pond and the growing and cultivating of palms and other exotic plants.

5. What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is Chinese and Turkish cuisine.

18
No. 508

Viewfinder: Gregory G. Geiger's Farewell Portraits

Patrick Tobin, | 310 days ago

Hello friends, and welcome back to Viewfinder, our series chronicling interesting projects that people are working on that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we present to you a project from Rhode Island photographer Gregory G. Geiger…

About 9 months ago, I was moving to New England and I wanted to do something that would capture those last few moments with my friends in California, before I moved across the country.

The idea was to take a single Black & White Impossible Portrait of each of them and not look at the picture until I made it to Providence. I took each of these with PX 100 UV+ film and a single click of my SX-70, in my empty giant walk-in closet; I used my only remaining desk lamp, an old sheet for a back drop. As each shot was taken I dropped them in an empty film box. I took that box, taped it shut, and packed the whole set in a random final knick-knack box that was loaded into the back of my car and put on a shipping truck the next day.

My car took a month for them to ship to my new place in Providence. When I finally got the stuff out of the trunk a few days later, I finally got to see the pictures I took.

I love that some of the shots are my friends putting on a brave face, or a forced smile, or even the still face with the sadness of that...Read All

19
No. 510

INSTANT NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Kisha Bari, | 308 days ago

Thursday, July 26th
7:00PM - 10:00PM
The Impossible Project NYC Space. 425 Broadway, Lvl 5. New York, NY 10013
map
by Kisha Bari

Next Thursday, July 26th, The Impossible Project NYC Space will present for the first time, it’s SX-70 Night Photography Workshop.

In this advanced technique class, you will have the opportunity to learn the secrets to getting around the SX-70’s automatic exposure restrictions and working with different forms of light. This workshop is based on long exposures and will not cover flash photography, but open your instant world up to night time landscapes and painting with light.

Read all
20
No. 511

8 Exposures...with Micaela Go

Patrick Tobin, | 308 days ago

Welcome back to 8 Exposures, friends. This week in our popular instant film Q&A series, we’re happy to bring you California photographer Micaela Go…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

Recently, I’ve been using an SLR 680 I’ve borrowed from a friend (I’ve gone through 3 already), but I also use my SX-70, ProPack and have picked up a Minolta Instant Pro and hope to use it more often.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Right before all those little compact digital cameras became so ubiquitous, I picked up my first SLR 680. I loved it because it was instant – I could take a photo and have something tangible in my hands within seconds, then see the actual image within minutes. Now, Impossible Project film adds so many more qualities to instant photography that I love. I’m drawn to the unpredictability of the film, and every image is unique. The novelty of having this one image and it being the only one of its kind is remarkable. There’s also the aspect of how ephemeral the images are; watching each exposure develop and seeing how it continues to change after days, weeks, and months is something I find rather exciting.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

I was probably around 12 years old when I found my dad’s old One Step (with film in it!) and I took it with me everywhere. I took pictures of my friends and family mostly (not much has changed since then).

Read all
21
No. 511

The Camera Museum: Polaroid One 600

Patrick Tobin, | 307 days ago

In the early 2000s, Polaroid released one last line of instant cameras, including the One 600. Though similar in function and capabilities, these cameras are sleeker in design, opening and closing in a clamshell fashion.

The One 600 features a 100mm lens with minimum focus distance of 3 feet and a built-in electronic flash. Some models in this line omitted exposure control while others had the addition of a self-timer.

Please note that while it is possible to install the Impossible Frog Tongue in this camera type, it is not as simple as installing in the earlier 600 cameras. You will need small jewelers’ screwdrivers to access the factory frog tongue to remove it. We do not recommend attempting this unless you feel 100% comfortable with taking apart your camera.

To see a user manual for the One 600, please click HERE

The Polaroid One 600 camera works with any of the Impossible 600 films available HERE

22
No. 513

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 12

Patrick Tobin, | 306 days ago

Photo by Andrew Jarman

Greetings, instant explorers! Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 tasty images that caught our eye over the course of the week.

This week, we wanted to get back to nature with a special wilderness-themed edition of Sunday Brunch. Images come to you from Andrew Jarman, Justin Goode, Mark von Minden, Tirolo Orientale and Jeremy Klapprodt.

Photos were taken using the following film types: PX 680 Cool, PX 70 Cool, PX 100 UV+ and PX 70 Nigo edition.

Get out there and keep shooting, friends! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

23
No. 489

8 Exposures...with Steve Maniscalco

Patrick Tobin, | 305 days ago

Greetings, instanteers! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you Arizona’s own Steve Maniscalco…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

I won’t try to get an accurate count…something like 4 SX-70 Alphas, 2 autofocus Model 2 cameras, and 2 SLR 680s. Two of my SX-70 alphas have been converted to shoot 600 film by modifying the auto exposure circuitry. I have several Spectra cameras, including a Macro 5 SLR. Also, 2 Land 250s, a 195, a 180 and a 430. Oh, and a pack film back for a home-made pinhole camera.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I tell people I haven’t got enough patience to wait for digital, and immediacy is certainly part of the equation. I love being able to share the results right away. I often take multiple shots so I can give away one. Putting a physical picture in a child’s hands and watching the reaction is priceless.

Instant photography feels very honest to me. When the picture is taken, you’re done. You can scan it and alter it if you like. You can share the altered version on line or in print…but somewhere, hidden in your attic…

Read all
No. 515

Christmas in July

Josie Keefe, | 304 days ago

Its that magical time of year again! Our annual Christmas in July sample sale returns to the NYC Impossible Project. You’ve waited for months, and now the time has come to stock up on all your Impossible favorites, heavily discounted and priced to move.

Read all
25
No. 516

Viewfinder: Fernanda Montoro's TED Talks Images

Patrick Tobin, | 303 days ago

Welcome back to Viewfinder, our blog series that chronicles interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. For this entry, we are happy to present you with Fernanda Montoro’s Impossible images from TEDxMontevideo…

I am a big fan of TED talks, so I felt very honored when the organisers of TEDx Montevideo commissioned me to work on a TED ‘memory album’ for their upcoming edition. They wanted my personal view on the event, a sort of backstage memoir. The location was a special one too: Teatro Solis, Uruguay’s oldest and most iconic theatre. For all of this, I knew immediately that it had to be shot entirely on IP film.

After talking with Impossible Project’s Anne Bowerman, who is always ready to advise and help whenever I need, we decided that PX 100 for the SX-70 and PZ 600 for the Spectra camera were the perfect films to capture the spirit of the event. They both work really well under low light conditions, and give those crisp, classic black and white tones that we all adore. I also added some IP film I had in my stash, mainly PZ 680 color shade and PX 600 First Flush film.

They all proved to be good choices and I felt immensely happy for being able to capture the incredible and unique energy that surrounds a TED talk on my Polaroid vintage cameras. It was a day full of insight and creativity, surrounded my amazing thinkers, and...Read All

26
No. 517

Artist In Residence: Momentum's Bradley Johnson

Josie Keefe, | 301 days ago

Each month we check in with a few of our favorite artists whose work is currently featured in the NYC project space, to learn about their experience shooting our film. This week we talk to Bradley Johnson, whose beautiful portraits are currently on view in our Momentum exhibition on our north wall.

I was intrigued by the concept of shooting within a theme. I think that it’s interesting to see how each artist interprets the theme. However, momentum was so open to interpretation, that the task of shooting within the theme seemed almost daunting. It could be conceived in so many different ways, but in the end I decided that the film itself, and the spirit of the impossible project personified the momentum theme perfectly.

The film (and the company) has come so far in such a short amount of time. The color palette of the new PX70 film is excellent. It is very reminiscent of the highly coveted expired time zero film. My experience with the film was a little frustrating at first, but I managed to produce some beautiful images through a process of experimentation.

I’ve been asked many times about my process of Polaroid portraiture. I think that it is most important to use good lighting. I’ve found that the best light is natural, and best natural light is bright, yet indirect. I always keep my eye out for the “perfect light”. It often occurs in and around areas with a lot of buildings, because there are...Read All

27
No. 517

8 Exposures...with Balthazar Simões.

Patrick Tobin, | 301 days ago

Greetings from 8 Exposures Land! It’s good to see you again! This week in our instant film Q&A series, we spoke with Balthazar Simões…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

My favorite Polaroid cameras are my SX-70 (of course) and a Polaroid 350. I have a Spectra, too and a Polaroid Studio Express 484 that has 4 lenses and is quite fun.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Because it’s an experience of true magic. Because it’s an instant tangible artifact. Because each image is one-of-a-kind and can’t be reproduced.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

My Grandpa was always the one with the cameras when I was growing up. I can still remember the feeling of watching a polaroid develop when we went to visit my grandparents for Christmas. Most things become less magical as we grow older, but it persists with my experience of instant film. My Grandpa passed away two summers ago and I was recently given all of his cameras. Sadly, he no longer had his Polaroid cameras, but he had quite a few film cameras that I now cherish. One of the cameras still had some film in it, and I just had it developed last week. All the photos were of this vase of tulips.

Read all
28
No. 518

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 Time Zero AF Model 2

Patrick Tobin, | 300 days ago

As many consumers had difficulty with the manual focus on their original SX-70s, Polaroid began producing autofocus models in 1978. The Time Zero Autofocus Model 2, introduced in the early 1980s, differed from the 1978 version only in that the body is plastic instead of chrome-plated. It utilized the same advanced sonar technology.
When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a series of ultrasonic chirps is emitted from an electrostatic transducer located under a plate over the lens. These chirps travel to the subject and bounce back to the camera’s receiver, alerting the camera to the subject’s distance, and the lens is turned on a motor to focus accordingly.

The Polaroid Time Zero Autofocus Model 2 features a 4-element 116mm glass lens, manual or autofocus capabilities, with a minimum focal length of 10.4 inches, electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure and a socket for flashbars or electronic flashes. Another nice feature is a socket for an electrically-actuated remote shutter release.

The Time Zero AF Model 2 works with all of Impossible’s SX-70 films, which can be purchased HERE

To see a user manual for the SX-70 Sonar models, click HERE.

29
No. 520

Impossible's Sunday Brunch - Issue 13

Patrick Tobin, | 299 days ago

Photo by Ashley Saldana

Greetings, friends! Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 Impossible images that made a splash with us over the course of the week.

This week, we’re having a pool party! These cool, refreshing images come to us from Ashley Saldana, Jenny Jo Patton, Dan Meade, Abigail Thompson and Kim Oberski using the following film types: PX 680 Cool and PX 70 Cool.

Keep shooting, friends. And be sure to submit to the Impossible Sample Gallery and the Impossible Flickr Group! Your Impossible moment may end up in a future edition of Sunday Brunch!

30
No. 521

8 Exposures...with Penny Felts

Patrick Tobin, | 298 days ago

Photo by Zia Khan

Hello instanteers, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you Penny Felts, who has produced a series of diptychs, with each representing a different decade of the 20th century…

1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

Most of the time I use SX-70s, an SLR 680, Land Camera 180 and a Holga with a Polaroid back. I also have a 600SE, Reporter, Polaroid Pinhole 80, Polaroid Pathfinder 110A and a Polaroid Big Shot that I use occasionally.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

What can I say, I love instant gratification with blur, softness, magic, and without pixels. It’s pure happiness.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

When I was a kid, my parents bought one of the cheap plastic 600 model cameras, I’m not sure which one, but I remember the first time that I held a polaroid in my hand and watched it develop. I was hooked right then and there.

4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

Right now it is definitely the newest PX 70. I absolutely love the colors. It’s so versatile under different conditions. You can make them really bright, or soft and warm.

Read all