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Welcome back to Dr. Love Tips where Impossible USA’s Camera Resource Manager Frank Love provides insight and advice on how to get the best out of your Polaroid cameras and Impossible film. This week: Box Camera/Spectra Troubleshooting Guide!

After some requests, and many general inquiries, we have created a comprehensive online troubleshooting guide for your box-type and Spectra cameras. Simply bookmark the link, and you can always access the guide from anywhere you have an internet connection.

Read through the guide in its entirety before you begin troubleshooting, but as any problem pops up, you will become more familiar with issues that may arise and how you can resolve them.

The goal here is first and foremost to keep everyone shooting with their cameras, and right after that, it’s to prevent people from wasting their precious film to an inexplicable problem that may be easily remedied.

So with that said, here is the Box Camera/Spectra Troubleshooting Guide. Please feel free to submit questions and feedback on things that may be added or clarified.

As always, Keep your rollers clean,

-f

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Last weekend we were lucky enough to host TWO special events with Italian maestro and analog instant master photographer Maurzio Galimberti at the NYC Space.

During his visit to New York, Maurizio shared his experiences and thoughts on the instant analog medium and on his transition from Polaroid to Impossible films. Some lucky guests were selected as subjects for some of his unique instant mosaic work, and the Impossible team was there to capture a video of the action.

To send him off in style, The NYC Space will host one final event with Maurizio, a farewell pizza party and documentary screening!

Come by The Impossible Project NYC Space on Tuesday the 22nd of May for a one time screening of a wonderful documentary on the photographic life of Maurizio Galimberti. If you missed the chance to meet him earlier this month, now’s your chance to eat pizza and drink some beers with Maurizio himself at this informal event.

MAURIZIO GALIMBERTI DOCUMENTARY & PIZZA PARTY!

WHEN: TUESDAY, MAY 22ND, 2012 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: Impossible Project NYC Space, 425 Broadway, 5th Floor Between Howard & Canal Street
FREE and open to the public!

Photo by Kisha Bari

Master an Iconic Tool in the History of Analog Photography!

The Impossible Project NYC Space is excited to welcome back a classic workshop on the most celebrated of Polaroid cameras, the SX-70. On Sunday, May 20th, the Impossible team will host a three hour interactive workshop on maximizing Impossible film in the Polaroid Sx-70 Camera. Our introductory workshops are designed to give you the confidence you need to let your imagination run wild! We’ll discuss the features of the SX-70 camera and focus on shooting techniques to ensure you achieve the best results out of the newest Impossible films available.

Photo by Adam Custins

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Last week at the NYC Space we had our first ever Analog Feedback Night. Impossible photographers and enthusiasts gathered to discuss their images in an informal open table discussion. The night was a warm gathering of like minded individuals and an excellent way for people to meet other passionate Impossible photographers. We discussed shooting methods, differences in film types, and the advantages and disadvantages of shooting analog instant film in various settings. Adam Custins came in with his portfolio and talked about how he integrates instant film into his commercial work. Dave Knapik was preparing for an art exhibition (up now!) and requested input about framing and presentation methods. We also had some great imagery shown by Josie Keefe, Patrick Tobin and Wendy Strauss.

Analog Feedback Night will be a reoccurring event at our space. If you miss those art school class critiques or just want to discuss other people’s work while getting feedback on your own, come to the next Analog Feedback night on May 31st!

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series! This week, we bring you polaroid portrait wizard Luciano Noble…

Q1) What kind of Polaroid camera(s) do you use?

A: I use two Polaroid cameras, a Polaroid SLR 680 and an SX-70. I’ve got loads in my apartment, but they’re decorative more than anything else. I’ve gone through my packfilm period, my simple Polaroid period, used a Big Shot for a bit. But there’s just nothing like the SX-70 and its kin that fits me better, the amount of control I like, the quality I require, the form factor, hell, even the little noises the motors make in the SLR 680, that there is music to my ears.

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

A: I love it because it’s utterly unique. Unique in the pictures that are created, in the interactions using such strange cameras creates between you and your subject, unique in the palette, in the creation of a physical artifact. I’ve been using Polaroid since 1996, it’s been with me for, well, for the majority of my life. Polaroid is responsible for my love of photography.

And it’s not really about film, it’s about Instant film. It’s about having it immediately, about creating this little piece of work that you made mere moments ago, and having it in your hands, showing the person you photographed what you saw, that this picture right here is how I see you.

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For the more adventurous of analog enthusiasts, The Impossible Project NYC space held its first ever Manipulations Workshop last Sunday March 26th.
Workshop coordinator Kisha Bari presented a brief history on various manipulation techniques before delving into the wonders of Impossible integral film manipulation, negative bleaching and emulsion lifts. Working with all kinds of Impossible film types, the attending photographers could have stayed all day creating brilliant works of art using all three techniques. 
Check out the photos from Sunday’s Manipulation Crafternoon, and keep an eye out for more workshops at the NYC Space every month!

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This week, Impossible USA’s Camera Resource Manager Frank Love explains the importance of caring for your camera’s rollers…

The all important rollers, and why you need to keep them clean. The rollers in your camera are a vital and often overlooked part of instant photography. The condition of the rollers will directly affect any image that comes from your camera.

The rollers that are on every Polaroid Camera, however old or new it is, large or small, one film type or another, they are what make the ‘magic’ of instant film possible. The rollers are what the film passes through to initiate the development of the film and print. Every piece of instant film from Polaroid to Impossible, of all sizes, has two main components that make it all work…

Emulsion Lift

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Announcing a brand new addition to the ever-growing Impossible Workshop Series! On March 25th, 2012, The Impossible Project Space NYC will host its first workshop on alternative techniques in analog instant image making. The workshop will cover three techniques: image manipulation, emulsion lifts and negative bleaching. These classic procedures are revived by Impossible materials, revitalizing techniques that have been lost with the extinction of certain film types. These techniques will give you the freedom to play with your images, allowing you to expand your skill set to create distinctive works of art through experimentation. Participants can expect to work in a small group with an expert Impossible team member to learn and create together!

• When: Sunday, March 25, 2012, 10am to 1pm
• Where: Impossible Project Space NYC
• Registration: (212) 219 3254
or nycspace@the-impossible-project.com 
• Fee: $75 (includes 1 pack PX 680 Color Shade and all tools necessary for workshop)

Perfecting Impossible Techniques with a Classic Camera!

Back by popular demand, The Impossible Project is pleased to announce the return of The 600 Workshop at the NYC Space! On Sunday, March 11, the Impossible team will hold a three-hour interactive tutorial on getting the best out of the classic Polaroid 600 camera and Impossible’s film range. The workshop is designed to explore the full potential and versatility of any 600 series camera, including personal tricks you’re not likely to learn anywhere else! Workshop participants will then be guided on an interactive photo walk with one of Impossible’s experienced staff photographers, exploring and capturing the richly photogenic cusp of SOHO, Chinatown and Little Italy. We’ll finally re-convene back at the space to discuss images, ask questions and talk about image preservation techniques.

WHEN: SUNDAY, MARCH 11, 2012, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
WHERE: Impossible Project Space: 425 Broadway, 5th Floor, Between Howard & Canal Streets
REGISTER: nycspace@theimpossibleproject.com or +1 212 219 3254
Please notify when registering if renting a camera at no extra cost!
FEE: US$ 50 (price includes 1 pack PX 680 Color Shade FF & Frog Tongue)

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The Impossible Project is thrilled to announce a partnership with Holden Outerwear to celebrate 10 years of creative and cutting edge outerwear. Holden is proud to support Impossible on their mission to bring analog instant photography back to life by offering limited edition Holden X Impossible camera kits, which will include a Holden customized and refurbished vintage SX-70 Polaroid camera, Holden X Tanner Goods leather camera case, and a custom Holden X Impossible co-produced instant film and filter presented in a custom wooden box.

To activate this collaboration, Holden chose 10 well known photographers to use Impossible film to shoot and capture their vision of an independent lifestyle through instant photography…

The Polaroid SLR 680 camera was first introduced in 1982, and was the only SLR ever produced for 600-series film*. It utilizes the same sonar autofocus technology as the 100-speed SX-70 Time Zero Autofocus models but also features a built-in electronic flash. The flash reflector even tilts to accommodate focal distance.

The SLR 680 sports a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens with a minimum focal length of 10.4 inches. It has an aperture range from f/8- f/22. Manual focus is possible via an override switch above the focusing wheel. The camera features a socket for a remote shutter release and also has a tripod socket and lugs for a neck strap.

The SLR 680 is compatible with any of the Impossible Project 600-series film, including PX 680 Color Shade First Flush film and PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ Black Frame film

The Impossible Project NYC Space will host it’s Bi-annual Sample Sale on January 28th and 29th, featuring all day bargains only available in store. On this very special weekend, analog enthusiasts are invited to dig through our boxes of seriously discounted Impossible stock! This includes 600 Cameras from $15, Spectra system cameras from $25, discounted film, rare accessories, limited edition prints, art books, and our famous Impossible Bruch film bags, including matured film mix 5 & 10 packs for 600, Image/Spectra and SX-70 cameras!

5 Pack (for $55!) & 10 Pack (for only $99!) Film Bundles of everyone’s favorite Impossible film types, including:

PX 600 ’06 TWIN PACKS
PX 600 UV+ (Japan edition)
PX 680 (manufactured 08/11)
PX70 PUSH! (manufactured 08/11)
PX 70 Triple Packs

If you’ve been waiting for an opportunity to visit the NYC Space now is the perfect time!

As one of the few and privileged Impossible “Partner Store Plus” spaces in the USA, our friends at Aperture Tremont are hosting their first workshop ever, offering you an exclusive perspective on new Impossible films, tricks and tips.

During this hands-on workshop they’ll be covering techniques of working with Impossible film and vintage Polaroid cameras. The workshop will be ran by Aperture owner and photographer, Scott Meivogel, plus Cleveland Polaroid expert, Tim Logan. Tim shot for our One Hundred Impossible Portraits event last year, with fantastic results!

Finally, 1/3 of the workshop will be spent photographing two live models dressed in perfect vintage attire. Participants are guaranteed to leave with photographs that’ll knock their socks off, taken with the latest Impossible film! If you have your own Polaroid camera, please feel free to bring it. If not, they’ll have loaner cameras for you to use while you’re there.

Registration is $39.99 and includes a pack of Impossible film as well as refreshments. Registration can be completed by calling 216-574-8977, or purchasing on Aperture’s website HERE.

The good doctor.

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Another topic we got requests for was when the mirror in the camera gets stuck up out of place or mid cycle for one reason or another. This can often be recognized by a black VF and a camera that won’t close all the way.

There’s actually a couple tricks to getting your mirror back in place. If your camera is empty and you have an empty pack, you can try to put that in the camera and fire it a few times, or put the pack in, pull it out, back in, out a couple of times letting it cycle each time you close the door. This may get the camera back into the proper rhythm of things so that when you put a full pack in, everything is where it should be for proper operation to take pictures.

More after the jump…

The good doctor.

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We put out the question to you all about what kinds of tips you all would like to hear. One topic we heard several times was about cleaning and maintenance of your folding SX-70 and SLR 680 cameras.

There are a few simple things you can do to help keep your cameras running well and looking good. Now not to sound like a broken record, but I again cannot stress keeping your rollers clean. You can refer back to our Door swapping post about how to get the door off your camera to make cleaning easier and safer. Then you can go back to our first video with Dave about cleaning rollers for how to do this.

After that you can keep the inside of your camera clean with a can of compressed air or an air blower some of you may have for keeping lenses clean which can help keep dust out of the film compartment of the camera (more after the jump!).

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The Impossible Project NYC Space Advent Deals continue this week! Here are the details:

DAY 12: Buy 4 packs of PZ 680 and get a free set of impossible buttons
DAY 13: 2 double packs of flash bars for $30 (25% off)
DAY 14: Buy 4 packs of PX 70 and get a FREE pack of 5 Vintage SX-70 Christmas cards.
DAY 15: Buy 4 packs of any impossible film get a free frog tongue!
DAY 16: Buy 2 packs of PX 600 UV+ and get a free dry age kit!
DAY 17: Buy any camera and get a free camera case
DAY 18: Buy a spectra camera kit and a triple pack of pz 680 for $195 (24% discount)
More after the jump…

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This past Sunday, The Impossible Project celebrated the meticulous art of the Instant Photogram with Patrick Winfield ! Although mastering Patrick’s techniques proved to be quite challenging, workshop attendees worked diligently in the pitch dark to craft wonderfully surprising photograms of their favorite objects. After giving an inspiring history of the photogram, Patrick took the class through a series of integral steps in making photograms possible. Using jewelry, toys, cassette tapes, colored filters and many other assorted items, attendees took turns in a blacked-out NYC Space with only a pack of opened film, a flashlight and their newly acquired skills.

As you can see from our blog’s gallery, the results were fantastic! Thank you to all who participated and to Patrick Winfield of course! We hope he returns very soon to lead another workshop filled with more secret techniques.

Feel free to sign up for our weekly newsletter to always stay up to date on everything Impossible. Call 212-219-3254 or email nycspace@the-impossible-project.com for more info.

By popular demand, The Impossible Project is pleased to announce the return of The Spectra Workshop at the New York Space.
On Sunday, December 11th, the Impossible NYC space will hold a three-hour interactive tutorial on getting the best out of the Polaroid Spectra camera and the Impossible film range.

This workshop is designed to explore the Spectra camera’s full potential and versatility, including an outline of all the camera’s unique accessories and attachments. We will cover in detail all that The Impossible Project film has to offer, including shielding techniques, temperature control and identifying and managing each film type’s unique characteristics.

Workshop participants will then have the opportunity to explore all the photogenic wonders of SOHO, Little Italy and Chinatown with two of Impossible’s experienced staff photographers and then re-convene back at the space to discuss images, ask questions and talk about image preservation techniques.

More after the jump…

On Saturday, December 3rd, from 5pm-6:30pm, artist Patrick Winfield will appear in person at The Impossible Project Space NYC to present a brief slideshow history of The Photogram. Then, using Impossible instant film material, he will demonstrate his own distinctive techniques to create photograms similar to the ones pictured here.

Attendees will be supplied with one pack of Impossible color film, a Polaroid 600 camera, flashlights, transparencies and colored gels. You’re welcome to bring your own photogram objects also! Each participant will get 10% off any store purchase the night of the class.

Don’t miss this very rare opportunity to be involved in an exclusive interactive class by one of the world’s leading instant artists!

More after the jump…

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Welcome to a new feature on the Impossible Blog: 8 Exposures. We’ll be asking artists and photographers 8 questions revolving around photography, especially instant photography. Also included will be 8 Impossible images submitted by the featured artist.

Our inaugural edition of 8 Exposures focuses on Charlie Wagers, an Ohio-based graphic designer, art director and illustrator, and a founding member of Three Bears Design.

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

A: I have a vintage folding SX-70 that I prefer to use, in addition to a bunch of old thrifted 600 cameras. I like the SX-70 because I can use 600 films in it, with a filter. And it folds up nicely, which makes it easy to carry around with me.

2) Q: Why do you like instant photography?

A: I always prefer analogue photography to digital. I most commonly photograph with 120 films in my Holga, so using instant cameras is a treat to see the photos within minutes. I especially appreciate the colors and new effects that come with using Impossible’s film types.

(More after the jump!)

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Photography is a magical thing.

A camera in its most basic form, the pinhole camera represents the roots of photography. This historic process that reminds us that photography is a medium where all you need is a box, film, and a good eye. Subject to extreme variation and unpredictability, pinhole photography is a process that highlights the anomalies of experimentation. Worldwide pinhole photography day is this April the 24th. Share your love for the process by posting your unique pinhole images from pinhole day on the worldwide pinhole photography website here

To help you celebrate, our special polaroid pinhole cameras are 15% off. Hand crafted by Arunas Kulikauskas, these cigar box pinholes are a beautiful addition to any well seasoned camera collection. Stop by or call the New York Space to pick one up.

To celebrate our country’s forefathers, we at the Impossible NYC Space are hosting sales all week long! We’ll be announcing the sales every morning, and announce each sale on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Sales will then be catalogued here:

Monday, Feb. 21 – PZ600 UV+ for $20/pack
Tuesday, Feb. 22 – 10% off all in-stock Polaroid cameras
Wednesday, Feb. 23 – Type 100 Chocolate film $15/pack
Thursday, Feb. 24 – Polaroid Spectra/Image film $20/pack
Friday, Feb. 25 – 15% off all books, bags and accessories

More after the jump…

Our fleet of lovely vintage Sx-70’s were featured in this week’s New York Magazine’s gift guide. They recommend the cameras as a great gift for the special gentleman or lady in your life, and we couldn’t agree more! Show your honey your love for them and vintage photography with this classic camera. Stop by the store to pick one up, and ensure that this valentine’s day is one to remember, instantly.

This short video gives you a list of common problems to look out for when buying a vintage SX 70 online or at a flea market. Frank explains how to visually check to make sure the camera is in working order; he lists the most frequent problems and what to ask the seller to ensure you are buying a quality camera.