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Welcome back to Impossible’s Analog Travelog! In this series, we showcase fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. This entry comes from Derrick Tin who traveled to Christmas Island and brought along some Impossible film…

Born in Canada, grew up in Africa, educated in Europe, worked in the US and now living in Australia, I consider myself a true citizen of this world. Throw into that mix my Chinese heritage and you can perhaps understand my constant desire for travel and exploration.

From trekking the lost ruins of Machu Picchu, to lazying around the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, it never ceases to amaze me just how beautiful our planet is. Christmas Island, a volcanic island covered by tropical rain forrest just south of Indonesia, is a great example of untouched eco paradise waiting to be discovered.

Sir David Attenborough described the Christmas Island crab migration as one of the greatest moments of his career as a wildlife explorer and naturalist and, after coming across another article on this remote island in the Indian Ocean and their famed resident crabs, i decided to pack my cameras and go explore and experience this natural marvel.

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Welcome back to our newest addition to the Impossible Blog: Impossible’s Analog Travelog! In this series, we’ll be showcasing fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. This entry comes from Nicholas Misciagna who traveled to Ethiopia last summer and brought along some Impossible film…

This past summer I had the chance to travel back to Ethiopia. I went with an organization called EFFORT Africa that sponsors children through a local church in Debre Zeyit. My team and I worked with the children and their families in the program teaching them English, math, and the Bible. When we weren’t teaching, we were visiting the homes of the families in the program. I went on a similar trip in the summer of 2009. This time, however, I brought my Polaroid SLR 680 and some Impossible Project PX 680 COOL film with me.

I was in Ethiopia during their winter, yet it was still pretty hot. I was able to properly store my film in a fridge to ensure its longevity. Throughout my trip, I was ready with my SLR 680 and dark slide to capture moments and quickly cover the developing image from the sun to avoid overexposure. I was new to COOL film. I had to figure out how my camera would respond to it. I followed the recommendations on the Impossible website for the light/dark wheel as a starting point. I had to adjust slightly to the harsh sun in Ethiopia and I was set to go. I didn’t need to warm the images as I have done with other versions to improve the colors. Developing them in my bag was a perfect temperature.

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series! This week, we’re happy to bring you British writer and photographer Hilary Clarke…

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

The first camera I bought was a 600, which I still love as it’s so easy to use and takes fantastic images. I’ve also got a Spectra and a folding SX-70 sonar which is fast becoming my favourite. I seem to be building up quite a collection as I’ve just bought a Land 1000, the type of Polaroid I remember best from childhood.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I’m quite shy about approaching strangers to take their photographs, but carrying a Polaroid camera means that people are intrigued and very often will ask me to take their photo! It’s easy to get chatting to people, and they always have memories of Polaroid cameras themselves which they like to share.

I love the variety and depth of the images that can be produced; they sometimes have a lovely dark smokiness that can be quite hypnotic and at other times, the sharpness takes my breath away.

Supporting Around the World in 9 Days with Tiny Collective, we continue our weekly video series featuring Tiny Portland’s Vlad Chirkov (@Vladatat on Instagram).

Celebrating the launch of IMPOSSIBLE’s Instant Lab, Around The World in 9 Days is a touring Instant Lab mobile photography exhibition opening in 9 cities on 9 consecutive days with 10 Tiny Collective members showing a total of 900 unique images all printed directly from iPhones using the Impossible Instant Lab. The tour takes place in New York City, Paris, Los Angeles, Istanbul, Toronto, San Francisco, Dubrovnik, Atlanta and Portland from June 20-28, 2013.

Welcome back to Dr. Love’s Tips, where Impossible USA’s camera resource manager Frank Love provides helpful hints and advice on how to get the absolute best out of your Polaroid camera and Impossible film. This week… 8×10 film: To peel, or not to peel?

Whether ‘tis nobler to peel your film, or to let it cure on its own, this is for each of you to decide.

There is a lot of talk about whether or not you should peel your 8×10 Impossible film, specifically the Silver Shade. This may not seem surprising to many at first, as you may think “hasn’t 8×10 always been peel apart?”, but herein lies the confusion. To be clear, Impossible 8×10 Film is an integral film format, just like SX-70, 600, and Spectra film. The only difference aside from size is that the film comes to you as a separate negative and ‘positive’ sheet, while with the smaller formats, these pieces are already one piece put together.

Photo by Polabeard

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Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, our series in which we share lovely photos taken with Impossible film. We decided to mix up the brunch menu a bit by inviting Impossible friends and photographers to guest curate our Sunday Brunch selections.

Our friend and excellent photographer Lisa Toboz came up with the menu for this week’s “Guest Chef” entry. Please enjoy these tasty photos selected by Lisa!

“Standing at the Creek” by Polabeard

This is a time capsule that could have been taken yesterday or thirty years ago. I love the confidence that the young woman exudes, and the sunshine just on the top of her hair. Stumbling across this photo reminds me of opening an old family album and finding one of a relative you thought you knew, discovering something wonderful and unexpected about her.

“Moreré” by Paula Palleres

I have a soft spot for mirror shots and I love the unusual location for this one. Did the photographer find this mirror while walking in the woods? It’s mysterious and tells a story.

“Sitting on a Dock” by Crystal Benoit

This photo captures the kind of solitude people relish when they don’t often have it. I like how the woman’s bag is resting behind her on the dock, suggesting a pause in a long journey.

“The Great Escape” by Tiffany Vecchietti

This is simply a gorgeously composed photo reminiscent of fairytales.

“Perfect” by Mandy

I love the clean composition here: the focus on the hands, the shallow depth of field. The peek of stark wrist tattoo contrasting with the...Read All

Photo by Nicolas Darphin

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Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, our series in which we share lovely photos taken with Impossible film. We decided to mix up the brunch menu a bit by inviting Impossible friends and photographers to guest curate our Sunday Brunch selections.

Our good friend and excellent photographer Meghan Davidson came up with the menu for this week’s “Guest Chef” entry. Please enjoy these tasty photos selected by Meghan!

Nicolas Darphin

The expression on this little girl’s face is priceless and appreciate the styling of the oversized glasses and typewriter. It seems like such a fun moment that instant film captured perfectly.

Marco Christian Krenn

When I saw this photo in the Impossible Gallery, I thought 2 things : (1) WOW, that shot is incredible, and (2) DAMN, I wish I had a large format camera so I could shoot 8×10 instant.

Impossible is thrilled to present AROUND THE WORLD IN 9 DAYS WITH TINY COLLECTIVE, a touring Instant Lab mobile photography exhibition taking place in New York City, Paris, Los Angeles, Istanbul, Toronto, San Francisco, Dubrovnik, Atlanta and Portland from June 20-28, 2013.

Celebrating the launch of Impossible’s Instant Lab, the tour opens in 9 cities in 9 days with 10 Tiny Collective members showing a total of 900 unique images all printed directly from iPhone using the Impossible Instant Lab.

We’ll be posting weekly video updates from the Tiny Collective crew here on the Impossible blog. Follow along on Instagram via the #aroundtheworldin9days tag.

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Welcome back to our newest addition to the Impossible Blog: Impossible’s Analog Travelog! In this series, we’ll be showcasing fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. This entry comes from Alison Turner who recently traveled to Death Valley and brought along some Impossible film…

Born and raised in Southern California, I learned early on that freedom consisted of long family road trips in our wood paneled station wagon. After college graduating college, I started my journey of climbing the corporate ladder thinking it would lead me to a better life. Years passed by and as I made it to the top steps of the ladder, I still wasn’t fulfilled. Instead, I felt trapped and uninspired. I decided to give it all up to find my creative soul that was lost along the way. In order to do that, I packed up everything I needed in my car and began to wander across the United States looking for something. What I found was a new appreciation of what is important in life. Shy by nature, having a camera in hand is my excuse to talk to strangers. Because of meeting and talking to strangers, I have met the most interesting folks and have had the the chance to do things all because of holding a camera, smiling and saying “hello.”

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series! This week, our star is Oklahoman Dylan Boyd…

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

I have a large shelf dedicated specifically toward displaying my vast Polaroid and instant camera collection, but I primarily use my SLR 680, SX-70 Sonar, Original SX-70, Spectra Onyx, Macro 5, and for packfilm I use a 250 Land Camera and a Holgaroid from time to time.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

There are so many reasons to love instant photography, for me it’s not only the nostalgic feeling it gives me, but also the tangibility and the time it gives me to escape this always growing digital world. I suffer from high anxiety and it gives me a chance to slow down, breathe, and be at one with myself and my art. I appreciate that I can compose a photo, snap the shutter and then have the image spit straight out of the camera. After that I love that I can watch all of these beautiful chemicals create an image right before my eyes. It’s an actual creation, not just a bunch of 0’s and 1’s on a hard drive. I consider it real magic.

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Hi friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ongoing instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you Maryland photographer Ashley Saldana…

1) What kind of Polaroid Camera do you use?

I use a variety of Polaroid cameras. The majority of the time I use my grandparents’ Supercolor 635 CL Polaroid camera. Lately I have been shooting with my SX-70 Model 3 and my Spectra camera.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I like the fact that every photo you take is completely different, even if you take the same shot twice. I love the minimal control I have of how the photo will develop – that’s what makes instant film so mysterious to me! You just never know exactly how your photo will end up. I also love how the anticipation builds up to watch something right in front of me develop in my hands. It’s like I’m capturing different bits and pieces of the world and taking them with me wherever I go.

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Hello friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ever-popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we are pleased to bring you California photographer Patrick J. Clarke…

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

I was lucky and bought some Polaroids before the prices started going up….and I’m a bit of a camera nut, so I have more than a few.

My first Polaroid camera was actually my son’s One 600. It’s the camera that got me back into using instant film and then discovering The Impossible Project.

I have an SX-70 Sonar that’s been with me since First Flush came out, and then recently got my Uncle Larry’s SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 2 with the split-viewfinder. It’s been dubbed “The Uncle Larry” for obvious reasons. I love the Sonar, but I’ve been shooting with the Model 2 a lot more since it’s smaller than the Sonar, beat up looking and I love the split viewfinder in it.

I had a Spectra, but it started smelling like it was on fire every time I used it, so I replaced it with a black and red Spectra 2 with a close-up lens and the copy stand. I haven’t had a chance to play with it much, but love the Spectra format and will be using it more soon.

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Welcome back to Impossible’s Analog Travelog! In this series, we showcase fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. This entry comes from Claire Penn, who recently visited Venice and brought along some Impossible film…

At the end of November I had the chance to go to Venice with a group of 30 female photographers from all over the world. We all met via social media and have our own little group where we discuss all things photography. I packed up my most recently acquired Polaroid, a beautiful SX-70 in pristine condition and 3 packs of PX 70 Color Protection. I’d taken one test shot at home which I loved instantly (no pun intended) and decided to save the rest for Venice as I couldn’t think of a better place to practice.

We spent 3 days wading through Venice’s streets and courtyards, shooting anything and everything, drinking coffee, eating delicious food and soaking it all up, literally. The PX 70 results were beyond my expectations especially as it was my first time using the camera. There were a few duds for sure where I’d messed up the exposure when dealing with strong sunlight/shadows but I’m more than happy with the ones I got. More practice is needed with the camera/film and temperatures eg. how they affect the results…but that’s the joy of it. The girls travelling with me were as excited as I was and many of them are now shopping around for their first Polaroid. It’s infectious.

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Welcome back to our newest addition to the Impossible Blog: Impossible’s Analog Travelog! In this series, we’ll be showcasing fantastic Impossible photos taken on voyages the world over. This entry comes from Frank Zierenberg, who recently visited Morocco and brought along some Impossible film…

I shot a lot of polas in Essaouira, Morocco at the end of October 2012. All photos were taken with PX 680 Color Protection film and an SLR 680.

It was particulary interesting to take pictures in a culture so different from our western culture – especially with a deep skepticism regarding photography. The old myth that a part of your soul is stolen when a picture is taken seems to be somewhat still present. Therefore the whole experience of taking pictures there was a journey that confronted me with some of the deeply rooted paradigms of photography: Respect for the depicted and his/her culture & the respect for privacy.

Using instant photography totaly changed everything. I quickly developed the method of “one for you, one for me”. This was a perfect ice-breaker and something that somehow seemed to overcome the skepticism regarding being photographed. I very often had crowds around me wanting to get their picture taken, even offering money of gifts from their shops in return. And I did not have a bad conscience for taking their pictures, as I left something for them.

Thanks to Frank for taking part in Analog Travelog! To see more of his photography, please visit http://www.brainbackup.de/

If...Read All

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Hello again, Instapals! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ongoing instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you our good friend, Dallas photographer Justin Goode…

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

A Mamiya RB67 w/ an instant back, Polaroid Automatic 100, Spectra AF, Sonar SX-70 and a SLR 680.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

The whole process is special. You expose a frame, which is then pushed through rollers, smearing developer goop across a negative. A chemical reaction takes place and voila, an image materializes. That is tangibility at its finest. Within minutes you have a work of art in your hands. I like that, because of its analog nature, outside variables can shape the final outcome of the image. Another bonus of instant photography is the connection people have with the film. It’s incredibly nostalgic. Most, if not every person I’ve shot using instant film, smile & exclaim something about how neat, cool, awesome, amazing, unique it is. I couldn’t agree more. It’s all of that and then some.

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you Andrew Twyman…

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

For now I just own a Polaroid SLR 680

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Instant film is pure and it’s honest. It tells you everything happening in the moment. You are given a real gift to hold onto and share in that moment that you are experiencing and that will carry with you for the rest of your life.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

4 or 5 years ago or so I remember I was just about to get into it and Polaroid stopped production. when I found it came back, I bought a camera as soon as I could.

4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

So far the best film I have used is the PIGEONHOLE PX 680 Color Protection, the new PX 680 COLOR PROTECTION, and Holden PX 680 COOL film.

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Hi friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our ongoing instant film interview series. This week, we are very happy to present you with French photographer and filmmaker Sarah Seené…

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

Since I began to work with instant film, I use a Polaroid 636 Close-up camera from 1992, which my dear aunt gave me. When I was a child, I used this device to photograph my grandmother’s animals…

2) Why do you like instant photography?

What interests me in the instant photography is its spontaneity, suspense and surprise. I prepare my instant photos a lot… During one hour or two, I set up costumes, sets and make-up which are going to give sense to the central characters of the photo. It is the contrast between the direction and the speed of the development that interests me and, of course, the magic grain of the instant photo, inimitable.

When the photo comes out, my heart is beating at top speed ! For me, instant photography is synonymous with emotion and sensation!

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

A few weeks ago, my mother offered me her first photo of me when I was an infant, and it was a polaroid. Obviously I didn’t remember taking this picture… But I do remember very well the very first Polaroid I made: when I was 7, the day of Christmas with my Grandma, we had just decorated the Christmas tree, I was so happy to decorate it with her,...Read All

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Hello, friends. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you long-time Impossible supporter and wonderful photographer, Italy’s own Andrea Palei…

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

I started shooting instant film with the “Polaroid 1000 red button” of my dad. I am passionate and I bought an original SX-70 (my favourite camera), from there I became insane, and I started collecting as many instant cameras as possible. I often use original SX-70 and SLR 680. And sometimes the Spectra and Colorpack II.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

It’s magical. The thing I love most about the instant photography is the unpredictability of the outcome, and the possibility to “touch” the photo and see it “born” slowly under my eyes. Those are things that fascinate me again like the first time.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

The very first memory: I was a child and my father was taking polaroids at the beach and birthday parties.

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Hello, instanteers. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we happily bring you wonderful California photographer Francisco Chavira…

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

Like most photographers, I get GAS or Gear Acquisition Syndrome; It’s incredibly easy to get! There are Polaroid cameras everywhere at my place. However, I was challenged by a fellow photographer to stick to one camera and one film, to learn everything about that one camera and that one film. So, I shoot almost exclusively with an SX-70 Sonar. I’ve learned that the sonar doesn’t work most of the time, so I manually focus all the time. Sticking with this one camera, I’ve grown very comfortable with it and shooting it has become very natural. It’s truly an amazing camera, the depth of field and the sharpness of the SX-70 is stunning.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

As a film photographer, having an instant photo at your disposal is incredibly rad. Not only do you get the satisfaction of seeing how your images will look right away, but your subject gets the feeling of accomplishment as well. All the effort your subject put into makeup, hair, posing ect. is worth it. Instant film is powerful, because it has a unique ability to alter someones mood. To think how this one tiny square image, can uplift and excite is amazing. Having that power to instantly uplift your subject on a portrait shoot is powerful.

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you Tennessee photographer and new mom Ashley Jae Fly…

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

I use several different Polaroid cameras, but the three I use the most are a Spectra System, an SX-70 Sonar & a Sun 660 I’ve pretty much retired the rest of them.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I’m in love with instant photography because of its permanence, magic, and the nostalgia I feel when I shoot with it. It’s imperfect, which in my eyes makes it that much cooler. I love the static of it, and the fact that what you see is what you get. We don’t scan our instant photographs and then edit them in photoshop. It is what it is.

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Hello everyone, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to present to you Italian photographer Giacomo Inches…

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

I feel very comfortable with the SX-70 and Image cameras. If I have enough space, I definitely put them both in my bag. But I like to test and experiment with different cameras as well. I recently acquired an SLR 680 and I also like a Land Camera 340 that was given to me as a present. I also turned an Image camera with broken shutter into an Image pinhole camera that returns wonderful b/w images. Sometimes I play with a 630 LightMixer or a 1000 camera. At the end of the day, my wife is always complaining about all the cameras I have around (too many).

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I love photography in general because it can capture a particular moment (that is already gone, due to the impossibility of stopping time) into a particular frame. Instant photography, however, is one step further: a second after you shot, that moment you fixed through the camera becomes ‘tangible’ in your hands. You can observe the picture becoming reality and finally seeing and remembering and feeling that moment you just lived & shot. Moreover, compared to the modern digital photography, the instant returns a unique picture: even if you scan it, it will never be the same as the single original one. I still find people getting surprised by the self-developmment of the picture and its appearing ‘like magic’

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Hi Viewfinder fans! Welcome back to our ongoing series that chronicles interesting and exciting projects that incorporate Impossible films. This entry focuses on photographer Susan Sabo’s wonderful instant dog photographs…

My project, “As a Child I Dreamt of Dogs” combines photos with poetry and essays that together are about honoring, remembering and just experiencing our lives with dogs. Impossible Project film is the only film I could use for this project, because like our dogs, each shot is truly unique. When I shoot with my SX-70, there are often happy surprises and not-so-happy surprises, but each is beautiful and unique in its own way…just like my dogs.

A portion of all print and upcoming book sales will go to a variety of animal rescue & welfare organizations.

Thank you to Susan for sharing these fantastic photos with us! Please visit her website at susansabophotography.com.

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Ciao, friends! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to bring you Italian photographer Alan Marcheselli…

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

I own more or less 200 Polaroid cameras, and depending on what I need, I choose the more useful, but my favourites are a silver One 600, an SX-70 Model 2 and a Spectra AF coming from a police CSI kit.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I like it because of the size, the vintage/POP feelings, the different cameras and moreover I love the possibility to realize unrepeatable pictures.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

I was three years old and my uncle shot some pictures of me with a Spirit 600 CL while on holiday. I fell in love with that system that gave the possibility to look immediately at the picture. Now, 37 years later, that pictures and that camera are still in my studio.

4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

AARRRGHH are you sure I have to choose only one?

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This entry focuses on Virginia photographer Caleb Jenkins…

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

As of now I have a single SX-70 Sears Special with the original skin, two 600 cameras, two Spectra cameras and one 420 Land Camera. Among those, my SX-70 is my favorite and most used. I love the history and pop culture behind the SX-70 camera and how vintage and iconic it is. I’m a big fan of the 70s, so my SX-70 is a perfect fit for me.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Seeing as this question has been answered many times before me it’s quite hard to sum up an answer that isn’t anywhere near cliche. I guess I’ll have to go ahead and conform to all other answers, because instant photography is simply magical. I love that with each image I take, it’s the only image that will ever look that way. It’s truly a single edition. One main reason that I’ve been pulled into instant photography is that I feel it brings me back to reality.

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Hello again, friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we are happy to bring you marketing director and photographer Tim Logan…

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

Most of the time I use an SX-70 or SX-70 sonar. I have a variety of other Polaroid cameras and backs as well, though, and will often use one of those. It’s not uncommon to see me out with a Polaroid Spectra, Polaroid 250 or my Graflex Crown Graphic with a Polaroid 545 or 550 back. I enjoy shooting as many instant film formats as I can get my hands on so I tend to have a lot of different cameras with me at any given time.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

As strange as it may sound, one of the biggest reasons I enjoy instant photography is because of what it has taught me – Patience. Whether you are shooting with Impossible’s films or some the remaining expired Polaroid stock you really need to be much more mindful of how you work. It’s become very easy to shoot in excess because of digital technology, but, because I don’t want to waste a single frame of instant film I’ve really learned to slow down and take more into consideration before I release the shutter. Ultimately, I think that lesson has made me a better photographer regardless of the format I’m shooting.

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Hello, instant film lovers, and welcome back to Viewfinder, our series in which we chronicle interesting projects people are working on using Impossible film. This week, we’re happy to present to you “Ray of Summer,” a photo book by Japanese photographer Ken Hirama and singer/songwriter Ray.

The “Ray of Summer” photo book was made limited of 100 copies and was only available at Ray’s annual solo live performance. Due to the great feedback, I wanted to share some of the photos. The book is a collection of Ken’s portraits of Ray using a folding SX-70 and PX 70 Color Shade Cool film

A great portrait comes from the mutual trust between the photographer and the model, therefore having known Ray since our early teens, we were both comfortable with each other. Rather than planning each shot, I would let her play in the park or the beach to bring out her natural charm. My job was to capture her charm using this unique type of film and understanding that it always produces an unexpected image. The choices we had to make upon choosing the right photos and the film was also difficult but with the help and support from so many, we were able to finish this beautiful book.

Photo by James McManus

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Happy Sunday, friends! Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 sharp images that caught our eye over the course of the week. Lately we’ve been singing the praises of our color film, so this week’s issue is dedicated to the beauty of our monochrome films. Please enjoy these stunning black and white Impossible photos…

Photos come to us from James McManus, Andreina Schoeberlein, Nicholas Misciagna, Laurene and Domink Werdoux and were taken with the following film types: PX 100 UV+, PX 100 Cool and PX 600 UV+ Black Frame.

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

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Hello, instant film lovers, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular analog Q&A series. This week the star is our good friend, Dustin Yager…

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

I have a decent collection of Polaroid cameras but my main cameras are an SX-70 (whichever one is working at the time) and a modified 450 Land Camera. I am currently working on a new pack film mod that i am looking forward to.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Everyone who sees me shoot instant film asks me this question and I never have a standard answer for it. I love the uniqueness and individuality of every shot. I love that it’s not easily replicated and that your instant shot is a capture of that moment in time, whatever it may be. I love that there is an unknown element with every instant photography shot and there are no “do overs.” Digital photography just feels cold and too perfect to me sometimes and I love the softness and dreamlike quality that instant film has. I also feel that since i have been shooting instant film, it has made me a better photographer and made me think of the shot more before and during the process.

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Hello, Impossible friends! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you Minnesota artist and photographer Jessica Shimek…

1) What Polaroid cameras do you use?

A Polaroid SX-70, A Polaroid Spirit 600, a 240 Land Camera and a Polaroid back on my Hasselblad 501c/m.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Every photography medium has a different feeling and portrays a different mood. I love the mood that instant photography gives me. It is warm and sometimes a bit faded…this will sound cheesy, but I feel like each image is a tangible bit of a memory.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

I don’t know that I have an earliest memory that I can really remember. Polaroids and instant film were just always there. My parents had a Polaroid 600 camera and took tons of photos of me when I was younger. I grew up with it. It was never not a thing. I don’t remember the first time I watched an instant photo develop, but I remember that it was magical every time.

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Welcome back to Viewfinder, our blog series that focuses on interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This entry, we’re happy to bring you Brooklyn-based visual artist Kimi Selfridge…

I’m embarking on a journey to capture the world from my wonderstruck point of view. Working exclusively with analog film formats, I style my photo shoots and otherwise progress with little to no plan. Entering an uncontrolled environment, I’m able to react with a discerning eye to splice subject and setting, which lends itself to my commitment of never altering the photographs, allowing the work to remain honest and original.

All of my current public works are part of an ongoing personal project entitled “This Is Our Youth”.

To see more of Kimi’s photography, please visit her Flickr photostream

Photo by Penny Felts

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Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, a wonderful feature in which we share 5 solid photos taken with Impossible film that have stood out to us over the course of each week.

This week’s edition leans toward the Y chromosome; it’s all about dudes. These Impossible photos capture the essence of man in an instant.

Photos come from Penny Felts, Justin Molina, Ann McGarry, David Dalglish and Nicolas SP, on the following film types: PX 70 Opacification test film Version 4B, PX 70 Opacification test film Version 4C, PX 600 UV+ and PZ 600 UV+ Black Frame.

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

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Hello, friends! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we present to you South Carolina photographer Brian Green…

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

What I usually have on me at a basic shoot are two Mamiya RB67s with Polaroid pack film backs: one with a 180mm lens and one a 90mm, a Polaroid Colorpack, and an SX-70 Sonar. I have around 30 cameras in my collection but those are my main ones that get used daily.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

The instant aspect of course; I am a person who likes to put work out as it’s created so waiting on developing film would slow that down a little. Also in my opinion nothing comes close to the colors and feel the instant film gives.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

My mom has always been artistic, from painting, to wood work to photography so she introduced me to it at an early age and it has always had a soft spot in my heart some of the only photos I have of my father are on Polaroid 600 film.

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Greetings, instanteers, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week’s guest is a good friend of ours from the UK, all-around nice guy and brilliant photographer Benjamin Innocent…

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

I have a few instant cameras but have found that I gravitate to 3 that I use often: A Polaroid SLR 680, a Land 250 pack film camera (newly acquired) and an SX-70 Model 1. I find the SX-70 is my most frequently used camera; it was my first folding Polaroid and I adore it. Its design is genius, more a work of art.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I am fairly new to instant film, however (and this may sound crass), I find this 40-50 year old technology absolutely blows my mind, it is magic! Taking each shot makes me a little giddy with a click, thud, whirr sound. I am very much self-taught/learnt from friends when it comes to taking photographs and I have found that instant photography is where I have settled; it resonates with how I approach making a picture. I love that it slows you down, when you press the shutter button you are committed; no deletes or retakes. The nervous wait to see the image and then you are left with the tangible element that is unique; physically holding an image, passing it round, sticking it up on a wall, giving that one copy away.

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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.

Photo by Andrew Jarman

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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!

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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).

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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.

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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.

Photo by Matteo Varsi

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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!

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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…

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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…

Portrait of Phillip, © Frenchcockpit 2011

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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.

Photo by Hannah Bryant

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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!

Photo by Nick Tonkin

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Happy Sunday, Impossibles! Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, where we share with you 5 tasty photos that caught our eye over the past week.

This week’s images come to you from Nick Tonkin, Azuree Wiitala, Rudy Ramos, Emanuela De Toffani and Kumiko Sekiguchi.

Photos were taken using the following film types: PX70 Cool, PX 70 Nigo, PX 680 Cool and PX 680 Gold Edition.

Get out there and snap away! We may spy one of YOUR Impossible gems and want to use it in a future Sunday Brunch!

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Hi there, Impossibles. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you one of the original members of the Save Polaroid movement, Justin Craigen…

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

SX-70 Alpha 1 Model 1, SX-70 Model 1 Sonar, Spectra, 450, and a pinhole camera with a packfilm back.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

It’s a variety of reasons. One that has been particularly important is the social aspect of the medium. Instant photos are, more than any other type, perfect for sharing with others. More importantly, getting involved with instant photography has brought me into contact with a large number of absolutely wonderful and inspiring people that otherwise, I would have likely never met. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a handful of them in person, and so far all are as good, or better, in the flesh.

There’s also the element of unpredictability that comes with the medium. It forces the photographer into a zone where the varying degree of lack of control is embraced. And with Impossible’s in-house produced films, there has been a real effort required to get predictable results. It’s much less of a struggle now, but even so, I find that the emotional payoff of a successful image is significantly greater than with other types of film, or digital photography.

I also enjoy the manipulations that can be done—partly for aesthetics, and partly because once a manipulation is made, there’s no going back. The...Read All

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Welcome back to Viewfinder, our series focusing on interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This entry brings you Italian photographer Lorenzo Papadia…

I live and work in Italy as a photographer and my main occupation is to organize workshops and teach in photography schools. I create themed series of pictures, starting from an accurate analysis of reality, taking pictures of common objects, indoor environments, or urban places. ‘My’ reality is resorted out through my camera, so that it can reflect the great chaos generated by our life nowadays, which usually results in over-elaborated pictures. I think a photographer’s role is to give the observer all the instruments they need to analyze details, even common ones, which are usually ignored as the sight flies to other distractions.

My aim is to focus on details as if I were a child, amazed by new things the world has to offer. In other words, taking pictures becomes a further step in perceiving things so that I can get through their essence. The Polaroid and instant film help me in overtaking reality, making the result…

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, our featured photographer is Daniel G. Fuster…

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

A great thing about instant photography is that cameras are usually easy to find and quite affordable. I have to admit to having many of them, but, at the end, I usually stick to an old SX-70 Sonar and a more recent SLR 690 camera. These last weeks I am also using a flashy blue Impulse.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

I like its colours, the texture, the frame, the way it captures light, but the fact that you can see – and touch – the result immediately is to me, the best thing about instant photography. I also enjoy the difficulties that this kind of photography has, in terms of need of light, limited capacity to use lens, etc. as I believe that this brings more simplicity and spontaneity to pictures. I also like the nostalgic feeling that this material often has, not to say the accidental trait that, time to time, does appear.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

My grandmother bought a Polaroid camera in the early eighties, and she used to take pictures of both my sister and me in the summertime. Since then, I have always associated instant film with holidays…

Photo by Sarah Kirkham

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Happy Sunday, Impossibles! Welcome back to Sunday Brunch, where we share with you 5 photographic treats that caught our eye over the past week.

This week, we wanted to focus on animals! These furry critters belong to Sarah Kirkham, Melissa Mohd Nor, Terry Hare, Brad Brok and Scott Hoffman

This week’s images were taken on the following film types: PX 70 Cool, PX 70 Nigo and PZ 680.

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This week, we bring you California-based Laura Alice Watt…

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

A: The workhorse is my trusty SLR 680, looking a bit worse for wear these days as it’s usually my travel Polaroid. It’s kept company by a tan SX-70 (such an elegant creation!), a Spectra and an Automatic 250, plus packfilm camera backs for the Hasselblad and, most recently, Crown Graphic. Plenty of fine cams to choose from!

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

A: There’s of course the relatively-instant gratification (compared to regular film, not digital) of seeing them develop, and the sheer tangibility of a pola, that it’s both an image and an object; for me, the biggest allure is the way these cameras and films “see.” Light glows differently through instant film than through any other kind, there’s just nothing else like it—all those Pola-Droid apps are sad, sad imitations at best—real instant film provides a unique and characteristic view of the world, a way of seeing the subject that directly enhances and contributes to its beauty or intrigue. And I like that sense of interaction, not only between photographer and subject but also through the distinctive medium of the film—and of course the serendipity.

Q3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

A: I’m perhaps a bit unusual among instant photographers, in that I don’t have any nostalgic memories of polaroids from the past; both of...Read All

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Hello again, Viewfinder fans. We are happy to deliver another exciting issue to your doorstep! This week, we turn our lens on Amber Mahoney, creator of The Present Company Project…

My name is Amber Mahoney and I’m a documentary, fashion and alternative wedding photographer based out of DC and NYC.

I started The Present Company Project as a challenge to myself – I wanted to have a genuine interaction with someone I might otherwise never know. I wanted to stop fitting people into my world, but rather see them as they are. I thought if I could connect with others on this level it might make me a better artist, and more so, a better person. It started when I met Tyrone, just having my mind blown by a complete stranger, and grew from there.

So I’ve started carrying a Polaroid camera with me everywhere. When I see someone I’d like to know, I ask if I can take their photo. If they say yes, I ask: “If you could ask a perfect stranger anything in the world, what would it be?” or “What is one thing you’d like people to know about you?” I usually blush and get a bit flustered, but…

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Hello again, 8 Exposures fans. This week, we are happy to bring you Canadian photographer Pierre Manning…

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

SX-70

2) Why do you like instant photography?

The suprise , the tones , the richness of colors.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

I remember my mother gave me my first Polaroid and it was a revelation for me to see my images developing in front of my eyes.

4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

PX-70. I also liked Polaroid’s Fade To Black that Impossible sold.

5) What are your favorite subjects to photograph?

Photo by James Matthew Carroll

Continuing our Impossible Workshop series, we are pleased to announce the return of a classic workshop on one of our favorite cameras, the Polaroid 600 camera. The Impossible Project will hold a three hour interactive workshop on maximizing Impossible film in the Polaroid 600 Camera.

Photo by Micaela Go

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Hi friends, and welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch. Each week, we’ll be posting 5 tasty photos that caught our eye over the past week.

This week, we present you with a special Portrait Edition of Sunday Brunch, featuring photos by Micaela Go, Meredith Wilson, Andrea Buia, Erdal Kahraman and Troy Bradford

Images were taken with the following film types: PX 100 Cool, PX 70 Nigo Edition, PX 680 Gold Edition and PX 70 Cool

Photo by Andrew Yang

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Once upon a time, horny boys, pornography dilettantes, sneaky voyeurs, slutty exhibitionists, and queers of all types were confined to instant photography to document their private activities and tastes in all things a little less than appropriate. As a part of the Queer New York International Arts Festival, East Village Boys is bringing together a few of their favorite artists to create new work specifically for an exhibition at the Impossible Project’s NYC Space.

Photo by Hannes Caspar

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Hi friends, and welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch. Each week, we’ll be posting tasty photos that caught our eye over the past week.

This week, we’re delivering extra flavor, with 9 scrumptious Impossible images, from Hannes Caspar, Amanda Raney, Barbara Stellmach, Chris Stapledon, Ben Lormore, Dan O’Connor, Claudia Toloni, Timothy Logan and Jessica Reinhardt

All images were taken with the following film types: PX 70 12/11 film, PX 680 Gold Frame film, PX 70 NIGO film and PX 600 Black Frame film

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Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we turn our lens on Texas teacher and photographer Tyler Tyndell…

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

The truth is that by the time this interview runs, it will have changed. Realizing the potential for all Polaroid camera models to be useful, I acquire them readily. Of course, my SX-70 is with me at all times as well as two 250 Land Cameras. Being as it is, when my SX-70 needs troubleshooting, my father-in-law is kind enough to lend me one of his. Other cameras that are usually with me are an SX-70 Pronto and a Polaroid Spectra.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

Can I give a dissertation? In all seriousness, instant photography breathes creativity. For me it provides an avenue for creativity that I would have never been exposed to otherwise. I believe the addictive quality induced from instant photography is best explained by truly understanding the magnitude of what happens the moment you press the shutter. It could be everything or nothing that you imagined. The 35-year-old camera could false shoot and you may end up transferring the pack to another camera, just to harvest the image.

Let’s talk about PX, baby!

Tackling the Impossible takes time, dedication and expertise − and we can all get by with a little help from our friends. Come join in on the ever-growing Impossible community for our next monthly Analog Feedback Night.

Next Thursday, May 31st, come by the NYC Space to show off your work. Talk film and photography with like minded instant enthusiasts over a few beers. Discover new camera and film secrets, geek out and maybe even get your work featured on The Impossible Blog – this is your chance to connect with other artists and photographers involved in the instant film community!

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 31, 2012 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
WHERE: Impossible Project Space NYC 425 Broadway, 5th Floor Between Howard & Canal Streets
RSVP: Email rsvp@theimpossibleproject.com or call +1 212 219 3254
FREE and open to the public!

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Welcome back to Viewfinder, our blog series highlighting interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we are happy to present Ignas Kutavicius…

I was born in Lithuania at the ending of the Soviet Union era. These were the times when all foreign things were extremely rare and popular. At that time I had only heard of a camera that develops a picture moments after it was taken. I don’t think I even believed my friends when they told me about it, until I saw and experienced it myself. It was like magic! Unfortunately to own something like that you had to work in ships that go abroad or have special connections.

I started working with instant film as a photographer in the summer of 2008. My brother invited me to music and arts festival Satta Outside that took place in an old yacht club on the coast of the Curonian spit – a stone’s throw away from my hometown Klaipeda. Photography stores were selling their last reserves of Polaroid 600 film when I bought about 5 packs that I used for photographing the festival. I fell in love with this material from the first few shots and was extremely happy a few years later when I heard about Impossible Project and its important mission giving instant film a new life!

Photo by Sara Robinson

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Hi friends, and welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch. Each week, we’ll be posting 5 tasty photos that caught our eye over the past week.

Now that the weather is improving we’ll enjoy this brunch on a picnic table. We’re loving all the great outdoor shots people are taking!

This week’s photos were taken by Sara Robinson, Emily Hunt, Cristina Corduneanu, Inger Margrete and win†erwald using the following film types: PX 70 12/11 film, PX 680 Cool and PZ 680

Photo by Melanie Rodriguez

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Cycle 5 of the Holden x Impossible Timeless In An Instant photo contest has closed.

The winners of round five were chosen by California born photographer Kassia Meador. A world traveler at heart, Kassia draws influence from the sun and surf, communicating youthfulness through her sun soaked images.

And the winner is…

BARCELONA
by Melanie Rodriguez
Film: PX 70 Color Shade

And Runner Up:

SUMMER
by Dylan Boyd
Film: PX 680 COOL

Congratulations to Melanie and Dylan! Each will receive an Impossible film pack and a Holden t-shirt.

Don’t miss your chance to become a winner of the 6th and FINAL ROUND and win the last of the bi-weekly prizes – SUBMIT HERE and best of luck!

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To celebrate the recent opening of Traces of Time, the vibrant new exhibition to open on our South wall, photographers and fellow travelers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari will visit the NYC Space to talk about their experience shooting Impossible film in the remote deserts and villages of the Wakhan corridor, Afghanistan. Guests will have the opportunity to ask the artists about their shooting and survival techniques and hear the inside story on their adventure. If you haven’t had a chance to see this unique exhibition, Traces of Time will be showing in the NYC Space until June 1st.

While you prepare your burning questions for the artists, check out their story on The New York Times LENS blog or listen to their interview on NPR!

WHEN: THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
WHERE: Impossible Project Space NYC 425 Broadway, 5th Floor Between Howard & Canal Streets
RSVP: Email rsvp@theimpossibleproject.com or call +1 212 219 3254
FREE and open to the public!

Welcome back to Viewfinder, our ongoing series showcasing interesting projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we bring you Texas photographer Kyle Vaughn…

“My name is Kyle Vaughn, and I am a writer, teacher, and photographer in Dallas, Texas. As an artist, though I’ve predominantly worked as a writer over the last 15 years, I’ve increasingly turned to photography for inspiration and have even made a go at photography at a more professional level, publishing images and making and selling Polaroid posters. And though I continue on mainly as a writer, I’d say that photography somewhat saved my writing, teaching me how to better see the images I was after and how to study multiple points of view (even the inside of something), somewhat like the sculptor Auguste Rodin challenged his secretary to do. As it happens, his secretary was the poet Rainer Maria Rilke! I learned that as a writer, I am not separate from the things I am writing about, not somehow above the world, not in character nor in spirit nor in mind. I learned that I needed to interact with the world, be involved. That merging of the metaphysical back into the physical is what, in part, drew me to instant photography. And as an artist who loves to both preserve the important parts of my past, but also experiment, I have been fascinated and inspired by the Impossible Project from the moment I read of their plan to continue...Read All

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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!

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Hello, Impossibles! Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q&A series. This entry brings you photographic Frenchman Thomas Krauss…

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

A: From the moment I fell for instantaneous photographs I‘ve tried different ones, but mostly those that use 600 film. The very first one, the trigger, the Archduke of Austria, was the fruit of an exchange for a Holga. Lately I’ve mostly been using an SLR 680, a 690, and an instant Type 100 back for my 4×5 camera.

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

A: I honestly don’t know, my banker is after me. My wife and him agree so much in restraining my buying frenzy that I’m beginning to think there’s something between them…My photographs lack perfection. I don’t master any of the parameters at shooting…

Q3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

A: The one and only time during my childhood when I used a Polaroid was for Manu’s birthday. Manu was the little fair-haired boy who lived opposite us. (Since then he has grown and moved).
The boy I’ve always known.
The boy I cycled with.
The boy I watched the Tour de France with – the boy who made me hate the Tour de France.
The boy I played Monopoly with – the boy who made me hate Monopoly…So maybe he’s the one who made me hate birthdays and love Polaroid!

Q4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

A: Meat is my hobby-horse. The colour of meat. I’ve...Read All

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.

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Last Thursday we celebrated the opening of our latest exhibition, Traces of Time, at the NYC Space. The show consists of images taken by photographers and fellow travelers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari along their travels in the deserts and villages of Afghanistan.

Guests enjoyed the vibrant showcase of Impossible films alongside a video presentation of the artists’ journey. DJ Rodolphe filled the room with vinyl music, refreshments were generously provided by Brooklyn Brewery and Impossible photographers captured the night on the new PX100 COOL film.

Thank you to all who attended, and congratulations to the artists. Traces of Time will be on display at the Impossible Project NYC Space during regular open hours: Monday through Friday 11am–7pm and on Weekends 12pm–6pm until June 3rd. Don’t miss your chance to see it!

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On April 5th, American born photographers Mikael Kennedy & Sean Sullivan set out from Los Angeles, CA, deep into the heart of the country on a 30 day road trip to explore America, sponsored by Wolverine boots.

The project, titled Ramblers Bone, chronicles Sullivan & Kennedy’s trek east into the high deserts of New Mexico before turning north through the Rockies, into the wild lands of Montana, across to the Pacific for the last leg of their journey, bringing them down the California coast where the wilderness meets the water.

Mikael brought along some PX 70 film on his journey and he has captured some beautiful moments.

To see more of the duo’s photographic work from their trip, please visit www.ramblersbone.com/

Photo by Thomas Krauss

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Hi friends, and welcome to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch. Each week, we’ll be posting 5 tasty photos that caught our eye over the past week.

Photos this week were taken by Thomas Krauss, Bradley Johnson, Thomas Bottcher, Josie Keefe and Zia Khan, using the following film types: PX 680 Cool, PX 70 Cool and PX 100

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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As The Impossible Project NYC Space gears up for another busy month, we invite you to all of the following events! This Thursday celebrate the imaginative approach of Impossible explorers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari with the opening of Traces of Time, then follow up on their adventure at their Artist Talk later in the month. Don’t miss the rare and special duo of events with Italian maestro Maurizio Galimberti, and practice honing your skills with a classic camera at our upcoming SX-70 Workshop. Come and experience these very special events for yourself, or bring some friends to everything happening this month at the NYC Space!

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Italian photographer Maurizio Galimberti has been working with Polaroid film since the early 90s, but has now adapted his techniques to incorporate new Impossible film materials. Maurizio uses instant photographs to create stunning multi dimensional mosaics, consisting of up to 140 individual images, capturing personalities like Johnny Depp, George Clooney and Sofia Coppola among many others.

The Impossible Project NYC Space is proud to offer TWO special events lead by Maurizio Galimberti in early May. During his very special visit to New York, Maurizio will share his experiences and thoughts on the instant analog medium and on the transition from Polaroid to Impossible films. Participants in this very rare workshop will have the opportunity to ask Maurizio all their artistic and technical questions, and also get an exclusive look into his signature techniques and observations using Impossible films.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to learn from a master of instant photography, and RSVP today!

Photo by Varial & Nadjari

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A Photographic Journey with the Afghan Pamiris

During July and August 2011, childhood friends and photographers Varial and Fabrice Nadjari traveled by foot to the North-Eastern part of Afghanistan armed with Polaroid cameras, Impossible films and solar powered scanners.

In the remote village of Kash Goz, they photographed mischievous Ismaili children, housewives, opium smokers, village chiefs and peasants. Each subject received their own portrait as a gift from the artists.

These portraits are what makes up “Traces of Time,” opening at The Impossible Project Space NYC alongside a video presentation of the artists’ journey from May 3 to June 3 2012 and on www.the-impossible-project.com. The opening reception will take place in presence of the artists with DJs and refreshments.

For more information about the artists’ experience, check out the story on The New York Times LENS blog or listen to their interview on NPR!

WHEN: THURSDAY MAY 3RD, 2012, 6PM-9PM
WHERE: Impossible Project NYC Space, 425 Broadway, Floor 5, NYC 10013
RSVP: rsvp@theimpossibleproject.com or call (212) 219-3254
OPEN HOURS: Mon–Fri 11am–7pm and Weekends 12pm–6pm
For further information, please visit the exhibition site.

Photo by Jessica Reinhardt

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Alongside our exhibition with ACE Hotels in NYC and our Limited Edition PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ film, ACE has been hosting an online photo contest, selecting new winners every month! ACE is collecting submissions of YOUR Impossible images in an ever-growing gallery located online at acehotel.com/impossible. ACE’s panel of romantics and analog enthusiasts will curate a physical gallery show at Ace Hotel New York this Fall, exhibiting selected shots from the contest.

Congratulations to Jessica Reinhardt, Jason Benning and Demian Jacob Mendes – the most recent selected photographers of the ACE contest!

Check out ACE’s gallery and pick your favorite images or submit your own for a chance to win and be featured. Good luck!

Photo by Andrew Millar

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Cycle 3 of the Holden x Impossible Timeless In An Instant photo contest has ended.

The winners of round three were chosen by American photographer Brandon Long. A man of few words, Brandon visually communicates his manifesto through his unending work exclusively on instant film: The Only Magic Left is Art and Nothing on Earth Can Hold it as Prisoner.

And the winner is…

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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.

Let’s talk about PX, baby!

Tackling the Impossible takes time, dedication and expertise − and we can all get by with a little help from our friends. Come join in on the ever-growing Impossible community for our first ever Analog Feedback Night.

On April 26th, The Impossible Project NYC Space invites YOU to showcase your favorite Impossible images to knowledgeable peers and fellow enthusiasts. Spend the evening reviewing your work and getting feedback while making new analog-loving friends. This is your chance to connect with other artists and photographers involved in the instant film community!

The night will take place from 6-9pm in The Impossible Project NYC Space. Come with originals or digital files on a USB flash drive. Bring your friends!

• When: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Where: Impossible Project Space, 425 Broadway, Floor 5, NYC 10013
• Registration: (212) 219 3254 or nycspace@theimpossibleproject.com
• FREE and open to the public

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Ahoy, Impossibles! Welcome back to Viewfinder, our blog series focusing on interesting projects involving instant film. This entry provides you with a glimpse of the landscape of Antarctica, through the lens of an instant camera wielded by Pittsburgh native Peter Pawlowski…

“My obsession with the polar environment has been with me since my childhood. An alien land of ice and rock, remote yet teeming with life, its inaccessibility haunted me and tempted my urge to explore.

The opportunity eventually presented itself for me to actually travel to such a magical place as Antarctica…and as for capturing its mystique, the adventure that is instant film photography seemed the perfect match.

The Antarctic environment is not the most conducive to shooting with instant film. Cold is the enemy of chemicals and batteries, wildlife is always on the move, and lack of a zoom lens means you always want to get closer, despite having to keep your distance.

But the landscape never disappointed, and time was always on my side. I was prepared with plenty of film, having devoted much of my luggage space to the project. Lots of practice with my cameras at home allowed me to focus on the shot, and I’m very happy with the results.

There’s something special about holding these photographs, in knowing that they are truly a product of the Antarctic environment. The magic of instant film allowed them to be exposed, developed and printed in the atmosphere and energy of the place, and each time I wrote on the back of...Read All

Photo by Brian Henry

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MOMENTUM is currently on view at The Impossible Project NYC Space. This stunning exhibition of PX100 UV+ and PX70 materials includes some of the richest tones and sharpest contrast yet. For this installment of Artist in Residence, surrealist photographer Brian Henry has shared his experiences shooting these new batches of film, as well as his interpretation of the exhibition’s concept. Through a happy accident involving a faulty heater in a freezing basement and explorations in an abandoned hospital, Brian provides insight into his creative process and how unpredictable chance influenced the final images he submitted for MOMENTUM…

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Welcome back to Viewfinder, our series focusing on interesting projects and uses of Impossible film. This entry brings you Paul Reitano, who recently shot at the Reason Rally in Washington, D.C….

“Hey Polaroid nerds! I’m a wedding/portrait/event/whatever photographer that has begun incorporating polaroid and other film cameras into my work. I have gone through a steep learning curve with Impossible Project film, and finally, after much experimentation, arrived at the point where I can incorporate the film into a session and know I’m going to get unique and consistent results. I love the simplicity and elegance of the images that are created with my Spectra camera and Silver Shade film.

In this world gone mad with the exponential growth of digital technology (see Moore’s Law), I have found shooting on an instant camera and Impossible film to be a sacred act that serves as an antidote to needless complexity.

Photo by Pierre Manning

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Cycle 2 of the Holden x Impossible Timeless In An Instant photo contest has now ended.

The winners of round two were chosen by American photographer Angela Boatwright. Beginning her career by capturing the grittiness of the underground New York hardcore and skateboarding scenes in the early 90s, Angela’s profound passion for up-and-coming artists—backed by years of experience as a creative director and photo editor—result in her producing countless magazine features, special projects and art shows.

And the winners are…

Photo by David Sperring.

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Cycle 1 of the Holden x Impossible Timeless In An Instant photo contest has now ended.

The winners of round one were chosen by Italian born photographer Alessandro Simonetti. Alessandro is part of the first generation of Italian kids documenting the HC Punk, Hip Hop and skate Italian scene in the early 90’s. He lives in NYC.

From Ale:

“I’ve been checking more than 400 entries and have gradually collected all the images that captured me, based on a really simple instinct criteria that someone in the past named, “punctum”.

I love the intimacy and the taste of what the instant film introduced in the 50’s and more in a larger scale in the late 70’s, giving the possibility to everyone to have access to the otherwise elitist world of photography. Like digital cameras have done more recently, the Instant films were a really democratic happening.”

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Although we’ve almost reached the close of Instant Revolution at The Impossible Project NYC Space, Jennifer Juniper Stratford has graciously shared her experience conceptualizing her work for the show in our next installment of Artist in Residence. By photographing Hollywood with Polaroid Classic Image film, she provides insight into the Polaroid camera’s relationship with movie making and its participants, ultimately reflecting on how a classic medium once influenced an industry:

“These days the use of analog is often misunderstood as being something that is nostalgic, meant to look old, or is reactionary to digital. In a larger scope it should be viewed as a choice of medium like any other and is not on the verge of becoming extinct in the face of digital…

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)

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Hi friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our weekly instant film Q & A series. This entry turns the spotlight on California-based photographer Matthew Fry

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

I have a Polaroid SX-70 Alpha 1 SE with a Polaroid Polatronic 2350 flash. I love it, and it looks as good as it shoots. I used to have a Onestep Closeup 600, but I gave that to Nettie Harris after a shoot. Actually, I guess I have two other 600s somewhere around here. That’s the great thing about Polaroids, someone always has one laying around from back in the day.

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

I think most everyone would say that it gives them something tangible in a world consumed by digital. But I only shoot film, so instant is my version of digital. I don’t have to wait days to see it, I have it there in my hands the moment I shoot it. And I always love the anticipation as it turns from blue, slowly forming the shapes and colors. It’s like opening a christmas present for me.

Photo by Patrick Tobin

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Just last week, The Impossible Project Space NYC celebrated the opening of MOMENTUM. The exhibition showcased just how far Impossible has come since starting production, highlighting new PX100 UV+ Silver Shade and PX70 Color Shade films. Attendees took in the many shades of new Impossible materials, while our very own Patrick Tobin captured the action on PX70 with the new Mint Flash Bar. Everyone enjoyed live vinyl music and the company of friends and enthusiasts.

As a special treat, Impossible staffer Josie Keefe has compiled a time lapse of MOMENTUM’s installation, to show how much hard work goes into our exhibitions in order make sure attendees are instantly gratified!

Thank you to all who attended, and congratulations to the artists. MOMENTUM will be on display at the Impossible Project NYC Space during regular open hours: Monday through Friday 11am–7pm and on Weekends 12pm–5pm until June 26th. Don’t miss your chance to see it!

TIMELESS IN AN INSTANT! Impossible is proud to team up with Holden – the modern, independent outerwear brand – and to announce an online photo competition: Timeless in an Instant.

We cordially invite YOU to submit your favorite instant memories for a chance to win the opportunity to be included in four worldwide Holden x Impossible exhibitions this coming Fall. To activate this project, Holden has already chosen 10 renowned photographers – YOU now have a chance to fill the last open spot on the team.

Enter now for a chance to to win more prizes including Holden and Impossible swag and features on the Holden and Impossible blogs!

SUBMIT YOUR IMAGES UNTIL May 25, 2012
Click here for all details & good luck!

Maurizio Galimberti @ Meet the Impossible Photographer, 3 March 2012, Vienna, Austria. Photo by Eva Mühlbacher

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We are excited to present and invite you to a new global Impossible talks series: Meet the Impossible Photographer introduces you to inspiring contemporary photographers passionate about working with Impossible film. These unique meet and greet sessions will allow you to directly learn from professionals, and the photographers will be on hand for an in-person Q&A – ask them all your Impossible questions and get a glimpse behind their work and experiences!

Maurizio Galimberti held the first of our upcoming Meet the Impossible Photographer events last Saturday, March 3 in Vienna. You have the chance to join this inspiring session on the following dates:

16 MARCH
@ Impossible Partner Store Barcelona ->click for details

31 MARCH
@ Impossible Booth at Photoshow Rome -> click for details

MAY (tba)
@ Impossible Project Space NYC (tba)

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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Just last night, we celebrated the opening reception of MOMENTUM at The Impossible Project NYC Space. To commemorate the event, we’re excited to begin a new series to the Impossible Blog, Artist in Residence! Every so often, we’ll feature an artist currently showcased in an exhibition in the NYC Space, delving deeper into their interpretation of the theme of the show and how they went about making the images included. This installment features the dreamy filter techniques of Clay Lipsky, who was kind enough to explain his techniques and experiences with the new PX70 Color Shade:

“When the Impossible Project invited me to shoot my interpretation of  “Momentum” I thought of a place full of life & movement…the beach. Having spent most of my life in Florida and California, beach culture is very close to my heart. I was inspired to capture the sunny spirit and frenetic energy set amongst the iconic palm trees and sea gulls. Additionally I wanted to do it in a style reminiscent of the classic poster art from “The Endless Summer.” The latest incarnation of Impossible’s PX 70 Color Shade was very stable and provided consistent exposures, so I decided to push it by utilizing colored filters to tint my exposures and make my images as graphic as possible…”

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Hello, fellow shooters, and welcome back to Viewfinder! This week, we train our lens on west coast student, computer tech specialist and photographer Erin McGuire…

“I live on the western edge of the Mojave desert in the Palmdale/Lancaster part of Los Angeles county. It’s a diverse community with some areas being very well off financially and others that are literally living in the dirt. The area gets used by Hollywood quite often so there is a rich movie history here as well. The landscape is as diverse as the community because we are situated where the desert meets the mountains. There are oak trees mixed with Joshua trees, bobcats mixed with mountain lions and Mojave rattlers mixed with western diamond backs. The strange beauty of this place inspires me to shoot on a daily basis but it was Impossible Project film that got me moving in a fine art direction.

I have a deep, emotional connection with the land that I formed as a young child when we’d go camping in this area. Impossible Project film with its mysterious artifacts and its sensitivity to light creates images that, for me, embody the spiritual connection I have with the land. I’ve used PX 100 Silver Shade, PX 70 Color Shade, PX 600 Silver Shade, and PZ 600 Silver Shade. Impossible film is my film of choice for photographing this land and its inhabitants. I also love to shoot the Paul Giambarba Polaroid Chocolate film, which I also got from The Impossible Project, for the same reasons.

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Greetings, Viewfinder fans. We are proud to present you with a shiny new entry, this week featuring San Francisco photog Danny Sanchez…

“Hello instant film friends! My name is Danny Sanchez and I am an instant film photographer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Like many who grew up in the 1980s, I have fond memories of my parents pulling out the family Polaroid Sun 600 to capture important moments from my childhood. I never expected those happy moments would later resurface and ignite a passion for instant film in my adult years.

In the process of getting to know the new instant films by the Impossible Project, I have photographed many subjects from toys to botanicals, and experimented with multiple exposures. My latest direction has taken me into the night. While experimenting with night photography, it reminded me of one of my favorite college assignments, “the color of night.” This assignment opened my eyes to the magic of night photography, by seeing the effects of mixing available light, and exposing the mysteries in the shadows with long exposures. The question I asked myself, “what would happen if I brought the magic of instant film and night photography together?”

Image by By Niki

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Continuing our collaboration with ACE Hotels through an exhibition in NYC and our Limited Edition PX 600 Silver Shade UV+ film, ACE has been hosting an online photo contest, selecting new winners every month! ACE is collecting submissions of everyday and exalted Impossible images at an ever-evolving gallery located at acehotel.com/impossible. ACE’s ad hoc panel of romantics and analog enthusiasts will then co-curate a physical gallery show at Ace Hotel New York next fall, comprised of selected shots from this growing community gallery.

Congratulations to the most recent selected photographers of the ACE contest!

December 2011:
Andrea Buia, Judith Kyvik, Gregory Bencivego, Frederik Holmér and Morgane Santamarianova – enjoy your Pink Martini’s Joy To The World holiday record!

January 2012:
Weronika Gajda aka By Niki – enjoy your limited PX Gold Edition Set from Impossible!

Peruse the winners of the past two months here, then check out the growing collection and pick your favorites or submit your own for a chance to win!

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Hello again, Impossible friends! Our current entry turns our Viewfinder on NYC-based Brittany Hollis…

“My project is an ongoing one, there isn’t a set theme or thread running through it, just things that strike my interest and inspire me to snap a photo. I have a small but growing collection of Polaroid cameras, and I try to incorporate them into daily life as much as my digital camera. I’m really a pain to take pictures with, I normally go out with the digital, Polaroid, phone, and recently disposables as well.

I was born in the Midwest, raised on the East Coast, and travel constantly for work (I model). All the traveling gives me new places to go photo- and camera-hunting, which is great. My favorite place to take pictures though, is around my parents’ home in Berks County, Pa. Their house is surrounded by woods, horse farms, vineyards, and a small river – there’s always something interesting going on or some beautiful scene to capture.

I’ve always been very into instant photography, from the time my dad would snap pics of my sister and I as children, and then hand them to us so we could watch them develop. Back when I started modeling, the agents would take Polaroids of the girls to send out to clients, and casting directors would take snaps of models at castings as a reference to what we “really” look like. I got my first Polaroid camera in 2008 after goofing around in my NY agency’s office with my bookers — I was hooked!

Gary Baseman

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POLAROID and IMPOSSIBLE present
INSTANT REVOLUTION

To celebrate the collaboration between Polaroid and Impossible, The Impossible Project NYC Space will host a very special group exhibition dedicated to showcasing five of the world’s freshest contemporary photographers. For more than 60 years, the instant image has been a revolutionary aspect of how artists create, consider and define analog photography. The five artists featured in INSTANT REVOLUTION all take different approaches to illustrating their relationship with analog photography.

Featuring photos captured with the last original Polaroid Spectra film production run from 2008, one of the first products introduced as part of the Polaroid Classic line, five of the world’s most dynamic and contemporary artists have contributed to INSTANT REVOLUTION: Gary Baseman, James Franco, Maripol, Mary Ellen Mark and Jennifer Juniper Stratford. INSTANT REVOLUTION will be shown at The Impossible Project Space NYC from February 9 to March 23 2012 and on our official website. The Opening Reception will take place on February 9 from 6pm to 9pm, in the presence of the artists and with refreshments provided.

POLAROID and IMPOSSIBLE present
INSTANT REVOLUTION
at The Impossible Project Space NYC

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…

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Analog instant film has been an integral part of the fashion world for decades. For this installment of our “Viewfinder” series, our featured photographer Jorge Valle sheds light on how Impossible films can not only refresh a photographer’s attitude, but also help communicate a unique style in an industry so dominated by digital photography.

“I’m 29 and I live in Madrid, Spain, but I’m moving to London in a few months. I work as a graphic designer, but my big passion is photography. That’s the reason why I left my job in Madrid and moved to New York City, where I spent the last three months of 2011 taking some courses and workshops at the International Center of Photography. While I was in the Fashion Photography course I noticed that almost every picture was taken with digital cameras, and at that time I was a little bit tired of digital. I needed to make something different. So inspired by my teacher Andrea Blanch, who always wanted us to go further, I created for my last assignment a fashion editorial with pictures taken with Impossible Film. And the result was exactly what I wanted, something fresh, natural and with attitude. It’s funny how instant film is considered something refreshing now, when it was so common in the fashion industry not so long ago!

More after the jump…

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This past Thursday, we were so grateful to celebrate the opening of Oskar Landi’s Also in India exhibition at the NYC Space! With his debut show at Impossible, Landi portrays the country through dry image transfers of original Type 679 Polaroid film, revealing imperfections and faint colors reminiscent of early photographic processes and hand coloring techniques. Attendees took in the many textures of India as portrayed by the artist and enjoyed delicious artisan chocolate from FINE & RAW!

Those wishing to see the exhibition may visit the Impossible NYC Space any time during store hours: Monday through Friday 11am–7pm and on Weekends 12pm–5pm until February 9th. Thanks so much (and congratulations!) to Oskar and everyone who attended!

Jimmy Pardo

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You’ll find Rick DeMint, founder of Portroids and his Spectra camera behind every red rope and at every press conference worth photographing. For this installment of our “Viewfinder” series, we take a look at only a few of the thousand (!) instant images he’s shot of inspiring personalities over the past decade.

“My name is Rick DeMint and for over 8 years I have been documenting my life and the people I’ve met by taking Polaroid portraits of them and having the photos autographed. I call them portroids and have collected almost 1,400 so far. From my home in Fort Collins, Colorado, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to travel to many places and I always make sure to have my Polaroid Spectra camera with me, plenty of film, and a Sharpie. I enjoy attending film festivals, comedy events, theater, and just seeing who I may meet by exploring various cities.

In association with the comedy podcast Never Not Funny, for the past two years I have taken portroids (Polaroid portraits) backstage at their 12 hour marathon podcast Pardcast-A-Thon. For this year’s event I exclusively used the Impossible Project PZ600 UV+ Silver Shade Black Frame film to take portraits of each of the guests, the hosts, and associated crew.

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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Photobooth, the world’s only Tintype and Polaroid portrait studio, exhibited our good friend and fellow Impossible photographer Brandon Long last Friday, January 6th, and Brandon has been kind enough to share a sneak peek of his SX-70 shots with those of us that couldn’t be in San Francisco!

See more of Brandon Long’s dreamy portraits on his flickr!

Amassing four separate worldwide journeys over the past decade, Oskar Landi translates multiple communities of India with a unique visual language, when discovery through spoken word was insufficient. Landi was born and raised in Italy and has lived and worked in New York since 1998. His personal projects have been recognized by the International Photo Awards and Prix de la Photographie Paris as well as numerous publications worldwide.

On Thursday, January 12th, Oskar Landi’s “Also in India” opens on the south wall at The Impossible Project Space NYC. With “Also in India,” Landi portrays the country through dry image transfers of original Type 679 Polaroid film, revealing imperfections and faint colors reminiscent of early photographic processes and hand coloring techniques. Conditions such as uncontrollable humidity, heat, dust and expired photographic chemicals caused unexpected but enchanting consequences even for the artist. The resulting exhibition is a visual introduction to the rich cultures of India dependent on Landi’s astounded curiosity.

Oskar Landi – Also in India
At The Impossible Project Space NYC
January 12, 2012 – February 9, 2012

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…