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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 Leonie Wise who traveled to Cornwall this past December and brought along some Impossible film…

We arrive just as the light is fading. It’s raining and all I can hear is the sea, hurling itself on the stones of the beach, the wind hurling itself around our little cabin and the furious drumming of rain on the roof. It’s cold and getting dark, but still, we lean ourselves out the window to get closer to the sounds and smells without getting wet. We are rewarded with the sight of two or three bats, darting around outside the window, feeding on whatever is out there in the gathering darkness.

We’ve got a week of holidaying on Cornwall’s shipwreck coast. It’s some of the best surfing in England. This coastline is the real 50 Shades of Grey.

Every morning, the first thing I do is raise the blinds and look out the window. The view always the same, yet always a new colour in the sky or the waves. Some mornings we are alone here, others the tide is low and the waves are right and there are from 1-15 surfers out in the surf at the south end of the bay.

The rock formations on this coast are magnificent: some jut out of the sea like the hulls of shipwrecks; some lie close to the shore, like the skeletal remains of some beached marine creature; others stick out of the roiling waters like needle-sharp teeth. Beautiful to look at, dangerous to navigate in a boat.

Some days the weather is so stormy that we stay inside all day, gazing out the windows at the foaming seas. Other days, we venture out… A walk on ‘our’ beach or one nearby, a churchyard, the coastal path. On this coast, the prevailing wind is so strong that all the trees grow sideways.

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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 Juli Werner, who recently visited New York City and brought along some Impossible film…

At the end of last year, my husband and I took a quick trip to New York City. It wasn’t our first time visiting, but it was our first time back in almost 8 years. Since we figured we couldn’t make up for 8 years gone in 3 days, we picked out a few things that we absolutely had to do and left the rest up to chance. Our main mission: visit the Impossible Project.

I packed light for the trip, taking one Spectra camera and my trusty SX-70 Alpha 1 SE. It was hard to decide on films. I planned on buying some there, but I also wanted to use up some of my stash. I ended up taking PX 70 Cool, PX 100 UV+ Silver Shade test film, PX 70 Color Protection and an older pack of PZ 600 UV+ Silver Shade Black Frame. I took the Mint Flash bar along as well and it came in handy for taking some photos of friends. While we were at the Impossible Project, I bought some of the new PZ 680 Color Protection which I promptly starting shooting and totally fell in love with it.

The weather was sunny and not too cold; perfect for shooting Impossible films! I put most shots into an inside coat pocket which worked quite well for keeping the film warm but not overheating it. All the Impossible films are great for New York City. The new color protection films were a breeze to use and I was amazed by the true-to-life color, even when using the flash with the PZ 680. The silver shade films, especially the black frame, were great for capturing a timeless feeling especially when shooting architecture.

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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 Jill Auville, who recently visited Stockholm and brought along some Impossible film…

In the month of May 2012, I traveled to Stockholm, Sweden to visit my family there. I brought my Spectra SE and SX-70 with me, and I had a 680 SLR waiting for me in Stockholm (purchased on a Swedish auction site through my brother ).

I had 2 large ziplock bags jam packed with instant film, 80% of it from The Impossible Project (PX 70 COOL, PX 680 COOL, PX 680 Beta film, PX 600 UV+ Black Frame, PZ 600 UV+ Black Frame and PZ 680 ColorShade) (I had been stocking up forever for this trip).

I spent about 10 days in and around Stockholm and Uppsala, and these are some of the images captured on Impossible film.

About Jill

I live in northern California with my husband, 3 dogs, 2 cats and a parrot. I am an amateur photographer and I also collect cameras, I have around 100 as of right now (all film).

Thanks to Jill for taking part in Analog Travelog! To see more of her photography, please visit jillauville.deviantart.com/.

If you’ve recently taken a trip on which you shot some Impossible photos or plan on taking one soon, please shoot us an email at usa@theimpossibleproject.com

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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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Hi friends, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This issue, we’re happy to bring you Oregon native Rich Burroughs…

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

The main one is an Image 1200i, it’s one of the Spectra cameras with an LCD. I’m really enjoying the Spectra aspect ratio lately, it feels very cinematic, so that one is getting most of the work. I have a bunch of others though. A couple of SX-70s, a 180, some 600 cameras, a Clincher, and backs for my Hasselblad and Holga.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

It’s that magic of seeing the images develop. I work a lot with models and they really enjoy seeing the images come to life, it gives them a lot of confidence when they see that we nailed a shot. And it’s nice to be looking at a finished print. When I shoot digital, there are images that look great on the LCD but don’t work when I see them on my monitor.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

We had Polaroids when I was a kid, my dad was into photography and they were so common. Polaroid and Kodak are the two brands that really dominated photography in my childhood.

Photo by Dave Knapik

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Happy Sunday, friends! Welcome back to Impossible’s Sunday Brunch, our weekly series in which we showcase 5 warm and fuzzy images that caught our eye over the course of the week. This week, we are all about Neon! Please enjoy these luminous Impossible photos…

Photos come to us from Dave Knapik, Toby Hancock, Sean Caudill, Nick Leonard and Kumiko Sekiguchi, and were taken using the following film types: PX 70 Color Protection Film, PX 680 Cool and PZ 680 Cool.

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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Hi there, friends. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our popular instant film Q&A series. This week, we’re happy to bring you creative wizard and all-arounnd nice guy Patrick Winfield…

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

I currently am using the Macro 5 SLR, Spectra and the SX-70.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

The “Thing-ness” of it. That the photo is a direct object of a memory – a tangible memory that can be held immediately and further manipulated as it develops or ‘lives on‘… that quality of being an instant artifact which can be further manipulated to play up the materiality of the medium is what attracts me to the film.

3) What is your earliest memory of instant film?

It was a picture of a dead man. Then the film was sucked back into the camera and the whole time I took pictures of things with my polaroid and tattooed myself to help figure out what happened in my life since I had some sort of amnesia…or was that the plot of Memento?

Photo by Andrea Jenkins

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Hello instanteers and welcome back to Sunday Brunch, where we share spectacular photos taken with Impossible film that have caught our eye over the course of the week.

This week’s issue is very special. We invited you to keep Polaroid Week 2012 alive for an extra week by submitting your favorite Impossible photos to our Roid Week Gallery. Our intention was to select our 5 favorite photos, with the winners receiving a special Impossible film package. Well, with so many fantastic submissions, we had a hard time deciding on just 5, so we chose 9!

Winning photos come from Andrea Jenkins, Linda Nielsen, Juli Werner, Nicholas Misciagna, Moko Chen, Heather Champ, Frank Zierenberg, Cromwell Schubarth and Matt Dicke using the following Impossible film types: PX 70 Cool, PX 680 Cool, PZ 680 Cool, PZ 600 UV+ Black Frame and PX 600 UV+ Grey Frame.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of the wonderfully talented Impossible photographers out there who took part!

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

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

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

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

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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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After some testing here at Impossible, we’ve come to realize our latest version of the new PZ 680 COOL film has some unique properties that we thought we should address. Here’s Dr. Love…

Some of the conventional wisdom that has come to be associated with how to work with our films, may actually lead to making your images look worse instead of better. Some things we want to point out are…

1. The film is NOT fast, as we originally reported. It actually tests a little slow. It is however VERY sensitive in opacification failure, EVEN with the use of a Frog Tongue. Be very careful to shield completely!
2. If you have tried adjustments to counteract blown highlights and crushed blacks (little latitude and range), there are some things that you might be doing that actually compound the problem.

The Polaroid 1200si camera was first released in 2000, with an updated rounded body, as opposed to the square body of the earlier Spectra System cameras. Additionally, it differs from earlier Spectra models in that the film counter counts upward rather than downward and it was designed for compatibility with the foreign-market 12-exposure “1200” film pack.

The Polaroid 1200si features a 3-element 125mm “Quintic” plastic lens, electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure automatic focus using Polaroid’s Sonar AF system, focus distance indicator in viewfinder which can be set for feet or meters, built-in electronic flash, a built-in self timer and a socket for electronic remote control. The Polaroid 1200si is silver in color, with navy blue trim.

The Polaroid 1200si works with all of Impossible’s PZ films. For a complete selection of compatible films, please click HERE

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Recently, our good friend Chloe Aftel attended Coachella to shoot for Spin Magazine. While there, she also captured some beautiful, dreamy shots using Impossible PZ 680 film

Chloe says, “Using the new Impossible films at Coachella was a real pleasure. From the overcast days to the bright sunlight, I got nothing but extraordinary colors. The film really creates its own atmosphere that only enhances the lighting conditions of the day.”

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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.

Polaroid released the Spectra System in the early 1980s. It functioned similarly to Polaroid’s 600 cameras but utilized a new wide-format film. Spectra cameras also offered additional features such as a self-timer and a socket for electronic remote shutter control.

Spectras sport a 125mm 3-element “Quintic” lens, programmed auto exposure, sonar auto focus, focus distance indicator in viewfinder and a built-in electronic flash. Spectra film initially came with 10 shots per pack, but this was increased to 12 in some markets. Spectra film was also known as 1200 or Image film outside of North America.

Spectra cameras are compatible with any of Impossible’s PZ series films, including PZ 680 Color Shade film and PZ 600 Silver Shade Black Frame film

(More after the jump!)

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Hello again from 8 Exposures! This week, we’re highlighting Maryland Event Planner and photo genius Jessica Hibbard Elenstar!

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

A: My collection is always expanding, but my favorites are SX-70s, Spectra ProCams, and Super Shooters. I always have at least two of each in case one breaks, and multiple cameras also come in handy for shooting different film types at the same time.

2) Q: Why do you like instant photography?

A: I’m drawn to the beauty of vintage cameras, the warmth of film, and the uniquely imperfect nature of each image. Even “bad” polaroids are good, and a nice reminder for a control freak like myself to be open to surprises.

3) Q: What is your earliest memory of instant film?

A: My grandmother’s Spectra camera. I still remember her opening the crinkly silver package of film. She insisted on taking a picture of the entire family at the dinner table when we were all together, so there are many vintage shots of me as a kid with food in my mouth.

(More after the jump!)

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The “Impossible Project NYC Space” : http://shop.the-impossible-project.com/stores/spaces/ny’s Advent Deals continues this week! Last chance to stock up on gift deals! Here are the details…

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Hello, 8 Exposures fans! This week, the star of 8 Exposures is Bay Area Dog Portrait Aficionado Jesse Freidin…

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

A: This is a dangerous question, because I am a collector. I own about 30 Polaroid cameras, all salvaged for around $5 from various yard sales over the past 10 years. Most of them are retired, littered throughout my apartment in some sort of display. But many of them work perfectly. My two favorites are the Spectra Image (which I now shoot exclusively with Impossible Film), and the Land Camera 103. They smell good, they feel good, they are like extensions of my body. If my house were burning down, I’d be the jerk with singed hair and 30 instant cameras around my neck.

2) Q: Why do you like instant photography?

A: Instant photography was my first love, and I fell hard. There is something so powerful about making the images in your head exist in the real world, and instant photography has always articulated my personal vision perfectly. As a photographer dedicated to analog means, I will never let go of the physical interaction I have with my cameras and film.

(More after the jump!)

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The title of “Impossible King of Las Vegas” belongs to Nick Leonard. His shots of the strip are stunning and beautifully capture the city’s long history. As Nick has been compiling photos of hotels and motels all over the Southwest for some time now, we thought he’d make for a great Viewfinder feature:

“I live in Las Vegas, NV and I am 18 years old (19 in Jan.). I began taking photographs in 2006 with a little point & shoot and progressed to a Nikon D40 that my mom bought me for Christmas. Soon after acquiring the Nikon, I found myself shooting lots of concerts for a local rock magazine. In my downtime, I also explored around town and shot whatever caught my interest.

One day while browsing through Flickr, I ran across many Polaroid-related groups and discussions with people stressing over Polaroid closing their film division. It’s unfortunate that such negative news spiked my interest in instant photography! After acquiring my first Sun 600 (another x-mas gift), I was hooked. The Polaroid bug bit me hard and I have a crazy range of instant cameras varying from many integral film cameras to pack film cameras. Finding the Impossible Project on the web and the variety of film they offer truly fanned the flames, not only for me but also my beloved Polaroid cameras, and I really appreciate their loyalty in keeping instant film alive.

(More after the jump!)

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Welcome to another thrilling episode of 8 Exposures, our new interview series highlighting interesting people using Impossible film. This week we talked with Oregon-based instant film magicians His & Hers (Dave Tuttle and Whitney Johnson)…

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

Hers: Between the two of us, we have a lot of cameras. We actually have an entire closet devoted to cameras, accessories and film.

His: The cameras are in various working conditions, of course. I think we probably have only 30-40 total. There are more than a few that could probably stand to be donated for parts.

Hers: Ha! Only 30 or 40.

His: Yeah, it is a bit ridiculous considering we really only use the same ones over and over again.

Hers: I love my SLR 680. It has a tiny hole in the bellows that I have to tape every few months, a burn mark on the sonar from where I attempted to dislodge a piece of stuck straw with a lighter (note to others: this is not a good idea) and the entire top cover melted off on a Caribbean cruise (seriously), but it still works like a champ. It is the best $75 I’ve ever spent.

(More after the jump!)

Brian Henry

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The results are in and the results are scary. We’ve been overwhelmed with your spooky double exposures in our halloween challenge

Congrats to our winners. Not only to they get endless fame and fortune, each of them will receive packs of PZ600 so they can keep the double exposures coming.
1st Place : Brian Henry
2nd Place: Jena Ardell
3rd Place: Cass Cameron

Honorable Mention:
Johnniemay
Violet Allen
Ludwig West

Just because the contest is over doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. Check out our challenge photo gallery and get inspired to create your own impossible double exposures. Scroll down and check out our tutorial to learn how to do easy double exposures on your spectra camera.