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April 2012

1
No. 352

Kids by Monika Elena Kost

Marlene Kelnreiter | 417 days ago

Monika Elena Kost is a kids photographer from San Francisco, currently living in Denmark and working throughout Europe.

Being attracted to anything in photography that allows her to show lightness and sun and a poetic feeling, Monika started using vintage polaroid film about 6 years ago and has recently started loving the new Impossible films as well.

Monika’s latest images were created for NORO Paris, a French clothing line. Also, she has currently her own show combination vintage polaroids with new Impossible film in Berlin.

Learn more about Monika on her site.

2
No. 350

Booked Out

Marlene Kelnreiter | 416 days ago

Booked Out is the debut feature by Glaswegian filmmaker Bryan O’Neil. An indie drama following Ailidh, who has two loves in this world: spying on her neighbours (using amongst others Polaroid camera) and writing graphic novels.

Booked Out was premiered March 6, Henry Barnes of The Guardian says: “Ailidh’s world view is infectious. You find yourself lead down into this kooky kerfuffle with a genuine, if bemused, sense of affection.”

Click for further screening dates.

No. 354

WORK IN PROGRESS RECAP!

Jon Campolo, | 415 days ago

Last Thursday, The Impossible Project Space NYC celebrated the opening of its first ever group staff show WORK IN PROGRESS. The exhibition showcased work by our dedicated, creative and analog obsessed staff as well as how far Impossible has come since its very first test batches and beta films. Guests experienced the entire spectrum of Impossible materials produced within the last two years, while our staff captured the event on digital and PX100UV+ with the new Mint Flash Bar. Everyone enjoyed live vinyl music, refreshments and the company of friends and fellow enthusiasts.

Thank you to all who attended, and congratulations to the artists! WORK IN PROGRESS 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 May 8th. Don’t miss your chance to see it!

No. 355

NYC SPACE UPCOMING EVENTS - APRIL 2012

Jon Campolo, | 415 days ago

Ongoing Exhibition MOMENTUM
1st of March – 26th of June 2012
A 200 square foot show of our
best and brightest new films for the
SX-70 camera. PX-70 & PX 100 UV+
images by a group of our select US
photographers.

For more info please visit:
http://www.the-impossible-project.com/projects/exhibitions/momentum

Read all
3
No. 356

Factory Shots 1/8

Factory Team | 415 days ago

Photo by Lia Sáile

1/8 The Impossible Lobby

Every morning more than 30 factory workers are passing through our beautiful 70s style entrance lobby of Building Noord (North).

Since its early days this building has been the heart of the Polaroid film production plant, housing the giant production machines.

Upon starting the Impossible Project we moved all other machinery required to start re-production of instant film into this very building. With this new and modern setup, production was downscaled from 3-4 buildings in Polaroid times to just one building.

Click here to take a virtual tour through our factory.

8 Factory Shots will present one photo a week for eight weeks.

4
No. 357

Viewfinder: J. Caldwell's "Instants Destroyed"

Patrick Tobin, | 414 days ago

Welcome back to Viewfinder, our series focusing on interesting projects involving Impossible film. For this entry, we spoke with J Caldwell

At approximately the same time the Impossible Project was taking the reigns from Polaroid, there emerged a glut of apps that would allow you to near-perfectly emulate the instant film look. We’ve all viewed the stereotypical square format instant film photo with white border, but it has become increasingly difficult to discriminate whether it was uploaded from a smartphone or the real McCoy carefully scanned and shared. I started thinking about how instant film, at least in the traditional sense, isn’t merely viewing the photo, but moreover physically passing around a a sturdy-pre-framed sliver of time is a visceral and palpable experience.

I thought that there had to be a way to unambiguously show the viewer that what they are looking at “exists” in the real world and that, upon viewing, they should immediately feel its dimensions and texture while also still being able to view the photo amidst the carnage. This is when I started my “instants destroyed” project.

I have mangled just about every film from the Impossible Project, starting with a NSFW Push! photo that I took a lighter to and a microwaved version of the 600 UV+ Silver Shade film. Not surprisingly, I find the manipulations that work best are the high energetics methods like lighters, microwaves, ovens, boiling and exposures soaked in pure alcohol and lit aflame. Perhaps my most ambitious was the hour-long soak in pure hydrochloric acid that first melted the black frame and, with a little help from razor slits into the plastic cover, slowly ate away the emulsion.

While true instant film photography, the kind you can feel, pass around, mount and mail, is becoming increasingly rarified, my aim with this project is to imbue the tactile sense of the instant film phenomenon into what is becoming more and more a purely visual medium. I can control the elements to wreak utter havoc on the exposure and…

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5
No. 358

Photoshow Rome 2012 Recap!

Marlene Kelnreiter | 413 days ago

Fabio Interra

The Impossible events at the Photoshow Rome 2012 have been a total success! Amongst 300 exhibitors and more than 80.000 visitors the beautiful Impossible booth and all analog actions that took place fascinated the visitors and continuously guaranteed a stunning crowd of amazed visitors.

Impossible is proud to have – thanks to our Italian partner Nital and the precious support of Polaroiders – attended one of the greatest Photoshows in Rome ever. A special thanks herewith also goes to Beppe Bolchi and Maurizio Galimberti for their special appearance and contribution.

No. 359

Spectra Workshop @ The Impossible Project NYC Space

Jon Campolo, | 413 days ago

Sunday, April 15TH 2012
10AM - 1PM
The Impossible Project NYC Space
425 Broadway
Floor 5
New York
NY 10013
map

UPDATE – WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED! We apologize for any inconvenience.

Spring into the Magic of Spectra!

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

In the workshop, participants will be guided through the ins and outs of the Polaroid Spectra series camera with a knowledgeable Impossible expert staffer. Workshop participants will learn introductory and intermediate techniques to master their Spectra camera including exposure, functionality, and accessories. The workshop will include an in depth overview of shooting Impossible Project film including light shielding and temperature control.

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No. 360

Unfold It!

Marlene Kelnreiter | 413 days ago

You will always hear “aahs” and “oohs” when unfolding any classic Polaroid folding SLR camera, revealing one of the most original and genius camera designs of all time. The SX-70 sports a chrome-plated plastic body and genuine leather accents as well as a 4-element 116mm f/8 glass lens, electronic shutter, a socket for flashbars or electronic flash units and a port for a remote shutter release. Enjoy the holy grail of analog instant photography and one of the most celebrated cameras in the history of photography – click here for more.

6
No. 361

8 Exposures...with Emilie Lefellic.

Patrick Tobin, | 412 days ago

Hi there. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our instant film Q & A series! This week, we bring to you Parisian photog Emilie Lefellic…

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

Mainly my 180 and my SX70 model 2, which are my two favorite cameras.

2) Why do you like instant photography?

What I love about instant photography is its completely unpredictable character, the whimsical suprises it creates whenever you click the button. I also love the fact that development takes place before your eyes and you can even influence it once you know the film. As the awesome 101 Impossible Ways Project shows, instant photography leaves infinite room for experimentation and creativity – before, while and after the picture is taken : you can decide to double-expose, use special filters, put your picture in the fridge, in the oven, write, draw, paint, stick stuff on it, create artifacts with it – I actually feel a bit like a craftswoman when I fiddle with my pictures, which is a great source of joy. But what I love above all in instant photography is the instant film itself : its colour, depth, painterly texture, its retro feel – it alters reality in a way that is surreal, dreamy and poetical to me. Somehow, it’s perfect in its many imperfections.

(More after the jump!)

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No. 362

Holden x Impossible Cycle 2 Winners!

Jon Campolo, | 412 days ago

Photo by Pierre Manning

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…

Read all
7
No. 348

The Camera Museum: Polaroid "Red Stripe" One Step Flash

Patrick Tobin, | 411 days ago

The Polaroid Red Stripe One Step Flash was first released in the early 1990s. It was similar in body style to Polaroid’s Sun 600 series but has a more advanced flash system with automatic charging, and a built-in sliding close-up lens.

The Red Stripe One Step Flash has a single-element 116mm plastic lens, fixed focus with a standard minimum focal length of 4 feet (2 feet when close-up lens is in place), electronic shutter, programmed auto-exposure system and a built-in flash.

The Red Stripe works with all of Impossible’s 600 film, which can be found HERE

To purchase your own Polaroid Red Stripe Camera Kit, click HERE

8
No. 364

The Gentleman Amateur

Marlene Kelnreiter | 410 days ago

1) The Gentleman Amateur

It was not only that name that made us curious about this photographer, but also his analog instant photography. The Gentleman Amateur is a London-based photographer and writer who remains committed to shooting instant film for as long as he possibly can.

About his favorite 7 Impossible shots he says: “I thinks that it’s fascinating to see the development of Impossible’s films through them, so here also is a key to the films they were shot with:
1) PX100 Silver Shade First Flush: “The very first film that Impossible released – it’s come such a long way since then, it’s hard to believe it’s only 2 years ago!
2) PX70 Color Shade First Flush: “The very first colour film.”
3, 4, 5) PX70 PUSH!: “Still my favourite, I think.”
6, 7) PX680 beta: “The strongest colours I’ve yet had from an Impossible film”

Click here to view more of his work.

Maggs Gallery London is currently showing his series London’s Lost Rivers until April 19.
That series of Polaroids is also published in the book London’s Lost Rivers, available from Strange Attractor Press”

9
No. 365

The 365 Project Book

Marlene Kelnreiter | 409 days ago

The 365 Project is the new book by Polaroid aficianado Nathan Matos. This marks Matos’s second year of taking one Polaroid photo a day. While any photo-a-day project is impressive, going Polaroid for two years demonstrates major dedication. Using precious Impossible film means every shot matters. Not to slight iPhoneography, but shooting with this kind of stock means each shooting opportunity must be considered carefully. And even the best shot can have random distortions of color due to the continually evolving chemistry improvements from Impossible.

Check out a preview of The 365 Project here.
Pick up a copy of the book in the Blurb bookstore.
Visit Nathan’s website for fresh images every day.”

No. 366

Dr. Love - The Importance of Being Shielded

Patrick Tobin, | 409 days ago

Hello from Impossible! Dr. Love is back with another informative post in which he revisits the importance of shielding your images…

“Some people have asked some follow up questions to our Opacification post, and as the days are getting longer, we wanted to help stress the use of Impossible Films on those bright sunny summer days.

To simply summarize the main point from the opacification post, Impossible films are still sensitive to light in the first moments out of the camera. This is because the protective layer within the film that is there to protect the film can’t yet block out enough light in many situations that it needs an outside aide.

Read all
10
No. 366

Factory Shots 2/8

Factory Team | 408 days ago

Photo by Lia Sáile

2/8 The Offices Hallway

Each floor of Building North is divided into big production, assembly and storage halls as well as into areas where you can find our offices, meeting rooms, laboratories and cafeteria.

In between you will find these long corridors that we are passing over every day in order to get from one task to the other. There is so much space that we sometimes feel like dancing or skating! Join us in doing so on our next Open House day – presumably sometime in May!

8 Factory Shots will present one photo a week for eight weeks.

No. 368

Viewfinder: Paul Reitano at Reason Rally

Patrick Tobin, | 407 days ago

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.

Read all
11
No. 369

Viewfinder: Patrick J. Clarke - "Searching for the Soul"

Patrick Tobin, | 407 days ago

Welcome back, Viewfinder fans. This week, we’re happy to bring you photographer Patrick J. Clarke

If the heart of photography is the camera, then film is its soul. Finding that unique combination of the perfect camera and perfect film is often a long process, and my current project is no different.

Early on in my exploration of film photography I was drawn towards medium format. With tons of resolving power, large negatives and amazing depth of field compared to other film formats, medium format cameras were like some sort of nirvana for me. When I purchased one of the all time medium format icons, the Mamiya RB67, I thought I had struck gold. I shot a few rolls of 120 film and was amazed at how technically perfect the camera and its lenses were. I could control the depth of field, the shutter speed and aperture exactly like I wanted. My exposures were dead on, and the images were sharp as I could want, and looked “medium format”, but they were lacking something. I wracked my brain and asked myself what were my shots missing?

They were lacking “soul”.

During this time I had also been shooting The Impossible Project Silver Shade film. I had purchased an SX-70 and had been having fun experimenting with it and the film. I loved my SX-70, but after using a camera that I had total control over…

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13
No. 371

8 Exposures...with Bradley Laurent.

Patrick Tobin, | 405 days ago

Greetings Impossibles, and welcome back to 8 Exposures, our weekly instant film Q&A series. This week, we happily present to you our interview with Californian adman and photographer Bradley Laurent

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

A: Let’s see, I split my time pretty evenly between an SX-70, an SLR 680, a Spectra Pro, and an old Polaroid 100 Land Camera. I also have closet full of various 600 and Spectra series camera that I pick up at camera shows and thrift stores.

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

A: Shooting with instant film has made me a better photographer. When I shoot with instant film, it forces me to really think about lighting and composition, much more so than when I shoot with a digital camera. Having only 8 shots in a pack of film forces you to make every shot count, and in turn, I find that the overall quality of my work improves each time I shoot. I also love the look of film in general. The Impossible films with all of their quirks and wonky-ness (is that a word) produce beautiful, one of a kind images, and I really enjoy the whole process that goes into getting just the right shot.

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14
No. 350

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 OneStep SE

Patrick Tobin, | 404 days ago

Much like Polaroid’s “The Button”, the OneStep SE is identical in features to the original non-folding SX-70 “Rainbow” OneStep. The only difference is the color scheme. Instead of a white body, the OneStep SE is a shiny black, and the shutter release button is sky blue.

The OneStep SE’s rigid plastic body and fixed focus single element 103mm f/14.6 plastic lens made it a more affordable option than the folding SX-70 models.

The OneStep SE features an electronic shutter, programmed auto exposure and a socket for flashbars or electronic flash units.

The OneStep SE works with any of the Impossible Project SX-70 films, including PX 70 Color Shade film and PX 100 Silver Shade UV+ film

16
No. 373

Submit your Image for the Dayripper

Marlene Kelnreiter | 402 days ago

The dayripper is is a tear-off calendar and a magazine for your iphone. Transferring the classic calendar feeling to your contemporary mobile device, it’s packed with thoughts, words and pictures. Where one once found pearls of wisdom, dayripper now offers gems from literature, fashion, health, the arts and Impossible images!

You are invited to submit your favorite Impossible instant images. If selected it will be presented on an upcoming day of 2012 or 2013.

Please send your
-> favourite Impossible image scan, 300 dpi., jpg
-> your name and website
-> to mail@dayripper.info
Deadline of submission is June 15, 2012.
Please note that there will be no reimbursement for usage of your photo in dayripper.

Visit and download the dayripper here.

No. 374

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: MOMENTUM'S BRIAN HENRY

Jon Campolo, | 402 days ago

Photo by Brian Henry

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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17
No. 374

Factory Shots 3/8

Factory Team | 401 days ago

3/8 Ex-Polaroid colleagues

In former times about 1100 people used to work at the former Polaroid factory in Enschede. That was back then when around 65 Mio. Polaroid film packs were produced per year in Enschede only, and 130 million packs worldwide.

This whiteboard was used to divide the department’s team members to the different machines. All of the photos are still hanging on this wall, and the spirit of all those busy people is still around, inspiring our current Impossible tasks.

8 Factory Shots will present one photo a week for eight weeks.

No. 375

THE UNIQLO X IMPOSSIBLE T-SHIRT

Marlene Kelnreiter | 401 days ago

Impossible is honored to be included in the UNIQLO Cooperate Collaboration Project T-Shirt series. Despite our youth as a company, we now join the ranks of premium worldwide brands like MoMA, Minox and MTV among many others.

UNIQLO is the leading worldwide apparel brand when it comes to the most refined, sophisticated and high quality limited edition T-Shirts. UNIQLO’s UT series features designs by inspiring artists, top designers, international musicians and a carefully hand selected premium choice of worldwide brands.

We are very happy to celebrate the worldwide T-Shirt launch by giving away free T-Shirts.

FREE T-SHIRT WITH YOUR ORDER
On all orders over 100 EUR I 129,99 USD
As long as supplies last.

18
No. 376

Viewfinder: Peter Pawlowski's Instant Antarctica

Patrick Tobin, | 400 days ago

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

19
No. 377

The new COOL line of Impossible Film

Marlene Kelnreiter | 399 days ago

We’re kicking things off in style in Spring 2012 with the inaugural launch of the new Impossible COOL film line. New Impossible films will from now on now be released bi-annually in spring and fall.

The SPRING 2012 COOL EDITION features all Impossible Color and Silver Shade film materials in their newest incarnations based on the latest findings and achievements in instant film development. The colors of this season are based on warm tones creating dreamy images, with Color Shade films producing true colors and Silver Shade films delivering classic black & white images.

Go to shop

Click for all details

No. 378

Analog Feedback Night @ The NYC Space

Jon Campolo, | 399 days ago

Thursday, April 26, 2012
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
The Impossible Project NYC Space
map

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

20
No. 380

8 Exposures...with Lou Noble

Patrick Tobin, | 398 days ago

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

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

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

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

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

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

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No. 381

PX 680 COOL by the Impossible Pioneers

Marlene Kelnreiter | 398 days ago

PX 680 COOL by James Matthew Carroll

Having discovered all Impossible aspects from the very start, the Impossible Pioneers are the first ones who get to test new film materials. End of March the pioneers were able to get their hands on the new PX 680 Color Shade film – which has now been released in the new Impossible COOL film line.
We are herewith proud to present the 5 winner images taken on PX 680 Color Shade COOL film by the Impossible Pioneers Abe Bingham, Ben Innocent, Celina Wyss, James Matthew Carroll and Lisa Duran.

Their feedback upon testing the new PX 680 COOL film?
Lisa said: “Beautifully softened tones in shadowed areas.”
Ben thinks: “A real joy to shoot. Well done Impossible! Less snakeskin and no divots with the SLR680.”
And James summarizes: “ This new PX 680 film is another brilliant impossible step forward. The fine, crisp detail is a great improvement, and the true vibrant colours are so amazing that these scans can’t do the original justice.”

Get the new PX 680 Color Shade COOL film here!

Want to become an Impossible Pioneer too? Show your pioneer spirit by buying a total of 30 films packs in any combination of our PX 70 or PX 600 Old Generation Film Bags

No. 382

HOLDEN X IMPOSSIBLE CYCLE 3 WINNERS!

Jon Campolo, | 398 days ago

Photo by Andrew Millar

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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21
No. 382

The Camera Museum: Polaroid Sun 660 AF

Patrick Tobin, | 397 days ago

The Polaroid Sun 660 Autofocus camera was first released in 1981. It is similar in style to the earlier 600 cameras, with a rigid plastic body, but the Sun 660 utilizes Polaroid’s patented Sonar Autofocus technology. The distance to the subject is calculated by firing a high-frequency sound wave that bounces back to a gold-colored receiver beside the lens. The minimum focal length for the Sun 660 is 3 feet.

The Sun 660 features a single-element 116mm, f/11 plastic lens, electronic shutter, built-in flash and Polaroid’s Light Management System, allowing the user to make exposure adjustments via a lighten/darken switch under the lens.

The Polaroid Sun 660 works with any of Impossible’s 600-series film. For a complete selection of compatible films, click HERE

To buy a Sun 660 camera kit for yourself, click HERE

22
No. 384

MORE LOVE FROM ACE HOTEL!

Jon Campolo, | 396 days ago

Photo by Jessica Reinhardt

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!

23
No. 384

Peter Lewis: The Camera

Marlene Kelnreiter | 395 days ago

The Camera is a beautiful 7-minute-long short film by amateur filmmaker Peter Lewis about a solitary girl who finds a creepy mysterious Polaroid camera in an abandoned beach house. It’s the first film Lewis has completed, he singlehandedly managed all the stages of production, including composing the original score, creating the foley sounds, and editing the film in Final Cut Pro X.

No. 385

Dr. Love's Tips - The Long Exposure

Patrick Tobin, | 395 days ago

Hello, Impossibles! Welcome back to the wonderful world of Dr. Love. Today’s topic is one that has been requested a few times: The Long Exposure…

Some people have written in either having issues with blurry images and not understanding why they were getting them, or simply asking how to make a good long exposure with Polaroid cameras.

Before you attempt this, you must understand the concept of a long exposure. When the camera is exposing the film, moving the camera can cause a motion blur. When in well-lit conditions, the exposure is so short that little movements have no effect. In lower light however, you need to be more careful, especially with SX-70s, because of the slower speed of the film.

First you need to know your camera. The easiest rule to know is that if you’re using one of the many types of standard 600 plastic box cameras, the longest exposure the camera allows is 1/4 second. This is meant to help prevent blurry images in general, but would also make trying to take a shot at night w/o flash very hard as it would be too dark.

Using an SX-70 camera or a Spectra camera, one can get longer exposures, up to a few seconds. The exact maximum can vary on specific models. First of all, this means if you’re shooting in low light, you need to be sure to steady your camera, as you will likely have a blurry image otherwise. Bracing yourself and/or your camera...Read All

No. 386

Traces of Time @ The Impossible Project NYC Space

Jon Campolo | 395 days ago

THURSDAY MAY 3RD, 2012
6PM-9PM
The Impossible Project NYC Space
map
Photo by Varial & Nadjari

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.

24
No. 387

Factory Shots 4/8

Factory Team | 394 days ago

Photo by Lia Sáile

The Chemical Lab

This is the place were the Impossible chief chemist Martin Steinmeijer and its small team of experts and helpers is performing magic, developing new recipes and formulas, creating thousand of the so-called lab-spreads and testing the new inventions.

Instant film is the challenging combination of Negative sheet, Positive sheet and developer paste. In the chemical lab different paste formulations are made, tested, discarded, invented. We search for the best formulation to get the right colors for given sheet and negative, and we work on improving the whole photographic performance.

8 Factory Shots will present one photo a week for eight weeks.

No. 388

Impossible Project Space Vienna OPENING

Sarah Jungreithmayr | 394 days ago

After our last Vienna location has become too small to celebrate all aspects of the Impossible world and to host the workshops and exhibitions, we are happy to announce the opening of the new Impossible Project Space Vienna location.

A bright and glorious new place, Vintage style with many lovely details, presenting everything Impossible as well as ongoing new exhibitions and workshops is awaiting its visitors – as well as a small but beautiful garden in the courtyard.

Check it out!

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No. 381

Viewfinder: THE FIELD RECORDINGS

Patrick Tobin, | 393 days ago

Hi again, Viewfinder viewers. Welcome back to our series focusing on interesting and creative projects that incorporate Impossible film. This week, we bring you Connecticut Noise-Pop/Neu Wave band The Field Recordings, who have put together a limited edition Album/Photobook containing Impossible images…

“So this book is part of a Limited Edition of our first album, THE ELASTIC NOSTALGIA. The First Printing is 100 hand-numbered copies (50 with a CD / 50 with a Cassette) we’re self-releasing for Record Store Day.

The book is kind of a play on our name—what would a bunch of Field Anthropologists or Hobby Scientists use to make reports from the field? An old Polaroid camera, a label maker & a typewriter… So this is supposed to be their documentation of whatever it is they’ve seen. The lyrics are transcribed like they were overheard, the instant photos, the footnotes are their analyses… The idea came to me a year ago as we were finishing up the recording. And then I just wrote down a bunch of loose general phrases that I thought related to each song, like EMPTY HOUSES, HANDS WRINGING, 1951, HUMAN CIRCUITRY/ACTUAL CIRCUITRY, ARROGANCE, that kind of thing, and gave the list to my drummer (Jared Thompson, he took photos 1d, 3a, 5c, 6d, & 9d). And then I just carried my 680 or sx-70 or Spectra around wherever I went for the next 8 or 9 months, looking for things that...Read All

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No. 390

Open House Enschede

Factory Team | 392 days ago

MAR 11, 2012
Impossible Factory
Enschede
The Netherlands
Photo by Christian Reichhold

We are happy to once more open the doors of our Impossible Factory in Enschede, The Netherlands, and give you a chance to see where all the Impossible work and development is taking place.

Dive into the analog spirit on site, the machines, the factory outlet and some members of the team!

We usually get many more requests than we have available places. Therefore we are introducing a new registration process, starting with your application.

APPLY UNTIL MAY 1>

You can also discover the Impossible Factory here>

The Factory Team is also contributing to the blog>

No. 391

PZ 600 Silver Shade COOL

Marlene Kelnreiter | 392 days ago

Following last week’s introduction of the new Impossible standard COOL Edition films, we are proud to now also release a new film for the larger Polaroid Image/Spectra system: the PZ 600 Silver Shade COOL film.

This film is made possible by the constant evolution of Impossible film development, incorporating the latest achievements and findings, producing the coolest Image/Spectra photos ever. This new film features a faster image development, more consistent image results and reduced artifacts such as mottling in dark image areas, spots or blemishes.

Go to Shop

No. 392

MAURIZIO GALIMBERTI ARTIST TALK & WORKSHOP @ THE NYC SPACE

Jon Campolo | 391 days ago

Saturday & Sunday, May 5 & 6
Sat 6-8PM & Sun 10AM-1PM
The Impossible Project NYC Space
map

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!

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No. 393

8 Exposures...with Sarah Kirkham

Patrick Tobin, | 391 days ago

Hello, fellow shooters. Welcome back to 8 Exposures, our weekly Q&A series focusing on instant film. This week’s entry brings you Sarah Kirkham…

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

A: The SX-70 is my camera of choice. I am embarrassed to admit that I have broken several through various catastrophes. I have quite the collection of broken cameras.

Q2) Why do you like instant photography?

A: There is just magic in that chemical process happening right there in my hand or back pocket as the case may be. That process imparts something beautiful to each image that wouldn’t be there otherwise. Every shot I take leaves me giddy. Even now I’m constantly trying to peek at the image as it develops.

Q3) what is your earliest memory of instant film?

A: We were one of the few families that didn’t have a Polaroid camera in the house when I was growing up. My first real experience with instant cameras and film was as a teacher. The school found a few One Steps and some 600 film. We would take very uninspired, poorly-lit photos of the children to send home. I am horrified to think of how we blew through what would have been a fortune in film. My real love for it came when I realized I kept coming back to certain images and they were all on instant film.

Q4) What’s your favorite Impossible film type?

A: My favorite impossible film right now is PX 70. Although my all time...Read All

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No. 394

The Camera Museum: Polaroid SX-70 Sonar OneStep

Patrick Tobin, | 390 days ago

As many consumers had difficulty focusing with their original SX-70s, Polaroid released an autofocus model of their folding SX-70 in 1978. The SX-70 Sonar OneStep utilized a new and very advanced sonar technology. When the shutter button is pressed halfway, a series of ultrasonic chirps is emitted from an electrostatic transducer located under a plate over the lens. These chirps travel to the subject and bounce back to the camera’s receiver, alerting the camera to the subject’s distance, and the lens is turned on a motor to focus accordingly.

The Polaroid SX-70 Sonar OneStep features a 4-element 116mm glass lens, manual or autofocus capabilities, with a minimum focal length of 10.4 inches, electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure and a socket for flashbars or electronic flashes. Another nice feature is a socket for an electrically-actuated remote shutter release.

(More after the jump!)

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No. 395

The Camera Museum: Polaroid OneStep 600 Talking Camera

Patrick Tobin, | 389 days ago

In 1997, Polaroid released possibly their most gimmicky camera: The OneStep 600 Talking Camera. The camera came with several pre-recorded messages, and could also be used to record speech (or music) which is played via a loudspeaker just before taking your photo. The sound effects can be switched off completely if preferred, which you very well may. The pre-recorded messages apparently vary according to the territory the camera was marketed in, and include American and Spanish versions. The US version’s pre-recorded messages include, “Smile, you funny person!” and “Cheese for me, cheese for you, everybody cheese-a-roo!”

Aside from the talking capabilities, the OneStep Talking Camera functions identically to the OneStep CloseUp camera. It features a single-element 116mm plastic lens, fixed focus with a minimum focal length of 4 feet (2 feet with the sliding close-up lens in place), electronic shutter, programmed automatic exposure with a sliding exposure compensation dial and built-in electronic flash.

(More after the jump!)

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No. 396

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: MOMENTUM'S THOM JACKSON

Jon Campolo | 388 days ago

Photo by Thom Jackson

For this installment of Artist in Residence, Thom Jackson shares his experience shooting with PX100 and PX70 for MOMENTUM, an exhibition currently on view on the North wall at The Impossible Project NYC Space. Interested in the instant image as a tangible object, Thom explains his struggle with lighting for an unknown emulsion, and giving in to the element of surprise:

“In my commercial work I shoot fashion and stills. I shoot digital everyday but use archival inkjet or platinum/palladium for my fine art work that I print myself. I appreciate that an Impossible print is something tangible you can touch, feel, and hold. In an age of endless digital copies it’s exciting to actually shoot something that is one of a kind…”

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No. 397

Upcoming Events @ The NYC Space - MAY 2012

Jon Campolo | 387 days ago

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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No. 385

Dr. Love's Tips - The Long Exposure

Patrick Tobin, | 395 days ago

Hello, Impossibles! Welcome back to the wonderful world of Dr. Love. Today’s topic is one that has been requested a few times: The Long Exposure…

Some people have written in either having issues with blurry images and not understanding why they were getting them, or simply asking how to make a good long exposure with Polaroid cameras.

Before you attempt this, you must understand the concept of a long exposure. When the camera is exposing the film, moving the camera can cause a motion blur. When in well-lit conditions, the exposure is so short that little movements have no effect. In lower light however, you need to be more careful, especially with SX-70s, because of the slower speed of the film.

First you need to know your camera. The easiest rule to know is that if you’re using one of the many types of standard 600 plastic box cameras, the longest exposure the camera allows is 1/4 second. This is meant to help prevent blurry images in general, but would also make trying to take a shot at night w/o flash very hard as it would be too dark.

Using an SX-70 camera or a Spectra camera, one can get longer exposures, up to a few seconds. The exact maximum can vary on specific models. First of all, this means if you’re shooting in low light, you need to be sure to steady your camera, as you will likely have a blurry image otherwise. Bracing yourself and/or your camera...Read All

No. 366

Dr. Love - The Importance of Being Shielded

Patrick Tobin, | 409 days ago

Hello from Impossible! Dr. Love is back with another informative post in which he revisits the importance of shielding your images…

“Some people have asked some follow up questions to our Opacification post, and as the days are getting longer, we wanted to help stress the use of Impossible Films on those bright sunny summer days.

To simply summarize the main point from the opacification post, Impossible films are still sensitive to light in the first moments out of the camera. This is because the protective layer within the film that is there to protect the film can’t yet block out enough light in many situations that it needs an outside aide.

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