Sunday, April 13, 2008


As many of you know, Polaroid has shut its doors, perhaps for good. There are plenty of reasons, as far as I’m concerned, that this is terribly wrong. Last summer while on vacation at the family beach house, I brought one of my Polaroid cameras (the SX-70) and a stack of various expired films (Time Zero, sx-70, and something I’ve never found since, called “700”.) The combination of the old camera, instant film, (expired, old and worn at that!) and a foggy location led to some of the most dreamy photos I have ever made. Most did not truly ‘come out’ beyond a very overly exposed, faint image amidst a sea of cream. But it was these which I worked with; doing what I call ‘scanning the heck outta them’ in order to drag out, kicking and screaming (some with ghosts of the past) any sort of detectable image; and one which often appeared frightening, surreal, or downright ancient. One of the photos is so hard to believe came from a camera at all...had I not taken it myself, I am sure I'd be completely skeptical.

I thought the processing for the web was difficult…heck no. The processing for something ready-to-print was another animal altogether, as much of what I have prepared to see online tends to print out quite darkly. So the necessary adjustments are what I’ve been working on, and it’s starting to come together. (These are printed out on 8.5x11 inch photo rag paper.) Eventually I am going to do some books of these spooky dreams. At least for myself, and in this small way, I am continuing to give reason and validity to this wonderful film I don't want to believe is really going away.


[These photos will soon all be for sale in the smacshop]

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those came out amazing.

Your work is cool. I've added you to my blogroll.

sMacThoughts said...

woohoo, thanks Kat!

the LaNd of fOrGoTtEn dReAmS said...

OMG say it's not so! I know I have been taking a long rest from my photography because of no darkroom issues BUT.... Not polaroid! 1st my fugi then my forte fortezo (GOD I loved that paper! talk about ghostly quality!!!) now this..... What will be left???
and what very cool images! they have a delight almost presence you can just feel.... can't wait to see how it all comes out!

Jenna said...

These shots are amazing. I too agree that Polaroid should not be shutting down.

sMacThoughts said...

Thanks Jenna....if you need something for your walls, remember me! :)

Diana said...

Oh my. I had no idea about Polaroid closing its doors. That would be an absolute shame.

Damn.

Those pictures. Wow. Riveting. The one on the far-right made the hairs on my arms stand on end. This is a very good thing. I believe I need to own that and put it in my office. Will you kindly send me a convo when you put it in your shop? My head's not at its peak these days, and I'm likely to forget but remember something trivial. I don't want to forget!!!

sMacThoughts said...

Headed over there now to convo you!

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