Polariffic

I got a Polaroid OneShot this past weekend at a yard sale for $3. I've been interested in getting a Polaroid just for fun, so I couldn't pass up a bargain. However, it uses 600 film, which Polaroid doesn't make anymore (of course, Polaroid doesn't make any instant film anymore) and the Fuji instant film won't fit. That just left The Impossible Project.

If you haven't heard of The Impossible Project, you should check it out http://www.the-impossible-project.com/. They bought a factory with all of the production equipment from Polaroid when they went bankrupt, but had to redo all the chemistry from scratch for the film. With some help from Ilford, they succeeded. It still has some issues (mostly stability), but it's still pretty cool stuff. On the downside, it is a bit pricey.

Here is my first shot with the camera, using PX600 Silver Shade.

"WandE", Polaroid OneShot, Impossible Project PX600 Silver Shade

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Shhhh ...

W. was sleeping so peacefully, just like a newborn, even though he's
over nine months old now.

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Fun with IR

On a recent trip to California, I tried out some digital infrared (IR) photography for the first time.  All it involves is a IR filter, like a Hoya 72, a tripod and some patience.  If you're using an unmodified digital camera, like I did, you just have to use fairly long exposures (30 sec - 1 min) since the manufacturers place a "hot filter" to specifically block IR.  These long exposures are also why a tripod is pretty much a necessity.

After taking the photo, you pretty much have two options (1) convert to black and white or (2) do some additional tweaking for a color IR image.  

If you convert to black and white you don't have to worry about fixing the color balance due to the red IR filter.  As you might expect with a deep red filter, the images are very contrasty and greens (like trees and grass) will be white and blue skies will be darker.

Going the color route, it's handy if you have a sample shot with a white card of some sort, then you can just use the auto white balance in tools such as iPhoto or Aperture.  If that's all you do, you'll be left with something similar to the first image below. Again, the greens are white (though mine have a bit of a blue overcast) and the blue skies are darkened.  If you want something a bit more dramatic you can go one step further and switch the red and blue channels using something such as Photoshop (as in the second photo).

All in all, I was pretty happy with the experiment, and can't wait to do some more IR photos this summer, especially of Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum.

"Japanese Tea Garden 1", Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

"Japanese Tea Garden 2", Golden Gate Park, San Francisco.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

 "The Lone Pine", Pebble Beach, CA.  Nikon D80, 18-55mm, Hoya R72

 

 

 

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Little W.

I have to admit, I haven't been taking as many film pictures lately, I finished my last roll off over Christmas.  I did get some nice shots of the wife's family and the kids.  This is one of my favorites from the set.

"LIttle W" Taken with Nikon FG, 50mm f/1.8, Kodak 125PX film

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Four Step Program

You know how blogs go.

Step 1: You think, "everyone else has a blog, I should try that."
Step 2: You actually start a blog, and post religiously for a week.
Step 3: Three months later you remember you had a blog, but can't quite remember the address or password.
Step 4: You decide to renew your vows with said blog.

Welcome to my Step 4.

Here are some pictures I shot with the Holga back in November on the Campus at the University of Dayton. Shot on Arista EDU film, processed with Microphen, but totally screwed up the mixture, making it 1+4, instead of 1+3. I tried to compensate with the development time and ended up with something passable. Of course, if anyone else asks, I didn't mess up, I was "experimenting."

"Saints 3," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

"Saints 1," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

"Saints 2," University of Dayton 11102009 (Holga 120N, Arista EDU)

See and download the full gallery on posterous

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