Technique Thursday: impossible project

I’ve loved instant film my entire life. I remember being obsessed with watching Polaroids develop when I was a little kid, and thinking it was magic. When The Impossible Project set out to make film for Polaroid cameras, they took on, well, an impossible task. And man did they succeed. The new generation of instant film from them allows us to play with that sense of nostalgia while creating instant images that are truly beautiful. There is a warmth and depth to these photos that just makes my heart beat a little faster. The submissions we received this week blew my mind, and I’m so excited to share the work of all these artists.

Ashley Kelemen

I shoot PX680 Impossible Project film on my (recently purchased) SX-70 Sonar Onestep. Since I don’t have an ND filter yet for this camera, I’ve been rotating the exposure dial all the way to dark, as this camera is made for 100 speed film.

Jeremiah and Rachel Photography

These are from a recent session we did with two local musicians. They were shot on a Folding SX-70 SLR, on PX70 color protection film. It was overcast and I’ve found this film to work best in really flat light.

Also I kept them under my arm for the first 10min of developing to get the warm tones.

Hannah Mayo Photography

This self portrait taken with Impossible PX 70 Color Protection film and a Polaroid SX-70 that belonged to my grandfather. I propped the camera in the grass and focused first, then got into the frame and carefully released the shutter with one hand.

Cindy Loughridge

I used the SX-70 with PX70 film. I was shooting in even light, and didn’t make any adjustments with the Dark or Light knob. I recently spoke with an Impossible USA rep and asked if there were any tricks with shooting the SX70 and new Color Safe film, he said he adjusted one notch toward the Light knob and hoped for the best. I always hope for the best.

En Pointe Photography

Here’s an Impossible PX680 shot I took of a band I was shooting. The band is Daniel Ellsworth and The Great Lakes. The shot was taken on a Polaroid 600 camera outside a drive through discount beer and tobacco shop.

Ryan Johnson Photography

Camera: Polaroid Spectra 1200

Film: Impossible Project PZ 600 Silver Shade COOL

Shot in an indoor natural light studio/stairwell

Ewa M Bakrac

Shot with a Polaroid 600 using PX680 color protection film

Monika Elena Kost

shot on an SX-70 with lots of warm light

 

Kristin Genna

Shot on Impossible Project PX680 Color Protection film with a Polaroid 600 camera in bright sun

We also received a couple incredible double exposure submissions…

Kiera Haddock

I have been shooting/experimenting with Impossible film for a few years now. In that time I have grown a special fondness and appreciation for double exposing the film with my Polaroid Spectra. The film is silver shade PZ 600 from Impossible. I love it.  The sepia tones create an instant nostalgic feel and a warmth that is so beautiful. For this self portrait, I used a tripod and the cameras self timer, going back to the camera and resetting in between each exposure.

Teresa Heath

Double exposure shot on Polaroid Spectra with PZ 680 Color Protection. I set the exposure slightly to dark to compensate for the film being exposed twice.

We will be continuing our instant film theme next week, including an interview and some images from Chris Kale of Snap It See It! All of our featured artists today have been automatically entered into a contest that is soon to be announced, so stay tuned…