Impossible Project PX680 Color Protection - Cancun Mexico, Airport

This is the plane we took back from Mexico. That's all, not much else to say about it. Impossible Project's PX 680 Color Protection film with ND pack filter. Shot with lighten/darken about a 1/4 turn to dark. Unshielded out of camera and developed in available light.

Impossible Project PX680 Color Protection - Cancun Mexico, Some Randoms

Of the Impossible Project film that I shot while in Mexico I still have a few random, uncategorized shots that I wanted to share. So, I figured I would just lump these couple together and give them their own post. These were all taken with an SX70 Sonar and Impossible Project's PX 680 Color Protection film. Lighten/Darken was set about 1/4 towards dark, film was unshielded out of camera and left to develop in indirect lighting conditions.

The photo at top is a little boy named Oliver that we kept running into in the resort. Almost always playing with a ball he was difficult to catch on film. As you can see, he's a little blurry from a longer shutter speed and the fact that he is indeed off chasing another ball. The other two photos (middle and bottom) are just a few more skyline/water shots that I took somewhere along the way. The middle photo was taken from the balcony of our room around sunset, and, though I wanted a brighter exposure the setting sun knocked everything down to more of a silhouette. The bottom photo, also taken from our balcony, was shot earlier in the day. Though it's slightly washed out in contrast it does capture the blues rather nicely - a color that I've often had difficulty capturing with Impossible's instant films.

That's about all for today, but, I do have a few Instax photos to post in the near future, and, after the holidays, I'm sure that I'll be getting back some of the 35mm and medium format film that I shot as well. As soon as I do, I'll be sure to share. Enjoy.

Impossible Project PX100 - Cancun Mexico

When I arrived in Mexico a little over a week ago I still had some of The Impossible Project's PX100 film in my SX70 sonar. This film has always been one of my favorite Impossible films, but, I knew it wasn't the right film type for shooting the bright, colorful landscape around the area we were staying. It was, however, very good for documenting the Resort that we were staying at.

The Iberostar Cancun, which used to be a Hilton until about a year ago, is a huge hotel and conference center with some really beautiful architectural elements to it. Shaped almost like a pyramid, the building is designed with guest rooms only one side of the building, making every room an ocean view room. The eleven floors of the space are cut directly up the center providing a really nice atrium with (i'm sure it's no surprise) a really nice, large bar. The other thing it provides, though, is some really nice lines to the building.

Again, without getting into too much detail about my trip, I will say that this was a really great resort to stay at. I don't have a lot of experience in these things to reference that statement against, but, I will say if you are ever looking into a trip to the Cancun area (or many other places for that matter) you should definitely look into the Iberostar's that are available. I can't say enough about the space, the staff, the food and everything we were provided throughout our stay.

Impossible Project PX680 Test Film V4C - Cancun Mexico

I just got back from a seven day trip to Cancun Mexico. I'm not going to bore you with details of my vacation, but, I will say that if you've never been down that way or been to an all inclusive resort, both should be on your bucket list. 

Surprisingly, I only took three cameras with me on this trip - my SX70 Sonar, my Canon Canonet GIII, and, my Mamiya 645. The majority of the film that I shot throughout was 35mm with my Canon (mostly due to how compact and portable it is) but I did get in a roll of slide film with the Mamiya and some instant photos with the Impossible Project's film and the SX70 as well. 

Today I am posting a few of the instant photos that I took with my SX70 Sonar and Impossible Project's PX680 Color Protection film. All of these shots were taken unshielded and left to develop in the shade, a pocket, or some other location with indirect sunlight. As a whole, I'd say this film really held up pretty well in the sunny conditions as well as the heat. With temps around the 80's most days this film did have a tendency to start quickly shifting to warmer tones, but, overall the colors remained pretty true throughout. I made it a point to move the photos back into an air conditioned room as soon as possible after shooting though, so I can't really say how warm these colors would have shifted over a longer period of time.

I'm sure I'll be sharing more instant photos from this trip soon, and, once I get the remainder my film developed I'll start posting a few of those as well. Stay tuned and enjoy.

Impossible Project PX100 - Hillary

Just a quick post today of some photos taken recently with Hillary (a model you've seen here before) on some Impossible Project PX 100 (a film you've seen here before). All of these shots were taken with an SX70 Sonar, available light (which was slim) and a tripod. I did nearly forget the proper protocol for shielding these out of camera due to how much of the Color Protection film I've been shooting lately, but, luckily I remembered at the last minute. Enjoy.

Expired Polaroid Image Softone - Polaroid Spectra - Ashley

After a nice long Thanksgiving weekend I'm back with a couple images from an impromptu shoot that I ended up doing this past Friday. Ashley is a model that I have shot with many times before (you can find multiple images of her throughout this blog) and someone that I always end up getting good images with. This particular time we were focused much more on simple, natural digital images that could possibly be used on comp cards, but, I did manage to sneak in a few photos using this expired Polaroid Image film.

All shot (obviously) with a Polaroid Spectra, these images were taken with available light, a reflector and no flash. I've had this film sitting around for a while now in my fridge (it was purchased from the Impossible Project's website some time ago) and finally decided that I may as well pull it out and try to put it to good use. I didn't end up shooting a whole pack, but, the ones I did shoot I think came out pretty well. Also, If you are interested in this film and have a spectra I do believe there is still some stock available through the Impossible Project for the time being. I highly recommend it if you've never shot with it before. 

Ilford 100 Delta Pro 120 - Yashica D - Eagle Clothing Brooklyn

A week or so ago I posted some images from the DUMBO area of Brooklyn that I shot with my Yashica D and some Ilford 100 Delta Pro 120 film. Today I have one more image from that same roll of film that is from a slightly different area of Brooklyn known as Park Slope. After a short subway ride back from Brooklyn Bridge Park we stopped to shoot a few frames of this Eagle Clothing Co. sign that we had seen looming over the area on our many subway trips in and out of the city. From what I've read this sign is something of an Iconic landmark to the area for a previously well known clothing manufacturer that has since gone by the wayside. Though the building is now a giant U-Haul facility the sign remains. As a fan of old signage and american, I, for one, am happy that some people still appreciate and leave these monolithic remnants of another time standing.

Rollei Retro 100 - Mamiya 645 - Hillary

I'm aware that I haven't been posting much recently. With the weather changing and the number of project's I've been pulled into at work my time for shooting has become a little more limited. I did, however, want to jump on here quickly to post a few photos in a small attempt to keep up with this little photo blog. Hopefully as winter continues I'll be booking a few more studio shoots (similar to what you will see here today) and that will afford me not only a chance to shoot some more film, but, also some new images to post here on a more regular basis. 

Today's images were shot with a camera that I love to work with but have actually used very rarely since I've gotten it - the Mamiya 645 fitted with a Sekor 80mm f/2.8 lens. The camera (also fitted with an auto winder) is a real beast to lug around but has a really great feel in your hands. The film for this shoot was a roll of one of favorite medium format films, Rollei Retro 100, which I had developed over at Aperture here in Cleveland. And then of course the model (who may look familiar from a few earlier posts using different instant film types) is Hillary from Taxi Mgmt. Both images were shot using available window light and a single reflector.

More images coming soon. Enjoy.

Ilford 100 Delta Pro 120 - Yashica D - DUMBO

Some time ago (around June) I spent a couple of days in the NYC and Brooklyn area. I've posted some photos from that trip before, but, just recently got back my final roll of film from being developed after hanging onto it for way too long. These particular photos were shot with one of my favorite MF cameras, the Yashica D, on some Ilford 100 Delta Pro 120 film. 

After a long day of rain in the city we decided to jump off the subway on our way back to our hotel in Brooklyn and check out Brooklyn Bridge Park and the DUMBO area. Luckily, it stopped raining just about the time we arrived which (finally) gave us a chance to wander about and take a few photos. I shot almost an entire roll right there in the park, but, these are three of my favorites. Enjoy.

Impossible Project PX70 Test Film V4B - Colors From the Greenhouse

Yesterday, via a fun little video project at work, I ended up at Cleveland's Rockefeller Park Greenhouse. Another of those Cleveland hidden gems the Rockefeller Greenhouse sits above Martin Luther King Drive on the east side of downtown and is full of beautiful plants and colors and is definitely worth a visit. While I was there to do some video work, I of course had my SX70 along loaded with Impossible Projects newest PX70 Color Protection film and was able to snag a few shots. Actually... I shot almost an entire pack, but, these are my top four favorites from the day.

Impossible Project PX70 Test Film V4B - Festive Fall Colors

Another weekend come and gone, but, this one did provide some beautiful fall weather and a chance to get out and shoot some of the brilliant colors. SX-70's in hand, we ended up at the Rocky River Reservations overlook Sunday afternoon and the photos here are my plunder for the day - four shots, all pretty nice. 

All of these are from the Impossible Project's new PX70 Color Protection formula and were all shot the same way - a half turn towards darken, unshielded out of camera, developed in a pocket for warmth with a total development time in the 20-30 minute range.

The color on this film is really great stuff and much easier to shoot than every before. In fact, It's such a good looking film that even Tiffany finally agreed to let me take her photo with it. Take a good look... this is a rare occasion!

Impossible Project PX70 Test Film V4B - Pomegranates

This past weekends grocery trip left me with two pomegranates, which, I bought specifically to take a photos with. Last night after work the sun was still bright enough to use the window light to snap these two quick shots. Both photos are taken on Impossible Project PX70 Test Film V4b using an SX70 Sonar. Images were left unshielded out of camera and developed in my pocket to add a little warmth. Final results aren't too shabby.

Expired Polaroid Type 664 - Land 250 - Cassie

Following up on yesterday's post with Cassie, today I have some expired Polaroid 664 that I shot with her using my Polaroid Land 250. I've been slowly working my way through this pack of film and have been quite happy with the results of it. These shots were taken on the East bank of the Flats in a little area known as settlers landing. Despite the chilly morning we toughed it out long enough to get some great digital shots and a these two quick Polaroids. Enjoy.

Expired Polaroid Type 57 - Graflex Crown Graphic - Cassie

I just wanted to write a quick post this morning to share an image from a shoot I did this weekend with local Cleveland model Cassie. She's repped by a new local agency, Taxi MGMT, who seem to be growing quickly and have a lot of great talent in their ranks from what I can see. Although I didn't get to shoot as much film as I would have liked I was able to shoot a bit of Polaroid 664, which I'll post at a later time, and this shot using some expired Polaroid Type 57 in my Graflex Crown Graphic. I think I'm finally getting a handle on this film and the best approach for metering and exposing it. There's an interesting, almost pencil sketch, quality to this film that I kind of like. In any event, I'll continue shooting it until the sad day that I inevitably run out.

Impossible Project PX680 Test Film V4C and... Digital (Gasp!)

Today I have the last of my instant photos from my recent shoot with Hillary. This shot was taken on Impossible Projects PX 680 V4c Test film with an ND pack filter using my trusty SX70. Ligthen/Darken wheel was set about half way to darken, and, the photo was left unshielded out of camera but developed in my pocket away from any light source. Temps were pretty chilly this day so I tried to keep this photo warm, but, I think that may be partially responsible for the blown highlights.

To make up for the partially blown exposure (and because this is my blog and I can do whatever I want) today I'm also sharing some of the digital images from this location. I know it's become a rarity on this site for me to post anything digital, but, I do still shoot digital and see no reason not to share that part of my work here on occasion as well. So, enjoy.

Expired Polaroid Type 664 - Hillary

As promised, today I have a few more images from this past weekends shoot with Hillary. These two were taken while we were shooting over in the Tremont area just outside of downtown cleveland for what was our first look of the day. I shot both of these with my Polaroid 250 using expired Polaroid Type 664. I've had a couple packs of this film sitting around for a while now but just haven't ever gotten around to shooting with it. 

I'd say the film itself is still holding up quite well. Not surprising, really, for expired Polaroid stock. The highlights are a bit blown in these images, but, considering the Polaroid 250 meters and exposes automatically I think the overall exposure came out pretty well. The only downside to these images is that shooting this film serves as a constant reminder that the remainder of this film (along with all the other remaining Polaroid stock) is constantly disappearing and many of these film types will never be reproduced like the integral films are by the Impossible Project. Fingers crossed, though, that one day someone might remedy that.

Expired Polaroid Type 57 - Graflex Crown Graphic

This past weekend was the first time in a long time that I got the chance to work with a new model. Hillary was nice enough to drive down from the Erie, PA area Saturday for a shoot. We shot a couple looks that morning with a variety of cameras and a few different film types. Down the road I hope to post a few images from my Mamiya 645j that I had loaded with Rollei Retro 100, and, perhaps an image or two from my Polaroid 250 using some original Polaroid 664.

Today's image, however, is more of a celebration for me personally as I've finally put to use once more my 4x5 Crown Graphic. It's a been a little frustrating to not have this camera out in recent weeks as it's become one of my favorite camera's to use, but, the disappearance of the readily available Fuji 4x5 instant films definitely cut into how often it sees the light of day. So finally, from my slowly dwindling supply of expired Polaroid Type 57, here's a new large format image. Despite the grainy, temperamental nature of this expired film, I really do enjoy using it and trying to get decent results from it. 

Maybe one of these day's I'll finally get around to developing some of the sheet film I've shot over the last couple months... or even start shooting more sheet film in place of the instant film supply I do have. At the very least, I could again shoot some large format color images...

Impossible Project PX680 and PX70 Test Film - Fall Images and 8 Exposures

This past weekend was wrapped up in the changing of the seasons. We drove down to my parents for a visit and then enjoyed the lovely fall weather with a trip to the apple orchard for some apples, pumpkins, gourds and all things fall. I took along my SX 70 and SX 70 sonar loaded with the Impossible Projects PX 680 V4C and PX 70 V4B respectively to snap a couple fall themed images. These are just a few of my favorites from the selection.

At top and above, some images shot on the SX70 with PX 680 V4C - lighten/darken set halfway to darken, unshielded out of camera and developed in my jacket pocket. Below, an image from my SX 70 Sonar using the Impossible Project PX 70 V4B - lighten/darken again halfway to darken, unshielded out of camera and left to develop in my jacket pocket.

And finally, to wrap up this quick post, I'm very excited to be featured on the Impossible Project's blog. Every so often they feature different photographers with their "8 Exposures" question and answer series and just yesterday my responses and 8 photos were published. There's a little preview image of their homepage and blog post below, but, if you'd like to read the entire post and look through the photos featured (including an instant portrait of yours truly) you can jump over to their page with this link.

Impossible Project PX70 Test Film V4B - Now available to everyone!

Yesterday marked the official release of the new Impossible Project PX 680 and PX 70 films with new color protection formula. What's that mean? It means a brilliant new opacification layer that lets you shoot 8 beautiful photos without the worry of shielding the images out of camera like the Impossible films of the past. I've been posting images from the test batches of this film for a  couple of weeks now and must say that these new batches of film have made me fall in love with the Impossible project all over again. Not only does the film produce high quality images like we've come to expect from Impossible, but, now it's easier than ever to shoot. If you've not yet shot Impossible's film and you've been thinking about doing so... Now is the time.

These images were both shot while walking around town one day using an SX70 sonar and the new Impossible PX 70 color shade film. Lighten darken wheel was set about half way to darken and the images were left unshielded out of camera. After being ejected the images were left for full development in my pocket over about 30-40 mins. Feel free to go back through my last couple posts to see a few more (if not better) examples of the new Impossible films that have just been released.

If you're already sold and interested in buying some film for yourself jump directly on over to their store HERE.

Impossible Project PX680 Test Film V4C - Yellow Van

Here's another image from my impromptu Sunday walkabout with my cameras. I happened across this little van and painted fence down a quiet side street in town and thought it'd be a good photo. This was shot with Impossible Projects PX680 V4C test film on an SX70 equipped with an ND pack filter. Lighten/darken was set half way to darken. Film was unshielded out of camera but left for full development in my pocket. Approximate development time 30-40 minutes with a continued shift away from magenta over the next hour or two.

Impossible Project PX680 Test Film V4B - Cleveland From Above

About two weeks ago I was over in the BP building downtown, somewhere around the 32-33 floor, shooting some video for work. I'd been there once before and knew it had some pretty good views of the city so I took along my SX70 to snap a few images before we got started. Of the three I took, I think these two turned out pretty nice.

As I mentioned, both were shot with an SX70 (equipped with an ND Pack Filter). The film type used was the Impossible Project's PX680 V4B. Lighten/darken was turned halfway to darken and the images were left unshielded out of camera, but, were developed face down over the next 30-40 minutes. Once again, this film is not optimized for color like the newest batches of test film. If you'd like an example of that check out this and this.