Here is one more image from Michigan: I found I had three more instant film negatives to scan, and I decided to do some extensive post-processing on this one, adding some glow and toning. I love being able to mix the best of old and new photographic technologies together!
Another post with a Polaroid bent today: When the very first Polaroid was introduced in the late 1940’s, the original prints had a sepia-like tone. This was considered a limitation at the time, and later Polaroid black and white films had a more neutral tone balance. Years later, they did introduce films that brought the tones back, but alas those films are long gone. I decided to try using traditional print toner to see what would happen. (Tech details for those so inclined at the ned of this post). The results while not perfect are intriguing, and worth experimenting with a bit more. The next test will be to leave this print out for a few days to see if I get any further tonal change or discolouration.
(Fuji FP3000B instant film, toned using Kodak Professional Selenium toner, diluted 10:1. Applied with lint free soft cloth,
allowed to sit for about 60 seconds, then wiped off with lint free soft cloth and rinsed under cool running water.)
I’m focusing a lot on Polaroids right now, as August 13th-17th is Polaroid Week, 2012. This event is run by a group on Flickr; members are allowed to upload two previously unseen instant images per day. I am amazed at the quality of the work I am seeing, and how the particular characteristics of the various instant film and camera combinations work so well for selected subject matter. I recommend visiting the page to see some great imagery!!
I’ve uploaded a couple more images today; the second one is another image of Rebecca, taken using Fuji FP3000B black and white instant film:
Today’s image is a scan of the negative from one of the Polaroids I took at my “Old Friends” shoot this past Sunday. Originally meant to just be thrown away, if these negatives are carefully allowed to dry, they can be scanned and inverted (negative -> positive). The results have a character all their own!
I like processes and materials that can be extended and altered in ways the original manufacturer never dreamed of, and film photography is perfect for this, in a way that digital never could be.
My Third Eye 