October Camera of the Month Club: Polaroid!
The first meeting of the Camera of the Month Club was a great success. New members were enthusiastic about the idea, having a space to share photos, and meet other photographers.
Soho Photo Gallery has graciously offered to host our next meeting on October 28th, and I could not be more thrilled about this! I am very excited to see the results of the group members' work.
If you are interested in joining, our next meeting is: Tuesday October 28th, 6:30PM. 15 White Street, NY, 10013. Please bring your best 6-8 instant film photos.
Here is a peek of one of my October assignment photos. I took this in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Happy Shooting!
Camera of the Month Club!
I haven't updated my blog in months...guilty as charged! No time like the present to update my blog, and share my new project.
I am starting a Camera of the Month Club, and I would love to get fellow photographers excited about this idea. Photography can be a particularly solitary endeavor, and a supportive camera club will provide photographers of all levels with much-needed encouragement, ideas, guidance, and constructive criticism (as well as some happy hours and new friends!)
Details:
Much like a book club, the group will convene at the end of every month to discuss using a particular camera, and showcase their best 6-8 photos to the group.
- Every month, members will shoot with one camera (film/digital on rotation; brand/type of camera TBD each month)
- Monthly meetings: last Tuesday of every month, meeting location will change accordingly
- Friendly group critique: bring 6-8 best photos to share with group and provide/receive feedback
- Best photos to go on group Tumblr
- Work towards group photography show (s)
- Membership: free
First meeting: Tuesday September 30th, 6:30PM-7:30PM
Meeting location: Loreley Bar, 7 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
Camera for October: your choice of Polaroid Camera (vintage/refurbished) or modern day Fujifilm Instax camera (s)
Please circulate this new club to your friends or colleagues who would be a good fit. I'm hoping to keep this to a small-medium sized group. Please have them contact me through this website.
Thank you, and happy shooting!
(Camera loans/donations/borrowing will be discussed and explained on one-on-one or monthly meeting basis.)
manufactured nostalgia
I love Polaroid Film. I own a Sun600 Polaroid Camera, and I have been shooting with Impossible Project's 600 Color Film. When I feel more confident in my Polaroid color skills, I'll start shooting with their Black & White Film.
In a recent conversation with a fellow photographer, we were discussing recent trends in what is deemed popular contemporary photography. My friend exclaimed much of the photography we see in online forums, such as Instagram, is "manufactured nostalgia.” A filtered, improved version of what is really happening.
Manufactured Nostalgia, I thought to myself. I love(d) this term. And guiltily, I suppose my love for Polaroid film is precisely a case of Manufactured Nostalgia. But just the same, I love Polaroid Film. Why? Staging the right shot gets my blood pumping. I wait with impatience and excited anticipation for each photo to develop. I hug the photos tenderly into the crevice of my armpits on a cold day so that the film will develop properly. I have a modern obsession with a vintage phenomenon.
I have also been unequivocally impressed with The Impossible Project in NYC. During my first visit, I nervously waited for the slow elevator to arrive, armed with a host of questions about my camera and the Polaroid process. I asked my questions gingerly, expecting to find bored to hostile employees, and unhelpful and unfriendly service, typical of much of the art and retail scene in NYC. Instead I was greeted with incredibly warm, energetic, knowledgeable and helpful staff. Every time I go, I feel more welcome there. The space itself is beautiful, with great lighting, a mouth-watering array of cameras, great views of Canal street, and great exhibit of photos on display. I highly recommend their openings and parties, I guarantee a great time!
My name is Erica, and I manufacture nostalgia with each of my Polaroid photos.
Soho. December 2013.