Covid-19

Emergence From Lockdown

My final chapter in my triptych journal is a reflection on our emergence from Lockdown. It is a confusing and unsettling time. Our behaviour and day to day life will have to alter accordingly. A new order will arise out of the chaos.

During Lockdown, I’ve really enjoyed packing away the digital cameras and using the old Polaroid Land Camera. The slowness and thoughtfulness that is required before pressing the clunky shutter has been a true reflection of our lives during the pandemic. I wont be putting the Polaroid away just yet, my fridge contains quite a few packs of expired colour film and I have a few bottles of bleach in preparation to reclaim the negs, a completely different process to black and white. In the meantime, I’m going to get printing and bind my journal. The paints will also be staying out.


Lockdown 2020: A New Commodity

Three images were taken on the 250 Polaroid Land Camera, this time with a self timer. Post-it notes served as perfect markers on the wall which were hastily removed in the available 10 seconds. While the actual photos are not too bad, a definite improvement on the the first 3. Reclaiming the negatives proved pretty worthwhile. The light steaks are accentuated by the scanner and add a surreal and ethereal look to the composition. I call this triptych A New Commodity.

Only two shots left in the pack…




Lockdown 2020

During this period of isolation with time on our hands, I have decided to continue exploring the potentials of the Polaroid. Subsequently, I have found myself in a rather strange place, which is rather fitting considering our new ‘normal’ at present. I have resurrected a 1966 Polaroid 250 Land Camera and ventured into the realms of pack peel-apart film. My first batch is FP3000b - super speedy instant Black and White prints . This pack expired in 2012.
Apart from the nauseous smell and bouts of light headiness from the chemicals, it has been a slow and interesting experience. Each piece of film is precious, they aren’t made anymore so supply is limited and cost is high. So like our lives right now I have slowed right down, given thought to how this beast of a camera and its film operates, thought about the images I wish to make and celebrated each of the random, bizarre outcomes. Everything that emerges from this camera is a surprise to me. The out-of-date film has a life of its own, my limited knowledge creates uncertainty and together the weird and unpredictable is formed. Now that really appeals to me!

I don’t like anything going to waste, so all elements of the Polaroids are being explored. In the case of the peel-apart pack, it’s the negatives I’m particularly excited about. The actual prints allude to hidden secrets, so once the negatives have dried I dive straight in. Here are my first three attempts, they do get better after this!!!

First attempt with scratched title. Used straight from the fridge - error #1 - too cold and pulled apart far too soon.

Error #2 turned the exposure knob too far over to the darken side and peeled apart too soon. Looks like an under-exposed X-ray.

Result! Loving those light streaks, where did they come from?. Error #3 touching the wet negative leaves a fingerprint - actually I don’t really consider that an error, it adds a personal touch.

Self portrait 1966 Polaroid 250 expired film.

Really looking forward to see what else this beast of a camera produces.