Fun With Polaroids - Scanning a Negative

A Positive Negative of Model Kiona Waters of LModelz Model Management

Sometimes you just have to have some fun.  "But, how do you have fun Steve?" Well, one way is to pay around with Polaroid cameras.  I almost always take one to a photoshoot and snap behind the scenes shots.  Film is still available through FujiFilm (for Pack cameras), FujiFilm for Instax cameras & The Impossible Project for Polaroid cameras.

Last weekend I used a Polaroid Colorpack III.  A plastic pack camera.  Here she is:

This photo was actually taken a couple of year ago by SF based street photographer Eric Kim.  This was my "street photography" camera of the day

It takes really nice / crisp images with FujiFilm FP-100c "peel apart" film.  It's "Professional". I mean that's what is says on the box, so it must be true.  For Sunday's model shoot I used a pack of B&W FP-3000B.  Unlike the color version of the film, the B&W version is no longer produced.  Therefore it's pricey.  I think I paid $21 for the pack.  Here it is:

And this is what the back of the peel apart looks like once you pull it from the camera, let it develop and peel off the photo.

The negatives that I used to throw away

Know what I see?  That's right, I see a negative.  For giggles, and that "fun" I mentioned above I decided to scan the backing into Adobe Photoshop and then "reversed" the image.  And - wait for it, a positive image appears as shown above.   Does this have a practical purpose...no, but who said all film photography had to have a practical purpose.  And just to think I used to throw the backing papers away...no more, no sir, no more.

Try it yourself, it's "fun"

Accessories Are Cool

Just like in my digital photography world, I buy accessories for my film camera photography.  Not as much of course, but I still by accessories.  One of the little annoyances with film photography is keeping your film together in your bag & in order.  Having a film case helps.  I bought a D sized battery holder for this purpose and they work fine, but it doesn't hold 120 film.  I shoot both.  Something better was needed.

I was recently watching a video blog post by Eric Kim, an excellent street photographer who I know & visited my studio once.   I follow his blog and podcasts.  He recently posted a video blog about a visit to Bellamy Hunt AKA, the Japan Camera Hunter in Tokyo.  I had heard of TJCH but had never investigated his website in detail. 

Following Eric's  video blog post I visited Bellamy's site and saw he sold both 120 film cases as well as 35mm film cases.   Well, I ordered one each.  Pricing was super reasonable as was the shipping to the USA from Japan.  The 35mm case holds 10 rolls & the 120 holds 5.  They come in a few colors too.  Delivery was quick, and since it really wasn't something I needed immediately a few days wait was no dramas.

They arrived today, and I've already loaded them up.  They will fit nicely in my camera bag, so I'm set.  Honestly, did I REALLY need the film cases...nope, but then I did it anyway.

Here you go