Introduction to the world of crap photos.

I guess before I get too deep into this blog I should create a launching point for you.

My goal with this blog is to help anyone interested in iPhone camera apps, toy cameras, Polaroids, weird film effects- ie. light leaks, emulsion pulls, lens flares, damaged or expired film - find out what those effects they like might be, how they might be able to get them, other fun ways to get weird and fun effects, and basically build a little bubble of photo stuff I think is cool, old and new.

This isn't meant to be a 'serious' photo blog. The world of toy camera's already shows that, otherwise you wouldnt still be able to buy cameras using film at Urban Outfitters. It is more for fun and for hobbyists, than a serious professional, though of course they can and do partake, and push this form even further. It is interesting that with the advent of the web, these various forms of low tech photography have somehow become one type of expression.

In this day and age, where almost any style can be downloaded to our iPhone or mimicked via an Adobe program, it is nice to know what, where, how, and why many of these things exist, and why they are fun. And to learn about other weird cameras of the past (I for sure have not seen them all.)

Basically, I just wanted to share the limited knowledge I have gained over the past years, and the new daily usage experience I have now with various apps. This of course is intended to act as a type of bridge between the digital new world, and the old film world, ultimately what you see is the picture, not how it got there, and with most things the end result is what becomes covetable, each in their own right. Digital, like it or not, can be just as viable in it's own right.

Expect fun posts about vintage cameras - film, digital and instant.

Expect illumination of great photos found around the web and on Flickr and Tumblr.

Expect reviews of iPhone camera apps, tips and tricks, sources and more.

Expect to have fun, and just enjoy. This is all about experimentation and DIY.

Thanks for reading.

Enjoy.

Polaroid isn't impossible. You could be using one right now! For less than $50.

You could be taking Polaroids RIGHT NOW, tons of the Land Camera series -model numbers usually in 100, 200 or 300 range- are around and CHEAP.

Here is one on eBay right now!

VINTAGE POLAROID LAND CAMERA MODEL 210 AUTOMATIC

For $21.22 it could be yours. I don't know if it works, but generally they just need a bit of cleaning and cleaning of the battery contacts, your mileage may vary.


BUT wait, what about film? and batteries? That is the real issue right? Wrong.

Though the Impossible Project, as awesome as it is, is making Polaroid film they no longer make, that doesnt mean you can't get film, new unexpired film. The Impossible Project is making film for the much coveted SX-70 and 600 models. Not for the Land Cameras, which use a pull apart emulsion film, not the self enclosed type.

Step in FUJI. Fuji has been making instant film cameras in Japan for ages, and you can still get a new one and film for it now, here. They have also been making film that the Land Cameras can use, and it is readily available, costs about the same, and is considered by some to be even better film (not by all though). Film comes in 10's and is roughly $1 per photo cost.

For this Land Camera above, assuming it functions with a fresh battery, you can get either the 667 b/w type film which in Fuji land is known as the 3000b, or you can get the similar 669 color film FP100. Note that the b/w film is 3000 speed (yes really fas and good in lower light (not in dark though) and the color is 100 speed, so it needs a good sunny day!

Okay so that solves that part, now for the batteries...

These Land Cameras use a battery called px-24, not the easiest to find, but they are out there (and have been for years), here is one for $15.99.

SO there you have it, for approx $22 + $16 + $10 = $48, you could take 10 Polaroid pictures now. And of course, after this initial cost, the film is your only cost moving forward.


If you try it, good luck!

inspiration- light leaks

Light leaks are the incredible effect you get when the back of a film based camera is opened. Usually you do this mid-roll, meaning you get a bit of the film pulled out of the canister before you open the camera back.

Here is a great article with much more info at thedphoto.com.

One of the great masters of this style commercially is Mark Borthwick.(click to google his pics)

He has an excellent bookthat you can buy, it includes many of of his better photos, and is curated by Beautiful Losers founder Aaron Rose.


Here are some of my favorites of his...

inspiration- expired film

Quick pulled photo set from Flickr tags via this generator.