3.04.2017

Polaroid / Square Format Inspiration

Recently I've been fascinated in Polaroid imagery--the washed out colors, the square format, the happy mistakes, the experimentation, the ability to evoke a kind of nostalgia.  My interest in this style of photography began with the Holga, which I use to shoot lo-fi square format photos.  More recently, I've also been shooting Portra color film with the Yashica-D, which is also square format, but with a focus that actually works and manual controls.  For me, the tones of this film plus the square format can create a Polaroid aesthetic.  That said, the Yashica-D still yields more precise imagery, and has it's own uniqueness that is different than that of a Polaroid.

I am currently experimenting with photo transfers, and I plan on using the Yashica-D negatives to create a body of stone paper transfers.  I am also working with a Daylab to create Polaroid image transfers and emulsion lifts.  I also hope to shoot some straight Polaroids, as I have an old Polaroid camera I have yet to make use of. Recently I have been inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky's Polaroids, some which can be seen in my previous post.  Below is some inspiration from some other photographers I found. I recommend checking out their portfolios, as they have some great work.

Hilary Clay / Holga

Jill Auville / Polaroid

Jill Auville / Polaroid 

Jill Auville / Polaroid

Charles Guerin / Holga, cyanotype

Charles Guerin / cyanotype

Andrew Pershin