The Long Lost Polaroid Film

(Photo via jerkwithacamera.com)

Today's post from the New York Times blog The Lens is all about large format, positive-negative Polaroid film. They feature a slideshow of several examples from photographers who have used it in the past. The two films are Type 55 and Polaroid 665. Photographers who opted to use this film toted white buckets of sodium sulfite to rinse their photos after developing. They were then hung out to dry. Both films had a unique border to them that I think make the photo look more aged than they truly are. 

In this digital age, it's nice to go back to the basics once in a while and appreciate what film can do for your art. Unfortunately, Polaroid no longer makes this film. And for that matter, I don't think Polaroid manufactures any film these days. 

But, for a little film nostalgia, check out the blog post and read the stories some of the photographers have from their experiences shooting with the Polaroid films. 

The BKNY

(photo via Flickr)

Skimming the New York Times yesterday evening, tired of reading about banks needing more money, GM needing more money, GMAC needing more money, guess what? I need more money! I saw a little article called Made In Brooklyn. This just made my heart sing! I love seeing good publicity about the arts and design coming out of Brooklyn. My short time living in Park Slope made me fall in love with the area and I can't help but support it. Starting today, the seventh annual Bkln Designs show kicks off in the Dumbo neighborhood's warehouses. Lots of local artists will be there selling one of kind pieces. A great experience to check out some cutting edge design. According to the NY Times, "A design scene is flourishing in Brooklyn." Duh! There are some great home furnishing shops (as well as fashion boutiques) everywhere from Carroll Gardens to Park Slope to Prospect Heights to Clinton Hill. To get an extensive list of shops as well as a background on the Bkln Designs show, check out the article here. And here are a couple of my personal recommendations: Linda & Harriett, they do beautiful letterpress stationary. They also have a cute little blog to check out. And the other is Scaredy Kat Cards & Gifts. Can you tell I have a thing for paper? They also have cute and unique gifts for that someone who has everything (or not). It's really exciting to see such a change of gears in the design world- fresh, young talent coming from Brooklyn instead of the City.