Final

Finished putting together the final product with the revolving card holder, hand cut cards and impossible film.

Artist Statement and Title

 I decided to title the series Atmosphere. Please let me know of any corrections or possible suggestions.

Atmosphere has two distinct definitions. One is characterized as the gases surrounding the earth, while the second definition is a general mood or feeling. This particular series of Impossible exposures speaks to both definitions. While capturing these landscapes, I deliberately aimed for scenes that possessed an atmospheric quality, such as fog, and a sense of melancholy. When seasons start to transition, many become acutely aware of the environment and how it affects their frame of mind. Since the realization that I am susceptible to bouts of depression, I have worked towards understanding what factors contribute to those feelings. Most will find that they are more vulnerable to their environment than they realize. We are  influenced by the vibes exuded from the people, places and things we surround ourselves with. Some could define this as a character flaw, but I chose to embrace this quality in myself and encourage the alternative view it gives me.

Since the beginning of instant film, one had to accept the many inherent imperfections in the system. The film itself is prone to various defects, whether it is the chemicals not spreading correctly over the frame, the temperature manipulating the overall color or being accidently exposed to sunlight during the processing stage. The type of Polaroid camera used in conjunction with the film contributes different and distinct faults. Working with a Polaroid OneStep Close-up 600 camera from 1996 comes with numerous limitations. The camera has a built-in electric light meter that sometimes results in an over or under exposed image. The lens is plastic and has a tendency to soften the focus. By utilizing this particular medium and format I chose to embrace all of its unique characteristics.

As a society, we focus too much on the negative connotations of a flaw. With this series I hope to change how one perceives these imperfections and I encourage the viewer to find the beauty in something deemed undesirable. I chose this form of presentation to highlight the concept that our surroundings have the power to impact the way we feel and embody the ability one has to change those aspects. I also encourage the viewer to interact with the piece, carefully moving the pages as one pleases.

Blewett

Today I shot half a pack while in the Blewett pass/Wenatchee area, these are documented using my phone and the Impossible app. I revisited one of the buildings I shot for the decayed series. And I started the process of writing my artist statement!

Icicles

 

Card holder

After giving a great deal of consideration for presentation, I came up with this card holder idea. I think that this could be really interesting display, maybe even interactive?

Presentation

After the critique, I did some research on presentation and here is what I came up with...

Abby Murphy
I am seriously impressed by these emulsion lifts,
I haven't ever considered putting the lifts onto multiple papers

rasa pranckunaite
this artist has outstanding presentation of emulsion lifts
absolutely beautiful

Lauren King
I think this is probably something I will experiment with in the future,
it is a truly interesting way to display the photograph by continuing the image.

books, or journal presentation could be a lovely display
but not for this particular series 

Annette Messager

Annette Messager

I reallllllly enjoy Messager's way of displaying her images,

it is very unique and compelling  

I enjoy the simplicity of this display but at the same time,
 the wood pieces at the top don't tie in with the images, so it seems rather odd

Project Runway
Polaroid dress, say what??

Cy Twombly
Collage presentation?
Maybe for a future project

 

2ish packs

Over the weekend I shot some film. I finished one pack on the way over the pass. Then I shot one pack in the gig harbor area, figuring it would be good to have diversity in the landscapes. I shot another pack on my way back home stopping in the Black Diamond/Auburn area and then near lake Kachess. I only have about one more planned shoot, in Blewett pass.

Weekend Purchases

Over the weekend, I invested in some frames for some upcoming shows which got me thinking about how to present the current project. I'm pretty excited about these frames though. I picked up a 16x20 silver frame for the diptych, and a few black 8x10's. I also picked up a marquee picture frame that lights up, not sure what I'll do with it just yet.. and I got one of those floating glass frames for a future emulsion lift. Yay!

Moving On

When I shot this image, I had just turned off I-90 spontaneously while on my way home from shooting over the weekend. As I drove up Alpental road, I was in awe of all the beautiful clouds, and fog lingering in the area. I was pleasantly surprised by the way the polaroid camera and impossible film effortlessly captured this moment, I didn't even have to get out of the car. I feel that this image captures a truly moody and emotional side of landscapes. With this idea I foraged onward, I set out over the weekend to take more images. I attempted to capture scenery that had a similar sense of atmosphere. I am not sure whether or not I will follow through with this idea, but hey its progress. At this time I have shot five packs of film, 30 exposures. 

Lights

After considering the flower concept, I moved onto the next best idea. Illumination. I quickly realized that I'm not exactly sure where to find interesting lighting fixtures. This light is in the house where I currently reside and to be completely honest, I have not the slightest clue why the top of the image is so much darker but I do kind of enjoy its odd qualities as a whole. I think this idea of light could make for a compelling series.

Flowers

After talking the other day, I set out to continue with the previous flower images. Even though I find these photographs to be very beautiful, they really do lack in content. On to the next thing.

Weekend experimentation

My film finally arrived Friday and I was able to experiment a bit. I only shot three images, two of which were just crap. The third image I really enjoy, the film captured the most beautiful deep green color within the plant. After shooting the image, I kind of realized that it might not have been what I actually intended to shoot for the project but of course I am giving some leeway, in case I come upon a better interpretation of the same overall idea. I am noticing that the more I use my Polaroid camera the focus always seems to be really soft. Anyway, feedback is always appreciated.

Propane Rhododendrons.

Inspiration

Andre Kertesz, really quite fascinating gloomy polaroids taken while grieving the loss of his wife.

I have to admit that I am nearly speechless with Helmut Newton's Polaroids. They give off so much seduction and beauty within the female figure while also containing a level of mystery. 

Andrei Tarkovsky's work is breath taking. His images incorporate such a lovely atmospheric quality, truly splendid. 

I find myself really drawn to Miranda Lichtenstein's Polaroids of flower still lifes.

This artist, Miun, works with Impossible Film using the batteries inside of the cartridges to create light up displays.

More Ideas

Last weekend, I visited the Tacoma Art Museum. The Art AIDS America exhibit was pretty amazing. I think I was particularly amazed by the level of emotion created by each of the pieces. Personally, I do not know of anyone affected by AIDS, and this show was an eye opener in how destructive it truly is, and not only to the infected victim but also to anyone who is close to that person. 

Then I walked through the Northwest in the West exhibition, which I must add should have been viewed in the opposite order. After walking through the AIDS show, one just cannot relate to landscapes and buffalo with cowboys and Indians in a meaningful attitude. I did however enjoy viewing Gilbert Stuart's painting of George Washington from 1797. It is inspiring to see art that has been literally treasured for over two hundred years. What I did gather from the Western paintings was actually their rather over sized frames. I found it kind of funny, these gody rustic gold frames, as if to say these pieces of art are made even more important with the addition of these particular frames. 

With this I was thinking about how it could be thought provoking for the viewer to frame the Impossible Project film themselves inside of large gold frames. Below are examples of said frames.

Fall 2015

This quarter, I would like to continue working with Polaroid and kind of see where it takes me. I plan on purchasing a decent amount of impossible film, in hopes that I will be able to sufficiently experiment with my overall concepts. I intend to photograph mundane objects in a way that suggest emotions to the viewer. I also think it would be interesting to incorporate self portraits among the objects.

I have been considering ways in which to display the finished photographs. After seeing the Impossible Projects new Black and Yellow film exhibition where the finished Polaroids were photographed or possibly even scanned and printed much much larger. I think this could be a good way to present the images.

Getting ready

I am just about ready to start printing my images. I went back through and double checked that all the images are edited and picked the finalists.

Display

Originally, I was thinking of just matting and framing my Polaroids until I found this idea to use florist frog pins to display them. My hope is that by displaying this way it will trigger more of an emotional response from the images while giving them a more 3-dimensional aspect.

New direction

Since the critique I have decided to take a different direction with my project. I intend to print my images as Polaroids instead of using the fine art paper.

Paper

Innova Cold Press Rough Textured Natural White 315gsm Inkjet Paper 24 in x 50 ft Roll

Alright, now I think I may have possibly found the paper. 

Edits

After lots of consideration, I went through the 80 images and rated them. I came up with 19, 5 stars.