ginger caravan

Geelong wedding . . .

2012-01-12T02:01:00.000+11:00

A m y ♥ W i l l i s

x x

wedding teaser . . .

2011-11-28T01:55:00.000+11:00

more to come soon...

x x

upcoming analogue exhibition...

2011-11-12T01:20:00.004+11:00

Unsensored11 will be the fifth Unsensored exhibition by members of Melbourne Silver Mine, a dedicated and overtly-passionate bunch of film shooters.

The first Unsensored show, in 2007, had 24 analogue works by 12 local photographers. This year features around 60 images by 47 members!

Different formats will be on display: 35mm, medium format, 'plastic fantastic' Holga & Diana and of course, Polaroid. The gorgeous image used for our invites is by Sydney-based Polaroid queen, Kat White.

This will be my second group show this year with MSM - this time around I'm showing four original polaroids that have been float-mounted in a custom frame. They've been on the blog before, but here they are again...

bottles still life I, II, III & IV - SX-70 camera with 600 film

update:
SO EXCITED . . .
ALL FOUR POLAROIDS SOLD
ON THE OPENING NIGHT !

UNSENSORED 11

Collingwood Gallery
292 Smith St, Collingwood
Opening night: Friday 25th Nov from 6pm
Show runs until Wed 2nd Dec

GALLERY HOURS...
MON - FRI: Noon to 6.30pm
SAT & SUN: 10am - 6pm

Feel free to forward the web invite to anyone who'd love to know about it!

Look forward to seeing you there!

'hello' mini post

2011-10-21T19:34:00.000+11:00

I've been neglecting my blog of late . . . busy with daily 'non-creative' stuff while working on a new website and blog. It will be a while until it's up and running but I'm excited about the change: an updated web presence, a new business name and getting myself out there more creatively. I have lots of film coming back from the lab in the next couple of weeks, so I'll be showering the blog with posts and pictures.

35mm + Kodak BW400CN

hello to everyone who keeps stopping by...

some more film goodness coming your way soon!

x x

Polaroid northern travels

2011-10-10T22:16:00.002+11:00

A few coastal polaroids to warm the soul...

Melbourne is so cold today.

Byron Bay

Tweed Heads

(The sky isn't really that yellow up in the Tweed ;-)

Sun 635 QS with Impossible Project PX-680 film

x x

Byron Bay wedding

2011-10-07T19:00:00.002+11:00

L i s a ♥ R o b

a little polaroid-love sneak peek for now . . .

lots of images, from this beautiful day, to share with you soon

x x

happy birthday...

2011-09-19T12:49:00.000+10:00

The blog is two today!

I can't believe it's been two years since my first post.

Thank you to everyone who has visited, followed, linked and left feedback...

the support means a lot.

To celebrate I'm giving away three original polaroid photos to the first person

that leaves a comment on this birthday post.

The polaroids will be randomly selected from my collection

and will be mailed to wherever you are in the world.

20 year old slide film - F5 + 85mm 1.8

º º º º º

I'm heading north today for a couple of weeks to visit family

and will also be photographing a beautiful couple in Byron Bay.

Looking forward to posting some images on my return.

I hope the sun is shining for you today

x x

mexican spring

2011-09-09T20:46:00.000+10:00

As the hail belts down onto a frost-bitten Melbourne, I think back to the colourful brights of last night's launch of 'Destino Mexico', the new summer collection from Obus. A last minute invite from a friend was enough time to decide which Polaroid to grab plus a pack of newly-arrived 680.

A glamourous Frida Kahlo... Miss Obus, Kylie Zerbst

Mariachi Los Romanticos

635 Polaroid Sun with Impossible PX 680 film

A very slack blogger I have been over the last month.
A nice stash of Impossible film has just landed on my doorstep,
so I'll be shooting up a storm of instant-love this month!
x x

2011 Foto Bienalle

2011-08-01T17:34:00.011+10:00

Opening on August 20, the annual Ballarat International Foto Biennale (BIFB) will showcase a large collection of works by local & international photographers. BIFB runs until September 18 so you'll have four weeks to drive, or take a lazy train trip, to Ballarat to see photographs from hundreds of artists. The Biennale's Core Program will feature 20+ artists and the Fringe Program covers about 80 events.

Three of my polaroid prints will be part of the Fringe Program in a group show by Melbourne Silver Mine (MSM) - a wonderful group of dedicated film shooters. Check out MSM's flickr stream... I recommend making yourself a cuppa beforehand - you could be browsing a while!

These polaroids were part of a small solo show I had in October, so they may look familiar. Since they were framed and ready to go, I decided to put them out in the public realm for a second time.

PX-100 'first flush' film by The Impossible Project

taken with Polaroid SX-70 (framed 8x8" prints)

The show is being held at

The Woolshed - 1st floor

48 Armstrong St North, Ballarat

(cnr Mair St)

Aug 20 - Sept 18

The show will be open Thursdays to Sundays

Thur & Fri: 11-5pm // Sat & Sun: 10-6pm

Hope you can make the trip...

the BIFB should be well worth it!

blog revamp...

2011-07-12T16:06:00.002+10:00

Had a little spring clean of the blog this week . . . it was in dire need of some fresh air & a good dusting! I'm planning a brand new one very soon, but for now this mini revamp will do the trick. Also have a new online store up & running with free shipping anywhere in Australia. You'll find original polaroids float-mounted & custom-framed by the awesome gang at Neo Frames in Melbourne. The beautiful wooden frames are hand-stained in a soft black.

I still have a few more shop goodies to post, so keep checking back for more polaroids, some handprinted (aka darkroom ;-) images and other tasty prints.

If you'd like a heads-up when there's a new blog post,

just fill in your email address . . . there's a new link to your right.

Enjoy exploring and hope I've ironed out any link glitches . . .

please let me know if you meet with some dead ends!

x x

a little ektar love...

2011-07-08T01:04:00.001+10:00

Ektar 100 film in the tail end of afternoon sun...

vintage cameras

2011-07-04T16:45:00.001+10:00

just a few from my beloved horde . . .

Ilford Sporti 4 :: Voigtlander Vitoret :: Brownie Starlet

The Brownie belonged to my Mum when she was a teen

bio-frame skyline

2011-05-30T13:38:00.002+10:00

portra 800 + AE-1 w/ 50mm

lady coco

2011-05-17T15:07:00.000+10:00

remember this beauty ?

doughnut

2011-05-10T15:52:00.000+10:00

HOLGA + 400TMY

So '50s Americana, so Elizabeth St Melbourne...

massi

2011-05-06T14:32:00.000+10:00

More from the shoot with Massimo from a couple of months ago. He was a delight to photograph & was very creative in helping style his own shoot!
All shot on film with F5 + 85mm, Holga & AE-1 + 50mm...

this kid can shoot hoops!

with cute - & equally cheeky - sister, Eli...

this shot: Ektar 100 & the last 5 minutes of afternoon sun - pop!

You rock, Massi...

thanks for making me laugh so much!

sweet bessie

2011-05-05T13:51:00.001+10:00

Tell me what's not to love about black & white film ! ?

cloud love

2011-05-04T15:04:00.001+10:00

Same day, different toy . . .

expired kodak EL-2 : AE-1

portra 400 : holga GN

I love clouds - especially on film!

MASSI - preview

2011-04-29T11:38:00.000+10:00

I'll post more from this shoot next week - here's a sneak peek for now . . .

Have a beautiful weekend

where ever you are in the world

by the light of the silvery moon

2011-04-20T12:28:00.001+10:00

expired thirty five

2011-04-19T12:43:00.000+10:00

I love the unexpectedness of expired film...

consumer Fuji - expired '92

lovely finders

2011-04-15T15:29:00.002+10:00

I met some great people at the FIND workshop - all well-established working photographers, some with years of experience under their belts. For me, this was the most intimidating thing about signing up for the workshop. But, you couldn't have wished for a nicer bunch of folks who were happy to answer any questions you asked. I didn't manage to get shots of all the Finders, but here are the ones I did...

Rowe Timson

Liz Arcus

Nicole Spears & her dishy Mami

Trish - aka Tealily

Fiona Anderson

Helena Sofia

What can I say ? The man is funny !

the talented Mr Jonas Peterson

Other Finders included Samm Blake, Adrian Tuazon, Angela Higgins, Leah Kua, Jodi McDonald, Janine Kaye & Beata.

Have a beautiful weekend...

holga loves flinders st

2011-04-12T17:11:00.002+10:00

I love this T-MAX film!

Developed by RPL in California

note for banjo guy...

if you'd like that print I promised you months ago,

please email me (via profile ;-)

FIND day three - part 2

2011-04-08T11:42:00.000+10:00

THE FABULOUS JOSIE...

I can't thank Josie enough for modelling on the last day of the FIND workshop. Two other couples I had previously organised had to bail at the last moment - so Miss Josie saved the day... complete with gorgeous vintage silk dress & fox stole.

holga loves barwon heads

2011-04-07T13:48:00.004+10:00

'unless you love, your life will flash by'

from The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick

FIND day three - part 1

2011-04-07T11:35:00.000+10:00

JASMINE & NATHAN...

FIND day two - part 2

2011-04-06T20:48:00.003+10:00

Janine Kaye & her effervescent kiddies...

summer in carlton...

2011-04-06T18:42:00.004+10:00

ektar 100 & portra 400

developed by Richard Photo Lab in LA

FIND day two - part 1

2011-04-03T20:24:00.000+10:00

The lovely Liz Arcus with Jamile & Jaimon - a family with soul...

FIND day one - part 2

2011-04-01T00:35:00.001+11:00

SARAH & DALE...

FIND day one - part 1

2011-03-31T21:48:00.000+11:00

AMY & BRAD...

FILM IS NOT DEAD workshop

2011-03-29T21:53:00.000+11:00

Have you ever experienced a certain moment that has changed your life in some way? Whether a brief encounter with a stranger, a week-long journey hiking through a beautiful landscape, or some other moment that has left a mark on you in a profound way? I attended a photography workshop in January which was just that - a life changing experience.

Jonathan Canlas is the man behind Film Is Not Dead (FIND)

- an amazing three-day workshop that is a journey into your craft,

yourself, your business and the world of film.

The Man with his other woman, the GF670

We shot film, and only film, and Jonathan handed out bucket loads of the stuff. This man doesn't even own a digital camera and shoots his entire workload - weddings, portraiture, corporate and personal work - all on film. He makes shooting film, which some blinded cynics consider a dying art form, look like a breeze - newsflash: it actually is! Jonathan knows his stuff and he pours his heart into teaching his Finders everything about how to shoot it and how to push it way beyond its box-instruction limits. I'm now convinced I've got rocks in my head if I shoot anything else but!

Jonathan guided us through three days of techie instruction, business tips & tricks (insider trading, anyone?!), plenty of laughs, constant encouragement and he even managed to move everyone of us to tears. Then there were the location shoots everyday with beautiful people and giggling children. I was educated, moved, entertained and grew so much within myself in these three short days that I cannot define my praises enough for FIND and the delightful Jonathan.

taking this shot - 19th down on the left

When Jonathan met the Finders at the welcome dinner, not once did he greet any of us with a three-feet-apart business-like handshake but instead offered outspread arms and a heartfelt bear hug. This guy is all love and it shows throughout the entirety of his workshop.

Jonathan is a passionate man and he loves what he does with such fervor, you cannot help but carry some of his enthusiasm with you after FIND comes to an end. He's cares about what you get from the workshop and how it can help you and your photography evolve. Jonathan inspires you to find your own creative voice and connect with yourself more as an artist and photographer.

some of the other lovely Finders...

I faced my fears head-on by attending FIND and, two months later, am more confident about my abilities and my working future. Not quite fearless, but much less so than I was before the workshop. FIND will leave you a more-confident photographer, a better person, a smarter business man/woman and make you fall in love with film more than ever before.

If you love photography, want to improve your skills and be reunited with the wonderful world of film, track this man down at a country nearest you. The FIND workshop is worth travelling many miles for.

throw me a brick, polaroid

2011-03-28T20:12:00.001+11:00

January 16 and I'm sitting at Longrain feasting on a banquet of kingfish curry and betel leaf delicacies with 16 talented photographers. It was the welcome dinner for Jonathan Canlas's Film Is Not Dead (FIND) workshop and the first time we all met as a group before beginning the workshop the following day. About an hour into the evening I knew I had to get a shot of Tavis Johnson & Adrian Tuazon together. Why? Their matching check shirts, of course.

Jonathan's hard-working assistant, Tavis

When you pluck up the courage to ask two talented photographers if you can get a few snaps of them side by side, and they say, 'sure, where do you want us?' well, you feel pretty chuffed. Tavis & Adrian got up from the dinner table and I directed them to a slated-wood bench that had a small table in the foreground scattered with dirty glasses - perfect for the 'saloon feel' that matched their shirts. I popped open my beloved Polaroid Spectra SE, loaded with some deliciously-expired film, and snapped away.

Adrian not paying attention to directions from this man

The first shot sounded okay but then my camera groaned and froze. I opened the bottom panel to remove the jammed pola, laughed it off and took another, and another. By the fourth one, the man himself came over to see what all the fuss was about. I was mortified that Jonathan was witness to the four blank images that I had just taken. (I later discovered the Spectra was suffering from a film pack with dying batteries - the one and only thing wrong & bad about expired pola film is this!). It's nice to be able to laugh at yourself, but it was a truly embarrassing inauguration to my three-days at FIND.

FIND shots on their way...

2011-03-18T12:09:00.002+11:00

I finally received my beautifully-developed film from Richard Photo Lab yesterday and I'm looking forward to sharing more images from the amazing workshop I attended in January. Film Is Not Dead came to Australia for the first time and I'm still buzzing that I had the opportunity to be part of it. A full swoony post about FIND and its film-guru founder, Jonathan Canlas, is coming soon. . . along with a barrage of photos of course ;->

Have a lovely weekend, where ever you are in the world

x x

old portra church

2011-03-16T15:21:00.002+11:00

Melbourne has such an abundance of beautiful old churches...

I love the details, old stone work and notes from a sweep-free Dean ;->

These shots taken in Spring last year with the now-defunct 160NC film

which has been replaced by the new 'finer grain' Portra 160.

new film lovers guidebook

2011-02-23T14:23:00.003+11:00

FILM IS NOT DEAD . . .

For any of you with a penchant for film photography and want to know more of the ins-&-outs of shooting film, you can't go past US photographer (and modern-day film guru ;-) Jonathan Canlas for the best tips and tricks in the trade.
Jonathan has been 'an open book', when it comes to what gear he shoots with and how he shoots it, for years now, as his blog, formspring and FIND workshops prove. Instead of answering 500 of the same repetitious questions every week, Jonathan has now released an ebook Film Is Not Dead: A Digital Photographer's Guide To Shooting Film. It's 96 pages of all you need to know about shooting film. It covers everything from which gear to buy to where to get your film developed and sooo much more!
This guidebook is the next best thing to his amazing workshop, Film Is Not Dead (FIND). . . but more about that in another post really soon! And to top it all off, Jonathan's actually one of the nicest guys you will meet - a totally genuine from-the-heart kinda guy.

The launch price is $89 until tomorrow (24th) - sorry about the late notice.

After that, the book will retail for $149 - but it's worth every cent!!!

kodachrome love

2011-02-22T13:35:00.002+11:00

Late last year I was given a box of orphaned rolls of expired film that needed a good home. Included were a couple of 2000-expired rolls of the now defunct Kodachrome. I had several weeks to shoot it then mail it to the US before the last remaining Kodachrome lab in the world, Dwayne's Photo in Kansas, would cease all developing - Dec 31st 2010.

I arrived at my trusty Post Office 10 days before the cut-off date. The teller proceeded to tell me, as I'm sure she'd done a thousand times to customers mailing Christmas cheer to the US, that there was a 30-day postage delay due to a US security alert. I could've died on the spot. 'Don't waste you money sending it express, Love' she said, 'it won't get there any quicker'. I could feel the welling. 'Stuff it', I thought, and mailed it anyway.

Two weeks later I read a newspaper article describing the emotion of Dwayne's employees as they processed the last Kodachrome slide on Dec 31st - a photo of all the staff outside Dwayne's. I knew I'd missed the boat. Took me a couple of weeks to get over myself, when a parcel arrived in the mail. To my astonishment, there were my two rolls of kodachrome, now neatly housed in white cardboard frames with KODAK emblazoned in red. Dwayne's developed after the deadline - my slides have Jan 2011 embossed on them! I was beyond words... so I made strange giggling noises instead, and jumped around like a crazy lady while clutching the slides against my beating heart.

fallen goddess from this shoot...

This gorgeous mane gives me fringe-envy!

I can always rely on this doll for a impromptu snap!

Beyond-talented Melbourne jeweller, Miss N

I'll be posting more amazing shots of Josie from the workshop I did in Jan.

She kindly modelled for 16 photographers over 3 hours - exhausting!

These shots look much better when viewed old-school on a slide projector.

My scanner takes away a little of that 'special something'

then likes to add a heavy dash of magenta.

Thanks to friends & beauties always patient enough to let me shoot them.

You are now recorded in Kodachrome history, girls. Be proud!

pedal power

2011-02-09T21:07:00.001+11:00

For more than a decade (if the stats I've read on the net are correct) Aussies have bought more bicycles than cars. Outstanding!

AE-1 / 160 NC

These four shots taken at dusk within 20 minutes.

Of course it's not hard to find cool wheels like these scattering the footpaths

in Collingwood & Fitzroy - at any given hour.

lanky Gran

2011-02-09T20:48:00.000+11:00

This photo of my Grandma, as an 18 year old heading to work, was a taken by a random photographer. Apparently popular in those days, photographers would stalk city-folk with their lens and take a photo unannounced. After taking the shot they would hand the passer-by a business card, along with a friendly sales pitch, with the hope they'd come by the studio to purchase a print.

Anzac Square, Brisbane 1942-43

Grandma worked for Atcherley & Dawson Tea Merchants in Adelaide St, as an admin gal. She also made many pots of tea during the day for the senior staff, scooping only the freshest tea from the packing room for each brew. Luckily for her, she was the last employee they hired before the war. Jobs were mighty scarce after that.

journeying through 2011

2011-01-04T13:59:00.000+11:00

Now that the second year of the 'twenty tens' has arrived, I'm sure most of us have already scribbled our list of new year's resolutions on a cocktail napkin, deep inside a moleskine or, as a true analogue-phobe would, lodged them on an i-phone.

AE-1 / 160NC

The seed of our resolutions come to us quickly enough, but following them through, before the next new year is upon us, is always a challenge. I think if they come from the heart, from genuine feeling, then they're more likely to evolve for us.

AE-1 / expired '95 fuji

Mine this year are all working toward my creative dream - to be doing what I love and working for myself. It will be an intense 12 months for me and I'm excited about living through it and also terrified of it. It can be a scary thing, putting your heart and soul out there, but it's all part of our personal growth which is never a bad thing ;->

Holga GN

I can't wait for this year's journey to kick-start with an amazing 3-day photography workshop I'll be doing in two weeks. I've been counting down for months now and it's almost here... the butterflies have started! I'm sooooo excited about it, I can't tell you! There'll be so much to learn, which is what I live for... discovering new possibilities is what makes life exciting. I'm looking forward to see where it takes me and my dream this year.

AE-1 / expired '95 fuji

Good luck to all of you in 2011

and I hope your dreams & resolutions

come to life for you too...

how quickly they grow

2011-01-03T19:08:00.000+11:00

Most of us usually get a Christmas card with a photo of someone's kids on the front. Mine arrived from some friends that I haven't seen since May, so theirs also doubled as a see-how-much-our-two-girls-have-grown card! These shots were taken early last year, just before their youngest was born. Amazing how that elegant bump is now a gorgeous 8-month-old!

I wish the four of you a beautiful 2011!

x x x x

And I hope everyone finds a little more time this year

to spend with family, loved ones & friends . . .

grandpa, the brownie & some big rocks

2010-12-13T18:08:00.000+11:00

My Grandpa Frank would've been 90 a couple of weeks ago. Every year on his birthday my family sift through old photos of him. Thought I'd share some pics of his climbing days from the 1940s. The photos were taken with two Kodak Six-20 Brownie box cameras, one of which belonged to my Grandma. It now sits in a cabinet at her home and is in amazing condition considering it climbed several mountains over 60 years ago! The photos aren't in good condition but I hope they give you a sense of his climbing adventure...

Glass House Mountains, Queensland

Mt Lindesay summit - Jan 1944

Grandpa Frank centre (holding Grandma's Six-20), Grandma (in overalls

hand-embroidered with her initials ;-) & my great Uncle Milton left

Before the climb - Crookneck (Mt Coonowarin)

Glass House Mountains - Oct 1943

After the climb - Crookneck summit

Grandpa w/ Brownie, Great Uncles Milton (right) & Henry (left)

Mount Beerwah summit - Nov 1943

Grandpa right, Henry sitting, Milton & my Great Aunt Glad

Grandma w/Brownie, Grandpa etching his initials

Aunty Glad ghost-like in the background...

Descending Mount Beerwah

Grandma and Grandpa left w/ Henry, Glad & great aunt Ada (?)

Can you believe the aunts wore dresses climbing?!

My Grandpa passed away over 30 years ago after being hit by a drunk driver who, subsequently, was never charged. The enormity of this tragedy still resonates within my family, so it's a blessing we have old photos like these so we can see him living life with a smile.

original polaroids for sale

2010-12-07T12:03:00.001+11:00

I have original polaroids in custom-made frames now available for sale online! The dissected polaroid (600 film) has been custom-framed - float-mounted in beautiful hand-stained wooden frames with soft black finish. The polaroids are the original, straight out of the SX-70 camera, natural-born photograph. You'll find no other like it!

top to bottom:

ANTIQUE BOTTLES I, LEMON BRANCH, ANTIQUE BOTTLES II

Free shipping before Dec 31st

anywhere in Australia!

There's a few more available from this dissection series, along with some spectra polaroids (originals of course ;-) and a lone black & white holga print waiting for a nice home. Visit my madeit store for more goodies... x x

botanical beauty

2010-11-30T17:45:00.137+11:00

My buddy, Gedal, invited me to join a shoot a couple of weeks ago with his friend and model, Nimet. We spent the afternoon in the Botanical Gardens shooting Nimet in a beautiful vintage 60s wedding dress. She was an absolute delight to work with and looked amazing no matter what the angle! Such stunning Turkish / Lebanese genes! Thanks for having me Gedal - what a great day it was...

one of the final shots of the day - thank you light !

Thanks to Tania for the amazing make-up - Nimet's eyes looked incredible! All shot with 85mm 1.8, slight level adjustment, real lens flare (no fake PS one ;-) and lots of glorious natural light...

wedded sis...

2010-11-30T17:32:00.004+11:00

August seems so far away, but left us so quickly. About time for a handful of pics from my Sister's wedding! After a small ceremony, in an quaint 140-year-old timber chapel, guests strolled back to the couple's home for a poolside reception surrounded by giant paper lanterns...

roses were the order of the day. . . she loves them!

Congrats again guys and I wish you all the happiness in the world.
Hope you get a break from the IT world soon...

b&w triple mix

2010-11-09T00:08:00.000+11:00

Some b&w analogue shots . . . just because

Polaroid 100 - Fuji FP100B

Canon AE-1 - Kodak BW400CN

Holga 120GN - Efke R100

No matter which camera or film I use,

I love the result of black and whites in any way, shape or form!

spring is here . . .

2010-10-27T10:27:00.000+11:00

Hope you Melburnians are enjoying the sunshine...

Olga & Cath's 18th

2010-10-21T14:38:00.004+11:00

Here's a handful of digital & some holga shots from the recent 18th. I wanted to capture the feel of their night . . . crazy lights, DJs (3!), dancin' and friends. The disco lights made for some awesome lens flare - it ain't photoshop! I'm lovin' the contrast of the digital shots with the black & white holga images. All the kids - sorry, young adults - looked like models so it wasn't hard not to get a bad shot of anyone. Must be something in the water over here . . .

I had a ball shooting this night - thanks Olga & Cath !

X X

holga prints for sale

2010-10-16T23:30:00.003+11:00

Thought I'd post my new holga shots that are part of the show at Dench. Five of these photographs were captured in the last two weeks! There are two sets of three - each print sold separately. Enjoy...

cotton clouds

spring blossom

tinder dusk - SOLD

These above three are 8x8" prints in a 14x14" stained birch frame.

Printed on archival 100% cotton rag made in France.

This paper is so delicious you could eat it!

forum

city reflections

urban faith II

These are 5x5" prints mounted in an 8x8" deep-set floating frame.

These black frames look great and makes the image 'pop'.

Same tasty paper - posh French stuff - pure cotton rag.

Show ends Thursday 28th !

Dench Bakers

109 Scotchmer Street

North Fitzroy

off St Georges Rd

around the corner from Piedmontes

OPEN 7 DAYS

we grow up so fast

2010-10-16T19:03:00.000+11:00

I photographed an 18th birthday party a couple of weeks back and am finally getting around to choosing a handful for a post. As I sift through the images I am still blown away by how gorgeous my little friend has become. She has always been a beautiful girl, yet seeing her b'day pictures reminds me of how quickly time passes us. I was a tad older, than she is now, when she was born.

holga (of Olga ;-) & expired 400TMY

with cousin Jac - post cocktails ;-)

I've taken many photographs of her, and her two cousins, over the last 18 years and I wanted to share some 'before' shots. . . before they grew into feisty young women to be reckoned with!

1998

1996

1997

She prayed hard for those shiny red shoes. . .

but little did she know how much they would kill her feet

on the night of her 18th.

solo show...

2010-10-09T00:13:00.004+11:00

' for the love of analogue ' is the title of a small collection of my polaroid and holga photographs now showing at Dench Bakers in North Fitzroy. Square (& almost) format only, if you please!

There are 22 images in total and only 9 are prints - all the rest are original polaroids framed for your pleasure. You'll find ten, 600 film 'dissections' in lovely custom-made frames. Stripped of their iconic white border, they're truly one-of-a kind pieces.

Spectra film makes an appearance in a series of three titled Yarra Valley. The film was a few-years expired when I took the photos, so they have a beautiful sheer 'pinkish' streak.

Since I've been firing off rolls of 120 lately, like that rampant jungle-shooting scene from Predator, I had to include some Holga images. Six in total and all printed on 100% cotton archival rag.

The only three shots to come out alive from my first lot of the new PX-100 polaroid film, by The Impossible Project, are available as an 8x8 print. One of each, printed on divine Arches Velin Museum Rag in a birch frame. I've also included the original polaroids, framed, with a 'not for sale' sign ;-) Nice to see the original along side the print...

Below: series of four 'antique bottles' 600 dissection.

These polaroids were very hard to part with...

I won't be sad if they don't sell!

So get your skates on and swish on down to Dench for some fine coffee and delicious store-baked goods that would make any gluten-free freak jump the fence. And don't forget to check out the lo-fi analogue love while you're there...all images for sale.

109 Scotchmer St

Nth Fitzroy

open 7 days a week

Show runs from Friday 8th - Thursday 28th October

Be there and get squared!

Where has the month gone?

2010-10-08T20:11:00.002+11:00

I wonder how often the term 'blog neglect' has been used as a post title for bloggers around the world? I have excuses as long as my arm. My sister & her man must think they'll never see the second half of their wedding photos. 'You will guys, I promise.'

love you guys !

The last four weeks have been the busiest I've encountered for ages. Excuse number one. Anyway, I promise to post wedding pics pronto (didn't I say that a while back?) and will get cracking on the second installment asap. Two of my other excuses (photo related ;-) will be posted about in the next couple of days.

holga wedding love...

2010-09-10T12:06:00.002+10:00

Okay, so finally I'm posting some analogue shots from the wedding as promised - although not the 35mm ones. Some of my favourite pics from the evening came from my trusty little holga (which doesn't get as much use as it should, thanks to my polaroid obsession) and some tasty b&w film. Here's one of the proofs and a few happy snaps.

Enjoy...

One of my favourite bride shots from the entire day

So cute! You'll see the 'other' twin soon...

First time I've used the holga's hot shoe flash...

It packs a mighty punch close up!

one sneak peek...

2010-09-01T17:50:00.000+10:00

more to come soon...

x x

blog neglect

2010-08-24T13:49:00.002+10:00

The wedding was great fun and it's taken a good two weeks to wind down, just! It's been a busy few weeks - poor blog - and no wedding pics to show just yet. Will be doing a little 'nip & tuck' on the digitals this week. In the mean time I'll try and post some analogue shots from my Sis's big day, later this week. Got a few goodies!

This is my favourite shot from my trip, taken during one of my many strolls exploring the local neighbourhood. The vingetting-love the AE-1 gives is heavenly! Kodak Gold (yes, shamefully guilty) and its oversaturated blues... you either love it or hate it. Works a treat for this shot, no?

Watch this space for upcoming

wedding pics . . .

Oh, and if you'd like to check out my latest post on the indie art & design blog... it's a wee blurb on Craft Victoria's 40th this year. It's a little late in posting, so some of the August events are finished. Just check Craft Vic's website for updates.

a little 35mm love

2010-08-01T09:46:00.001+10:00

Brushed off the cobwebs from my beloved old AE-1 a few weeks back and took it for a spin. It's been a while since I've used this 70s delight - one does get distracted with the joys of polaroid. Most of the shots where underexposed and then came back from the lab with this sepia colour cast.

Travelling interstate on Monday to shoot my kid sister's wedding. I'll be using polaroid, 120, 35mm and of course the common fallback - digital. Look forward to posting some shots when the wedding dust settles.

PX-100 experimental

2010-07-13T12:22:00.003+10:00

I've finally cracked open my two packs of PX-100 First Flush. I knew the film wasn't going to be perfect and that it would be more trial and error than anything. Thought I'd share the results in the order that the shots exited the SX-70. Did I throw a tanty or two? Maybe.

First pack results . . .

#2 & #3

The first shot didn't develop and looks just like a blank polaroid - although I saw an outline of the image (in the talked-about vivid blue) as soon as it shot out of the camera. Then it vanished back to where it once came.

I then remembered the cold-clip trick - thanks fellow PX-100 users! Being winter here, #1 probably got frostbite. The rest of the shots went straight into a warmed cold clip then back into the pocket for a few minutes. I can't say that did the trick for all of them, though.

#2 & #3 jammed simultaniously and the SX-70 made some very angry noises before coughing them out. Who knows what happened to #4. The last four shots are as good as I could get with the first pack. The different light situations for each one created such different tones. Love the contrast between #6 & #7.

Second pack results . . .

I don't want to talk about #1, #2 & #4 (as they lay on my desk in their blank creaminess). I don't really want to talk about #3, #5, #6 or #7 either, but wanted to share the results with fellow PX-100 explorers. Insert tanty / hissy-fit here! Not sure what caused the Voyager beam / flash-sync look on #8. Indirect sunlight was coming from the window to the right and seemed to collect in cup of the silver spoons. Guess I should be happy I got at least one photo from the second pack.

Hope you're having better luck with yours!

instant shrine

2010-07-01T17:57:00.003+10:00

I walked over to the Shrine this week to take some snaps.

I bought along my SX-70, 100 & 320

to capture the passages, lights, beautiful ceilings & heroic triumphs.

And that wonderful 360 rooftop view of Melbourne!

SX-70 - expired 600 film

100 - 100b film

320 - 100c film

It's truly an amazing place that stirs the senses,

no matter how you feel about war.

laughs on banksy

2010-06-10T10:22:00.004+10:00

Banksy's new film Exit Through the Gift Shop is a hilarious insider's view into the world of street art. What began as someone else's film years before, is now a remade Banksy-directed gem. An LA-based Frenchman shoots thousands of hours of film, of famous street artists at work around the world, only to produce a really shit film. Bansky sees it, hates it, then remakes an entirely different film using the Frenchman's footage.

Banksy's Little Diver

taken March '08 - pre perspex / vandalism

I have a tremendous dislike of intellectual theft - especially when the perpetrator becomes a profiteer. But, I guess it's for the viewer to decide whether the whole Mr Brainwash persona is the real deal or, as many have speculated, a Banksy hoax. At the end of the day, who really cares. The film is golden.

Playing at ACMI until June 21

congrats to madeit winner

2010-06-04T11:15:00.002+10:00

CONGRATULATIONS FRANCINE !

A 6x8 misty palms print is on its way to Francine of Kuluin, Qld,

who won madeit's weekly giveaway last week.

You've gotta be in it to win it!

Their blog is a fun read too.

The above polaroid print is available at my madeit store

in 6x8 or 8x10 with white or black mat board.

Lovely Luna

2010-06-03T13:39:00.000+10:00

I've always found animal obituaries a bit weird. Perhaps it was living in America for several years and hearing about the honorary extremes that owners would indulge for a deceased pet. Things like taking a cruise so they could scatter Pookie's ashes into the Gulf of Mexico, building marble shrines in surburban backyards or hanging larger-than-life animal portraits on a bedroom wall. But, today I find myself doing the same animal-love obit via blog post.

Some dear friends lost their pooch, Luna, yesterday after complications from surgery. She was the best dog, even if she greeted you with an obligatory snout-up-the-bum every time you visited. The last time we hung out (which is exactly what you did with a cool dog like her) she walked over to me and sat on my legs. I was sitting on a kid-sized chair and she made herself comfortable - back feet off the ground, front feet on the ground. Pretty funny for a dog as big as a Ridgeback.

Her whiskers had turned grey and she'd had good life.

handsome old chappies

2010-05-31T16:07:00.001+10:00

I have a bit of an obsession with old photographs, especially family shots and portraits. There's something magical about them. My aunt has a large collection of dead ancestors gracing the walls of her home and I've been fascinated with them since I was a kid. But this attraction to family mug shots extends beyond my own bloodline. I love finding dusty old photos at garage sales, markets and op shops and have accumulated quite a pile over the years. These are two recent finds that I bought in a ziplock bag with several others.

What is it about the eyes?

They're so life-like they could follow you around the room.

Classy gold-embossed cards to mount your family snap-shot.

Well, hardly a snapshot when you consider the size of the cameras used in portrait studios back in those days. Now with 10c digital prints available from your local photo machine, will portrait photography live on?

lenko store - indie post

2010-05-25T11:12:00.002+10:00

The lovely Dana Lenko allowed me to pick her brains and photograph her Cathedral Arcade store a couple of weeks back for my next indie art & design post. The i love lenko post is up and running today so pop by the indie blog for a gander.

Lenko Boutique - Cathedral Arcade in the Nicholas Building

corner of Flinders Lane & Swanston St, Melbourne

Thanks Lenko & Dana !

X X

brrrrr...

2010-05-24T14:09:00.000+10:00

Thought these images would thaw the mind from the chilly & wet day Melbourne has brought upon us today. Taken on a late & sunny afternoon last week.

polaroid 320 with fp100

craft victoria tote bag comp

2010-05-20T17:42:00.001+10:00

Fancy bedazzling a commemorative tote to celebrate Craft Victoria's 40th birthday? There are prizes to be won! For a measly $12 you can get your hands (no pun intended) on one of these limited edition, Aussie-made calico totes printed with self-portraits of Adam Cruickshank & Dell Stewart's hands. So romantic!

design by Adam Cruickshank and Dell Stewart

Decorate, illustrate and create whatever your heart desires then send a photo of your masterpiece to Craft Vic by June 11th. Winners announced at the 40th anniversary dinner, June 17. Only 250 'Holding Hands' tote bags were made, so get in quick! Details in the bag...

first indie post

2010-05-14T17:53:00.003+10:00

My first post for the indie art & design blog went live today. I popped over to the first Modish Market last weekend at the Malvern Town Hall in Melbourne, took a few snaps and chatted to some lovely designers/artists. Fell in love with lots of goodies especially this crocheted necklace by lore lore . . .

Check out the indie blog, leave a comment if you like . . .

and feel free to blog the link and share with friends and followers.

Thanks Kylie & Kelly for the lovely post on Modish !

Thanks to all the artists who let me photograph their stall.

Not everyone was included in the post,

but I will contact those of you not featured and email some pics.

WIN $100 madeit voucher !

2010-05-13T14:28:00.005+10:00

Want to go in the running to win a madeit voucher worth $100?

Sure you do. Who wouldn't?

To celebrate the madeit ad in the latest issue of frankie mag madeit are offering this little treat to one lucky shopper. All you have to do to enter is buy anything from any one of 20 sellers featured in the ad. Read the full blurb on madeit's blog. Get on board quick though, giveaway closes 27th May. For moody polaroid prints, click here.

Good luck!

pretty percy

2010-05-10T17:00:00.001+10:00

Even though my camera is usually drawn to urban scenes of alleys, old buildings and grafittied walls, I do have a girlie side. I fell in love with these divine silk flowers while surfing etsy one day and nominated them for a wedding-themed etsy voter. I've a habit of plugging Aussie designers on etsy voter! Tania is the talent behind the Canberra-based Percy Handmade.

honey gold hair pins . . .

silk rosettes . . .

oyster blossom . . .

Tania's flowers are reminiscent of the days of Coco Chanel. I can picture a 1930s gangster's girlfriend with these pins in her hair. Maybe it's my 20-something past as an Alannah Hill shop-girl that attracts me to Tania's designs. At least Tania won't rouse at me for not wearing enough lippy or rouge! Perhaps it's because my kid-sister's wedding is only three months away and I've finally found the perfect hair accessories.

Visit Tania's etsy store to find more pins, clutches and beautiful sash belts.

She even does custom orders!

april full moon

2010-05-04T17:18:00.001+10:00

I couldn't resist its glow . . .

100 camera with 664 film - tripod with 15-20 sec exposure

much better - first try of the #583 close-up lens

Now I just need to find myself the matching focus adapter for the #583 for those closer range close-up shots. I guess that's why they invented ebay.

calico & co interview

2010-05-03T22:10:00.002+10:00

In the beginning of Feb one of my polaroids was blogged on Calico & Co, a Sydney-based blog owned by Amanda Fuller. Soon after this, and several emails back and forth between Amanda and me, it was settled there would be an impending Ginger Caravan feature in Monday's Spotlight - a weekly Calico & Co segment that showcases an Aussie artist / designer / crafter. Amanda posted my feature today. Check it out, post some comments, share the love.

Who knew I could waffle on so much?!

Thanks Amanda!

fave polaroid ad #3

2010-05-02T20:30:00.001+10:00

Here's a snazzy little commercial for the Polaroid Swinger. The 1967 ad offers suggestions of what to buy your son for Christmas. A dishy red E-type Jag, with its twin overhead cam shafts and wire wheels, or the Swinger - a steal at $19.95. But since the Jag can't deliver black and white pictures in 15 seconds of course he'd prefer the camera.

new pack-film frames

2010-04-30T15:37:00.001+10:00

For those of you that visited my stall at the first three Makers' Markets at the Convent this year, you would have seen the upcycled pack-film cartridges that I made into frames. Well, I posted a few on etsy today. With an original polaroid photograph inside they are truly one-of-a-kind. And at $20 each it's first in best dressed!

I've also reduced the shipping prices at my madeit & etsy stores.

Anywhere in Australia is $3 and international is now $6!

new madeit ad

2010-04-22T17:04:00.003+10:00

The new issue of Frankie mag just hit the stands and madeit has a full-page ad on #67. Quite chuffed to have a little mini-ad alongside 19 other madeit sellers. My pic (a cropped version of the polaroid below) sits next to a lovely clay brooch by Little Viking Girl - they look so good together! Hopefully the ad will lead prospective shoppers to my store, but we'll have to wait and see.

attic window II - EE100 camera with FP100 silk film

New prints now available on madeit !

I love spiky

2010-04-22T16:30:00.002+10:00

320 camera with fuji 100c film

100 camera with expired polaroid 664 film

Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne

indie art & design + me

2010-04-19T23:07:00.000+10:00

The lovely Carolyn Price who runs indie art & design has bravely taken me on board to write for the indie blog. I'm very excited to be a part of of the indie art & design family and I look forward to posting about the amazing artists and designers that Melbourne has to offer. I will be stalking boutiques, markets and studios armed with my camera and pen! I'll be introducing readers to local talent, revealing more about the ones already known, and letting folks know where they can buy the artists' work.

Indie art & design also has a fab online mini-mag, Feathered, and issue 2 was launched today. Carolyn has done a little feature on me and my photography (gulp) in this latest edition. Pop over and have a read . . . there's a great Q&A with the brains behind Finders Keepers, Sarah and Brooke, and an article by Carolyn on some tasty retro designs for the home.

Oh, and don't forget to check out the indie art & design shop where you'll find fab Aussie designers and everything from brooches and bags to lamps and ceramics!

fave polaroid ad #2

2010-04-15T11:46:00.000+10:00

Okay, so this fabulous piece of footage isn't really a commercial but it's included in my faves for more reasons than one. It was produced for Polaroid by Charles & Ray Eames as a promotional film to introduce the SX-70 to shareholders and executives. The '72 clip is brimming with kitsch, quirky music and of course lots of photos and the taking of. It should also appeal to those of you with a technical bent as the narrator describes the inner working of this landmark camera. It even Includes a closing statement by the sci-fi-esque voice of physicist Philip Morrison. It's infomercialism at its finest and one I can watch over and over again. This mini-flick is over 10 minutes long so you may want to make yourself a cuppa first!

welcome followers

2010-04-10T16:04:00.000+10:00

Thanks to the latest newbies for following the blog . . .

hope you enjoy the posts

and I look forward to your comments and feedback.

Em x

footbridge in b&w

2010-04-05T13:43:00.002+10:00

polaroid 100 with expired 664 film

fave polaroid ad #1

2010-04-02T15:46:00.008+11:00

Something I've been wanting to post for a while is a selection of my favourite polaroid commercials. Always been a bit nervous about loading up video stream to the blog, but might as well give it a go! I've dedicated the first post to Michel Gondry's 1997 ad. The story line, involving a disgruntled Japanese office worker seeking his freedom, is bought to life with Gondry's stylised camera work, the cool soundtrack and the amazing colours. What's not to love about it?

The multi-award winning commercial, aptly titled Resignation, was filmed in Hong Kong and Tokyo and is just one of the 30 or so commercials Gondry has made.

ETSY APRIL SALE !

2010-04-02T13:25:00.003+11:00

BUY ANY PRINT

FROM THE ETSY STORE

GET A SECOND ONE 50% OFF!

visit store

for more details

*sale finished 20th April

polaroid 'first flush' is here!

2010-04-01T16:49:00.006+11:00

For those of you with the slightest obsession with polaroid you will no doubt know about the demise of its film production two years ago. This was followed by the journey of its resurrection by the Impossible Project. On March 22nd the Impossible Project announced the release of the brand new instant film at a NYC press conference. Two days later they sent out the email: Polaroid PX 100 SIlver Shade is now available for the SX-70! Of course I had to order some.

I would've bought more than two packets but their shipping costs are enough to send the debit card into anaphylactic shock. This is why I don't have the credit ones! From Vienna Austria to Melbourne Oz in 72 hours with no other shipping option available. Tough.

They have named the limited-edition first release 'first flush'. "First Flush also denotes Premium Tea that is picked in the first season of the year, typically around March, and has a rich and fresh aroma - just as our new film." Cute. This is Impossible Project's first film - and the world's first ever monochrome integral instant film.

They've even printed the darkslides with 61 different quotations created by the Zurich University of Arts. The quotes are inspired by impossible projects / acts like brushing your teeth with the kitchen mop. Surely to be a collectors item as will the next batch released with the second flush of film. I was very excited to discover mine - I love the dreaming one!

The box has been designed to re-close so you can store your photos once they exit your sexy SX-70. It's all so very clever! I'll post some shots as soon as I've finished up the pack of 600 film I loaded only last week.

Oh, how this delivery cheered me up this afternoon. I'd like to think I'm not materialistic, and they say you shouldn't derive happiness from 'things', but what's not to be happy about this! Better than a 100 chocolate eggs. I can't wait to try the new colour format and spectra film when they're released later this year.

Check out Impossible Project's latest press release.

thou art a slack blogger

2010-04-01T13:08:00.003+11:00

I'd like to post at least once a week, but I guess time gets away from you when you're not looking! I've been keeping busy prepping some new prints, sourcing eco-friendly envelopes to pair with my cards (yet to find exactly what I'm after), working on a couple of pieces for upcoming submissions, playing with a layout for a new website that will link all of my work to one happy place and also putting the feelers out for a small studio space.

Yet on some days I feel like I'm running in circles as not all results are of the visible variety. Then a little self-doubt likes to creep in and join the party and you start to second-guess yourself and your work.

I need to keep myself in check when I start questioning what it is I've been doing and where it's all going. When the ground work for projects and change isn't obvious in a right-in-front-of-you kind of way, I sometimes wonder where all the effort and energy has gone. One needs a refreshing, yet metaphorical, slap across one's cheek to snap out of that space and to remind oneself that all these little things are helping lay greater foundations!

But there are some positive things happening around the corner. I have an interview appearing on a Sydney blog next month and, along with 19 other madeit sellers, will be part of a madeit ad in the next issue of Frankie mag. And I'm having a small solo show for three weeks in October (will release details closer to the date). All positive reminders I know, but somedays I forget to focus on the bigger picture and the current moment can feel a little flat.

Fitzroy Gardens - Fuji 100b

I get so absorbed in all the nitty gritty I even forget how good it feels to go for a stroll with a camera. It is one of my favourite pick-me-ups, without fail - movies are a close second! I finished the first pack of film yesterday using my newly-converted 100.

Hope you Melburnians have been enjoying the gorgeous spell of sunshine!

market this sunday !

2010-03-16T17:44:00.005+11:00

Maker's Market

Abbotsford Convent

Sun 21st March

10-4

1 St Heliers St Abbotsford

community room / ground floor

See you there!

barter, swap, trade . . .

2010-03-16T15:14:00.000+11:00

I love a good barter system. Swapping trades is a really satisfying version of 'work'. It takes money out of the equasion too, which is always a refreshing change. I've had two fab old Polaroid cameras in my collection for almost a year now and they've never been used (by me) as they needed a battery conversion.

Lucky for me I knew the guy for the job. When this particular multi-talented engineer / bike builder / designer friend of mine needed some of his jewellery photographed, he knew the girl for the job. So, trade it was.

Yeah, he's one of those clever people who makes stuff. All the wooden components are reclaimed Aussie timber and all the metal bits (pins, plates, bolts etc) he makes by hand. You should see what he does with bikes! I'll be posting a multitude of photos when mine finally emerges from its restoration.

So happy I can put these babies to good use now. They're firing perfectly and the 100 is getting through its first pack of film with out much trouble - although the rollers could use a little WD-40 lovin'. Will load up the 320 next and see how we go.

Another welcome to the latest followers and exciting to see almost 2,000 click-a-roonies!

emerging 'lonely chair'

2010-03-08T22:45:00.004+11:00

A mutual etsonian has stumbled upon my chair-in-an-alley polaroid titled 'vacancy'. She bloggered it on her fab blog Tuesday Moon Studio. Jan Weiss is a mixed-media artist who, as well as blogging emerging art & its makers, sells her creative wares on etsy. As well as browsing the talent on her blog, you must check out her beautiful prints on esty . . . Poppy Shadow is one of my faves.

Hope you Melburnians are loving the rain!

new prints at market...

2010-02-22T14:45:00.002+11:00

My second Maker's Market is over, and I am exhausted. Not so much from the day, which was relatively quiet for all vendors, but from the week leading up. I finally get around to creating the prints I had planned to do weeks before hand, plus an emergency trip to the city for that vivid light magenta, yellow & light light black ink cartridge that runs out of in the midst of my printing frenzy. Then there were the goops I'd been meaning to do for weeks - which meant actually finding the negs in the different piles I have scattered about the place. And all the many little things that add up to a few long nights with the printer (that would be my Epson, not some sweaty bloke in overalls with ink on his face). Anyways, nothing like an upcoming market to whip you into shape!

The goops are printed on honeycomb-textured pastel paper.

It's fancy French stuff, 50% cotton rag and works beautifully with the negs.

Some newbies for you petrol-heads out there.

I don't like cropping the delicious edges from goops but when a couple of guys holding beer cans get in your shot . . . and away we go!

Okay, so you've seen these last three shots before, and the tree goops, but now they're available as prints. I just have to get them all on etsy & Made It before the weeks out . . . well, I'll try to! Thanks to those folks that stopped by the market to say hi - but where did that Gemini Malteser get to? I look forward to seeing you all again at the next Maker's Market - 21st March. Will post about a week before hand to remind you locals ;->

Enjoy your week . . .

bloggered by a flickrer

2010-02-13T16:32:00.004+11:00

A flickr junkie named Steph has a blog called seen on flickr and posts one photo, chosen from the massive flickr pool, nearly every day of the year. Don't know where she finds the time! A couple of weeks ago, she happened upon an old shot of mine which she blogged. Shame I couldn't upload a more pixel-savvy version, but this is one of the hundreds of photos I lost last year when my crap PC crashed. And, hello Mac! So, this is uploaded straight from Flickr in a not-so-glam low-res copy. The flickr version is much nicer if you'd like a closer gander.

Blog stats: (incase you missed the column to your right ;-)

nearly 1600 visits (where do they all come from?) and 28 followers.

Thanks everyone!

upcoming art market

2010-02-13T00:06:00.004+11:00

SUNDAY 21st FEB

THE MAKER'S MARKET

10 - 4

ABBOTSFORD CONVENT

1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford

in the community room

ground floor

Mark your diaries...

I look forward to seeing you there.

Stop by for a chat, a little something for yourself

or that belated valentine's you still haven't bought!

Em x