I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time shooting something with just one camera. That seems to hold true not only for my digital cameras, but also when I’m shooting film too. One of the things I love most about comparing the different photos is how contrasting the results are for each camera and type of film. It’s fun to see how differently they turn out!
Like last summer up at Lake George! I shot this fire pit with every camera I had with me that day. How could I resist those birch logs!
Top: Minolta Maxxum 7000 with CVS ISO 400
Middle: Polaroid OneStep 600 w/Impossible Project PX680 Color Protect,
Bottom: Drug-Store Disposable Camera, ISO 800
Of the three film cameras I used, the Polaroid is probably my favorite. The older-model boat and central composition seem to fit the feel of the film here. The disposable reminds me that I need to remember to be aware of my horizons (oops), although the color is quite nice. And even though I love that shallow depth-of-field from the 50mm on the Minolta, the composition doesn’t call to me as strongly as the Polaroid. Incidentally, this was the first time I tested out my Mom’s old Minolta, and I quickly learned that it’s shutter release is very sensitive.
Note to self: Pushing down halfway on my film cameras will result in taking a photo. Anyone else have that “problem” from time-to-time?
While on our road trip last November, we took our time meandering along the Blue Ridge Parkway stopping at several points along the way.
Top: Drug-Store Disposable Camera, ISO 800
Middle: Polaroid SX70 OneStep w/Impossible Project PX70 Color Protect,
Bottom: Minolta Maxxum 7000 with CVS ISO 400
Again, I gravitate towards the Polaroid once again here. It holds a certain mystique for me, and I love the crop. Perhaps because the faded out colors matched the freezing cold temperatures I experienced? Whereas I do love the colors in the disposable, I wish I’d moved a little more closely before I’d taken it. I’m not quite sure what to think about the Minolta. Certainly it’s nothing to write home about, and I’m guessing I was practicing shooting at f13 or higher here. The colors just feel flat and the composition a little lifeless.
Note to Self: I used to keep a log of every photo I took while traveling so that I knew who/what/where I was shooting. Reviving this practice along with taking notes on settings could help me learn how to use this camera faster.
One last scene to share with you! This one was taken at Lake George and is full of sunshine! While enjoying a glass of wine on the dock, my Uncle Jeff agreed to be my model!
Top: Drug-Store Disposable Camera, ISO 800
Middle: Polaroid OneStep 600 w/Impossible Project PX680 Color Protect,
Bottom: Minolta Maxxum 7000 with CVS ISO 400
I’m actually torn on this one. I love how the disposable captured the scene. I love how the Polaroid caught his gesture and “froze” the moment. But I think despite the under-exposed frame, I like the Minolta the best. The dramatic light and closer crop just do it for me. Hopefully once I’ve had more time to experiment with this camera, I’ll be able to get it right.
So perhaps it’s not just how the images contrast against one another, how the different cameras captured the moment or how the different film recorded the scene, but in the end, how contrasting my emotions are when viewing them. How about you? Do you shoot the same image in multiple formats? What’s your experience been? Which of these shots speaks to you?
Holly ~ Soupatraveler
ps. ever since shooting for the Indisposible Concept, I always have a disposable camera in my purse. You might enjoy carrying around one too!
Lovely, Holly, and I of course like that I’ve been on that very deck!
I actually had different reactions to these photos. I really like the minolta in all of them, but especially in the birch one. There’s a certain richness of color and fineness of detail. I may prefer the composition of the polaroid in the first batch and the subject in the polaroid and disposable are more interesting in the second batch, but in all of them, the richness of the minolta speaks to me.
Oh man, I so completely understand and am right there with you. Going anywhere has me thinking “Ok, how many camera can I stuff in my bag?” then I get out there and always think “Damn it, I wish I had brought the other one!” I often shoot the same (or close to) scene with multiple cameras and I usually gravitate towards the film (lately my Polaroids, *always* my 330 if I’m shooting that, but I’m getting more and more surprised and happy with my Holga shots now that I have Ilford HP5 film!). (and yes, I’ve totally pressed “half-way” and *oops*…riiiiiight). That said, all the shots are wonderful and have different qualities. I agree with your choices, the Pola in the first and the Minolta (by just a hair though, I did like the disposable) in the second.
Glad I’m not the only one with this dilemma! 🙂
Yes! And I agree with the last set, all so good but for different reasons! Great interpretation of the theme.
It is nice to know that I’m not the only one that shoots the same scene with all my cameras. And also with all my lenses on the digital! I really, really need to get a Polaroid. *adds to long list*
I mention the Polaroid, because I am leaning towards those as my favorites in your images!
So interesting! I love when we take the time with our work like this.
Fabulous all of them!!! And, yes, I do that as well!!! I was just given the minolta maxxum 7000–it belonged to a friends father and he said that i was probably the only person he knew who would use it!!! i haven’t yet but you are inspiring me to do so!!! As much as I love the polaroids I am very impressed with the Maxxum and, I must say, also by the disposable!
I usually shoot a film camera along with a digital but now I must do film and film!!! thanks for this great post Holly!!! xxxooo
I’m so guilty of this Holly! I often drag my Mamiya, Pentax k1000, and lately the mini instax with me (and the digital too).. seriously need to look into a pack-mule.. haha. I’ve been having issues lately with good exposure on my Pentax, which has been very frustrating. And I’ve been thinking of using the Holga more which has gotten dusty sitting on the shelf. Maybe i could just clone myself, like 4 times…
I love your Polaroid images in the first two and torn between the minolta and the disposable in the last one. I’m just as guilty thinking ‘I’m going to write down settings, etc for each camera’, then not even pack any paper or use my phone to do it…
Great post!
I do this ALL the time! And I love to compare and contrast them. ALL the time!
I change the lens/film on the Hipsta app and often shoot the same subject looking for that special something…. I think you are right about the emotional pull toward a certain outcome and that can be pretty personal.
Love the comparisons! This past year I started shooting film and polaroid again and I’m loving the different feel you can get.