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!

Firepit_minoltaloFirepit_LGloFirepit_disposablelo 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. 

Graham_fence_DGraham_fence_Plo
fence_M_straightlo 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!

UncleJeff_disposable UncleJeff_LGlo UncleJeff_minoltaTop: 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!