Back in winter, I bought a few packs of black & white 600 Impossible film. I stored them in the top shelf of the refrigerator and waited for a warm day before loading the Polaroid One.
If you’re not familiar with this model, it’s a party-style camera, the kind you passed around back in the day in place of a photo booth.
Fully automatic with a flash that’s always on, the Polaroid One lacks manual controls other than masking the flash.
That didn’t stop me though. On a warm cloudy day, I packed the camera in the stroller for a short hike. I shot away and into the sun.
I went wide then in too close. I let the flash fire away. When the 600 film came out, I slipped it into my back pocket to shield it from light coating my hand with a little chemistry each time.
I followed the rules and broke them. I blew out highlights, shadows, then ghosted some images with flash. A few frames turned out but none as expected.
On another warm but sunny day, I walked around town with the camera. My shooting pattern was the same, so were the results. I’m still not sure what I think about the pair, the black & white 600 film with the Polaroid One.
Maybe I need more practice or the stars to align or maybe I just need to embrace the elements of surprise with this film.
Nikki | Art & Lemons
I love these
Thanks so much Rhianne!
I love these shots, Nikki! I can totally relate to the feeling of “this is not what I was going for,” though. I find many of my Impossible shots grow on me over time. I wonder if you’ll feel the same.
Thanks Meghan, I’ve already changed my view of them and I do love the *magic* and surprise in shooting this way!
Oh but you inspire with the black and white film. I’ve never tried it myself, but totally want to give it a go now!
Kirstin, I think you’ll like this film! I just need to add an SX-70 to my collection…
These are lovely and a bit dream like. I really like all of them!
Oh, but I love that film, and you certainly got a lot out of it. I rarely get what I’m going for with polaroids, which is part of the magic for me.
These are great!
Great shots Nikki. I too use the Black and White 600, and find that I get a surprise with each shot-even when I follow the rules!
Thanx for sharing your work.
Ah, the B&W 600! This is my favorite IP film, by far. You have some really beautiful shots here – I especially love the last one.
I’m currently shooting with a silver effects impossible film, but I find the film coming out a little pink. Not what I expected at all. I’m dying to try some B&W.
such magical images. the first two especially really touch me.