A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I took a weekend trip to NYC to meet up with fellow Muse, Debra, and one of our awesome Muse alumnae, Lindsey. We had a lovely time strolling the city and looking for amazing street art. Having packed many cameras, we all shot lots of the same content with different mediums. These mediums included different types of instant films! I knew then and there that I would be sharing some comparisons with you here at Mortal Muses. I’ve done this type of comparison here before, and it always seems to bring about good discussion and thoughts about selecting the film and/or camera we use for any given occasion. I’ll be comparing expired Polaroid 600 film, Fuji FP-100C film, and IMPOSSIBLE Project 600 Color film.
First up is a mural painted by Bradley Theodore of the fashion world’s Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld. I shot the first two photos with the third being photographed by Lindsey.
Expired Polaroid 600 film shot with my SX-70 camera using an ND filter…
Fuji FP-100C film shot with my Polaroid 195 camera…
IMPOSSIBLE Project 600 Color film shot by Lindsey with her Polaroid SLR680 camera…
Second is a mural painted by Tristan Eaton of the iconic Audrey Hepburn. I shot the first two photos with the third being photographed by Debra.
Expired Polaroid 600 film shot on my SX-70 camera using an ND filter…
Fuji FP-100C film shot with my Polaroid 195 camera…
IMPOSSIBLE Project 600 Color film shot by Debra with her Polaroid SLR680 camera…
So, let’s discuss. Given that the content of these photographs is vibrant street art, the expired Polaroid film may not do these murals justice. However, if you like a creamy, vintage feel, the expired Polaroid film might be just the thing you want. As for the new, non-expired film options, the Fuji and the IMPOSSIBLE films have some similarities and differences. The colors certainly pop in both types of films, but the Fuji film has an edge on the accuracy of the color that was truly displayed in the street art. You may not be able to see that, per se, here online, but I think you can notice the difference in color when you look at the reds, blues, pinks, and whites in the photos. IMPOSSIBLE film has come so far and it is super exciting to see the vibrancy in color that their films are able to achieve. Another consideration here is square versus rectangular format and which you may prefer given your subject matter or your personal preference.
What do you think? What do you see as the similarities and differences? Which of the three instant films is your favorite? I would LOVE to hear your thoughts and comments. Let’s get a conversation going in the comments!
Meghan of Life Refocused
As much as I love my Audrey in the yellow frame (I think the frame makes it what it is), having seen the Fujis live I can say that they are something totally special. The colours are swoon-worthy to be sure. Sadly I just don’t think I have the dedication for all that faffing around with a good Land camera. You just keep making & sharing the magic and that will be good enough for me 🙂
Oh, Deb! The “faffing around” always cracks me up. And I wish I could convince you to faff around as I know you would adore this film even more if YOU were shooting it. xoxo
That yellow edged shot is killer, in part because of the frame.
I am super partial to Fuji’s way of capturing the color in their film. There is something deep and true to it that I love
*sigh* I know. That Fuji color film is the bomb.
i love them all for different reasons…nice shots, ladies! and i think we’d agree it depends on the photographer’s vision for end result.
i’m a sucker for the creamy, vintage feel but fuji sure knows how to do color!
Agreed, agreed, agreed, Michelle! On all fronts!
Hi Meghan, it’s so good for me to see the comparison, I never see this and learned so much. My taste, my vote = Fuji. The colorful frame is just perfect however! I used the color frames when we were in Brooklyn and I am in love with those images, so I’m ordering more film. PS. Bradley Theodore has an Instagram page, check it out. If you tag him he reposts images of his mural by others.
I am a big fan of Fuji, but I am also a big fan of IMPOSSIBLE. I use both, and which one I use at any given moment is dictated by my mood and what I am shooting! I generally use Fuji for color accuracy, though, and I use IMPOSSIBLE when I want something to look aged/vintage/used or if I am going to include text on the image. The extra space at the bottom of IMPOSSIBLE films makes them perfect for text.