FAUXLAROID

Even before the announcement that Polaroid would no longer be making their film, I was still a nut about using my film.  It was never exactly cheap and I hated wasting it.  Now that there is an impending end I am trying desperately to recreate with my DSLR the aspects that I love so much about it.  What I love the most is the soft light and its propensity to get overexposed images creating ethereal light settings.  I am not as in love as other about the graininess, I can live without grain, but the light slays me.  I have been practicing my faux techniques and I know there will never be a replacement for the real deal I am still enjoying the experimentation. Yes I know there is the Poladroid but it makes everything look dark and hyper saturated maybe it should be re-named as it resembles the moody images of another fave camera the Holga. (You can click the photo's to see better details)

I have to say I really love the detail and the almost see-thru like petals that were captured with the DSLR.  I almost exclusively use my nifty 50 lens (5omm-1.8).  I shoot wide open (my aperture was set I think at 2.0) with a super slow shutter speed to let in LOT'S of light. I did add a texture to the image, I give a very short list of what I did to the photo on the right here.

AND before you start getting upset that you have no light in your space, these were taken with the assistance of my Lowel Ego lights, well light, I have 2 Iights I usually just use one and a white cardboard sheet that I bent in an 'L' shape to reflect light.  Don't ask, I have no idea why I decided to do this light reflection thing, I don't even really know what the heck I am doing but it works, and it's a cheap solution to a home/studio with low light when I come home from the office and am chomping at the bit to be creative for myself!

I hope this inpsires you to try some new techniques this weekend, next Tuesday Alexandra Asher Shears has some awesome photo eqiupment tips with examples that will make you all giddy if you have been bitten by the shutter bug...