Expiration dates

Last week, I noticed for the first time that my stash of Polaroid film expires in February. That's when it really hit me hard that Polaroid was discontinuing its instant film. When I first read about it months ago, I comforted myself with plans to save the several packs I had left for at least a few more years. Plan failed.

After some lamenting and shoving my film to the back of my refrigerator, I decided to stop sulking over the death of the Polaroid and, rather, make more use of my equally awesome Holga. It doesn't quite provide the same instant gratification or have the timeless white backing that so perfectly pins onto a corkboard. Sigh. But at least the photos are still square, the colors beautifully saturated, and the quality surreal.

And there are many cool ways to modify it. I finally worked up the effort to modify it to shoot 35mm film. The results I've seen from other people are fabulous -- being able to see your image with (and around) the sprocket holes from the film somehow makes the moment seem more beautiful (see here). That, plus the Holga's defective quality, really make the photograph feel timeless and original, unlike a digital print you can print within seconds at an automated machine at the local pharmacy. I'm still not very good with my Holga, but I eventually hope to shoot photographs and capture moments that feel like sad, lost memories, like these (Actually, those were taken with a Diana, but who needs to know?)

Anyway, I made the mistake of using really old film I found at home. Really old. I reckon they expired several years ago. So there is a daunting red glare in every photo, but at least I learned my lesson now. Check expiration dates.

I got it processed in Chinatown, at 88 Images, but they turned down prints because they said they didn't have the equipment to do it. So I did a little more research about affordable photo labs and trekked over to Lustre Photo in East Village to get them scanned onto a CD. Unfortunately, they didn't turn out the way I expected. No sprocket holes. I called and asked if this was the result of a misunderstanding, but they said they aren't capable of scanning it that way. Unless I forked out a shit ton of money to individually drum scan each photo. I did some more research, found out that I can actually scan the negatives myself with a flatbed scanner, tried it with my scanner, and then got frustrated with my cheapo scanner when it didn't work. I still have negatives waiting to be scanned, but I've already dedicated too much time and money to this roll of film that turned out to be way too old anyway. So I'll wait until I come back from Hong Kong to further frustrate myself over the matter. Meanwhile, I still have some pretty interesting prints:











I walked around Sunset Park's 8th Avenue, what is known as Brooklyn's Chinatown, trying to capture it as I know it. I grew up in the area, and spent much of my time here, so I thought it'd be neat to sneak in some candid shots. Plus, who thinks of this when they think of the glamorous New York City? I got yelled at by some crazy Chinese ladies for taking their photo, but I just pretended like I didn't understand what they were saying. Damnit, if only the film weren't so old!

In an effort to pack light, I'm not bringing my Holga with me to Hong Kong, but I'm considering buying a Diana while there... Where better to buy one than where it originated? :D