The Funny Faces of Ameeka Moore. Fuji GF670 + Ilford XP2 Super 400

December 8, 2022

In a world where there is no difference in lab development cost between C41 color film and classic black and white, it seems foolish to shoot C41 ‘fake’ black and white film. Perhaps that is why I never shot with Ilford XP2 Super 400 before. To the film-experimenting photographer that I’ve become, that is a strong reason to shoot it.

I grabbed the exceptional Fuji GF670 medium format camera, a simple ring light, and the talented Ameeka Moore. We shot a few portraits and I have to say I’m quite happy with the results.

A Polaroid Big Shot Review: featuring Willa Prescott. 2017

February 15, 2018

You feel like you know these images ... and you are probably right. The Polaroid Big Shot was a favorite of Andy Warhol and many of his most famous work began with this camera.

This Polaroid camera is almost entirely forgotten. A head-and-shoulders-only, weird-looking portrait machine, the Big Shot was made between 1971 and 1973. It is entirely plastic and has a fixed-focus, requiring the photographer to do the "Big Shot Shuffle" to get focused images. Both the flashes (Magicubes) and the film (Fuji FP-100c) are discontinued, with prices on both rising by the day. The future of the Polaroid Big Shot is as a curio on collectors' shelves.

But the Big Shot isn't dead yet. When I discovered that I would have opportunity to photograph the lovely Willa Prescott, I knew that she would be the perfect subject for one of this camera's last adventures.

Model: Willa Prescott
Time: Summer 2017
Camera: Polaroid Big Shot
Film: Fuji FP-100C

I purchased my Polaroid Big Shot from the Film Photography Project.

Jidai Matsuri 2013 - Portraits in Kyoto, Japan

December 30, 2013

On October 22, 2013, I found myself in Kyoto during one of Japan's most important festivals - the Jidai Matsuri. This is a celebration of the approximately 1100 years that Kyoto was the capital of Japan, before the capital was moved to Toyko.

Over 2000 people dressed in authentic period costumes parade from the Imperial Palace to the Heian Shrine.

It is a photographers dream, but rather than photograph during the parade, I chose to mingle with the costumed masses and capture some personal portraits.

I shot Kodak Tri-X, a 35mm black and white film known as the "photojournalist's friend" in my old Canon t70.

These photographs are also featured on The 52 Rolls Project blog.