Submission to Light Leaks

I Was Here
Polaroid Spectra Double Exposure by Tiffany Teske

Last minute as always, I decided to submit this to Light Leaks, one of my favorite photo magazines. Light Leaks is committed to featuring the work of photographers who work with low fidelity or "toy" cameras: Holgas, Polaroids, Pinhole, Diana, Brownie, Lomo, or Samplers. And if you click on each of those you will have gotten your photography knowledge for the week. I was one day late last time, so I am improving... I got this in with 1 hour 30 minutes remaining. Light Leaks is published in Canada so that is extra cool. The theme of the call for submission is evidence. Should be an interesting bunch of images...

SnoBunny

I live in a part of the world where winter comes early and while it is technically still autumn here, it did snow on Sunday. Only about three inches but the world was white and there was enough snow for my husband and my two year old to go sledding and to build a snowman. By Tuesday this was all that was left of the snowman, who to me looks like some sort for snobunny...

Blog Feature: Get Art Now

Thanks to FB Smith, for featuring me on his blog today. I appreciate the things he had to say about my work. I think it was this image on my Etsy site that made him check out my work...

Morag, My Dollar Store Doll

January, while in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, teaching a digital travel photography course, I answered a call for submissions for a project called Dollar Store Doll Makeover. I love to search online for submissions that require work to be made with Polaroid film. How thrilled I was to find one that combined dolls and Polaroid! Not only that but the woman who is curating the project, Pamela Klaffke, lives in Calgary and I have since met and befriended her. I look forward to collaborating on future projects with her. This weekend, she was able to get the dolls up online, including Morag, my doll. Each doll has a before and after picture and a short story to go with it. Very cool concept and a fun project to have participated in. It has inspired me to start a collaborative project of my own someday...

Hands...

I would have to say that hands are amongst my top five photographic subjects...



image copyright Tiffany Teske

Changing Direction

I feel very badly that I have let this blog kind languish here... I have two other blogs of my own, along with three group blogs I contribute to... that is not a just an excuse, I was also taking time away from this blog to try to figure out exactly what direction I wanted to go in. While I will continue to feature other Polaroid artists, and Polaroid news, submission info, etc, I have decided to upload one of my Polaroid images a day to this blog. Sometimes text, mostly pics. Phew, I feel much better now...

JPG Magazine Article

I wrote an article for JPG Magazine, which I uploaded to their site. I am truly hoping that they will feature it in their print magazine, in the issue where they will be featuring Polaroid portraits. Here it is: http://www.jpgmag.com/stories/4785 It is about my series Human/Nature.

five-art

I found out that one of the 4 images I had in the Five-Art exhibit in Tampa, Florida, sold. It is a Polaroid called Carrotts. Yippee!!

Featured on Etsy Finds

Today I was featured in Etsy Finds, which is in the Storque, and goes out to something like 9,500 subscribers! WOW! Thanks to Pamela Angus, who was writing for Anda. Here is the link, http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/spotlight/article/etsy-finds-the-columbine/1910/

New Banff Series Images

Here are the lastest images for my Polaroid Double Exposure Series on Banff. I need to come up with a much better name, one that is short but descriptive. I shot these before we went out of town but I was able to get them scanned today. As soon as the rain ends I am off to make more.

Banff Photo Series

I am being featured on this blog, which is exciting... http://zephiart.blogspot.com.


I started a new photography series today and I am thrilled. The idea has been brewing ever since I found a Polaroid Spectra camera at the local thrift shop for $5. It was complete serendipity that day because I went there hoping to find a Polaroid camera, knowing full well that it can be difficult to find what you are looking for at a thrift shop on the first try. I had 600 and SX-70 series cameras but not a Spectra camera, and the local grocery store had slashed the price on the 5packs of Spectra they had left so I needed one. Once I found out the camera worked AND it makes double exposures, I was hooked. I plan to work on this series for up to a year. It is about the area I live in, Banff, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Canadian Rockies. The whole series will be double exposures and I want to make images in all seasons. I want each photograph to show how humans and nature co exist in this historical place. So, yes, for those of you who know me, ANOTHER Human?Nature series. I don't plan to make more than one image each day I shoot, and I probably won't ahoot every day. I think about 100 images would be great, then I can edit it down to the best images and exhibit them locally. I shot three images today, which as I said is not what I plan to do after today, just one a day. I am very happy with the first image, which is of a Zebra print futon next to a garbage container and the sky and a small, pine covered, mountain.

This image is a van door with a tree.

This is one of the most awesome muscle cars I have ever seen, in front of an old house (I love that with these two elements and the Polaroid film that it could be in the 1970s, not today) with an image of the sky and clouds over it.

All images by Tiffany Teske

'Roid Week 2008 - Day 5

Image by Tiffany Teske

'Roid Week 2008 - Day 4

Image by Tiffany Teske

'Roid Week 2008 - Day 3

Image by Tiffany Teske

'Roid Week 2008

Wow, I feel so out of the loop, but I JUST found out about this yesterday, on a group blog that I participate in. Here are the details, and my first two days of this 5 day challenge. Check out all the results on the Flickr Group.

"About 'Roid Week 2008
It's that time again.....POLAROID WEEK! This one is a little bittersweet -- as you all know, Polaroid has stopped making their film. It very well could be the last Polaroid Week we have...

But until that happens, it's time to play! Post a Polaroid a day.

APRIL 21 - APRIL 25, 2008

Five days. Five polaroids. (or more if you're so inspired, just not more than 3 a day)

Starting on Monday, April 21 2008. Stock up on film (!), dust off your SX70, Spectra, 600 or Polaroid weapon of choice this week and start shooting!

Or dig out old squares you've found, stolen, or have had laying around since high school and scan scan scan.

Here are our requests: please post photos you haven't posted on Flickr before. Meaning, give us something new -- don't contribute a Polaroid to this group that you already posted last September. That's just plain lazy. Also, please don't post more than three photos to the pool a day.

C'mon. Play with us. You know you want to.

Love,

Cate n' Lori"



Images by Tiffany Teske

Featured Artist - Matt Schwartz

Girl with Blue Tights in Gumballs by Matt Schwartz


Girl with Rainbow Tights and Ice Cream by Matt Schwartz

Wow! I just checked out She Hit Pause Studios on Etsy. Matt was kind enough to heart my shop as a favorite and let me say, I was being honest when I hearted him back. His work is amazing! Not to mention, I am very envious, because his transfers are 8x10. I never have acquired all the equipment I would need to go 8x10, and now that Polaroid has stopped making the film, I probably never will. C'est la vie. And back to Matt Schwartz...


Girl Pulling Red Wagon with Records by Matt Schwartz

In Matt's own words:
"I am based out of Brooklyn,NY and make art and photograph weddings. My works consists of my version of the pin up girl,toys,candy,gumballs,records,record players,typewriters in a field,clouds,Coney Island and anything else colorful,beautiful and dreamlike."

Go check him out because otherwise I will be forced to post everything from his shop here. I love his work!


Nude on Bed by Matt Schwartz

Positive/Negative 665

The second ship of Polaroid goods has arrived at Unsaleable from Mexico...

"Usually we have to decide whether to delight you with some real positive news or to hurt you with some negative information like the end of the beloved SX-70 Blend.

Opening the big wooden box that we just unloaded from the rusty ship coming from Mexico we are excited to present the first POSITIVE / NEGATIVE POLAROID NEWS
ever. Lost for ages, very rare and among the most wanted Polaroid film ever, this box contains the biggest selection of positive/negative treasures in perfect condition we have ever seen in our lives. The following films will be put into our shelves with trembling hands and water in our eyes: THE LEGENDARY 665

No one dared to hope that we would finally hold this terrific material in our trembling hands one more time. Another proof that good things take time and that hope is never lost to source more rare Polaroid film in the coming years. This outstanding 665 film just expired 05/2007 and was carefully tested featuring premium results. A quantity of excactly 500 packs is available for all our loyal customers from exactly now on."

Holgaroid Backs

I have a Polaroid Holga Back for making Holgaroids and I LOVE IT! So, I thought I would pass this along to anyone who would like one...

1ST SHIP FROM SIBERIA
just arrived in the unsaleable harbour
We have to admit, that we were a little bit nervous about opening the very first box of our 5 thrilling "Secret Polaroid Supreme Shipments".
Especially because we received so much positive feedback on our last mail, informing you about the good news of new supply of rare Polaroid goods. What if the beautiful wooden box was empty??? What if it just contains Holga manuals or boring Holga Colorflash filters. Or even worse, some cheap chinese Holga accessoires from the Lomographic Society??

After a last deep breath the infamous Webmeister
slowly hoists the box's lid and..............

...with a big smile of relief and tremblig hands
lifts a....

HOLGA BACK
... brand new long awaited Polaroid Holga Back out of the box. Brand new version to digest type 100 as well as type 80 film.

To complete our total satisfaction and as well to give us enough reason to immediately open a bottle of champagne we also found 2 large cardboard boxes of outstanding type 100 films in the treasure chest, perfectly matching the Holga Back.

689 PRO VIVID
The super rare Polaroid 689 Pro Vivid. Introduced in 1992 as Polaroid's top-end professional color pack film. Expired in 2003, this film will knock you off your feet with it's unique characteristics and it's powerful color performance.

690 NAKED TWIN
Breathtaking twinpack version of the famous 690 film. Expired in 2004, featuring unique colors and a very special performace regarding retro-characteristics.

So, after this positive suprise regarding the content of the very first box, we hope that you will stay tuned for the next yet secret shipment "lost & found positive & negative" that is scheduled to arrive at our headquaters in exactly one week.

A RANT

Ok, so I told you all I had gotten a steal on a bunch of Spectra film. Turn out, the seller stole my money. I know better. I know that Spectra film that is more than a few years old can be crap. The chemicals dry up. But, I was inticed by the price. $75for 10 packs. I know Ebay auctions can be buyer beware (I have had lots of good luck on Ebay but also paid $125 for the Sex in the City Series on DVD, which never arrived; $250 for a Minolta 9000 which looked brand new but only took 23 images and then never worked again; now the Spectra film) but this just isn't right. I do plan to contact the seller to tell them it is all completely worthless. Guess I need to find a good use for a bunch of almost blank Polaroids...

Has anyone else out there had luck with Spectra that is really old? These packs expired on 01/02. The only part of the image that shows up is the blacks, very faintly, and there is a magenta tinge to the whole print. Would love to hear from others...

News from Unsaleable

I received this yesterday...

"5 SHIPS
loaded with Polaroid treasures
approaching the
unsaleable.com headquarter

Dear Polaroid Lover

First of all, please forgive us the long silence.
The last weeks were dedicated to our fight for a bright and long Polaroid future. As we promised it is now about time to dry your tears and to stop crying about lovely Polaroid films suddenly disappearing.

5 big boxes, loaded on 5 ships, stuffed with outstanding and super rare Polaroid materials and tools are heading for our headquarters landing within the very next days. Our Polaroid scouts succeeded once more in scanning the whole wide world for breathtaking Polaroid materials, that will blow our minds and make our analog hearts jump with joy as soon as we will open the crates.

As we gave you, as esteemed Polaroid customers, our word to always keep you updated we now inform you about the exact position of the ships, their cargo and their scheduled arrival time. As soon as we will open the boxes we will send you another short notice about the detailed content, giving you the chance to be the first to lay your hands on these Polaroid gems, before they get officially announced in our public online shop.

Goodbye Polaroid - An Illustration

I found this through Google Alerts. I receive a daily email about "Polaroid Submissions". The only problem with this is that I receive things that don't always fall into that category, if it is a large site, and it has several topics on one page. But, that can be a good thing, as I see the work of others, and in the this case it is not photography by illustration by Simon Brader who posted this as an homage to Polaroid on the Illustration News Portal. Very cool!

Expired Film Fun

I bought 10 packs of expired Spectra film from a company in Massachusetts for a steal, and it arrived a couple days ago. I am going to shoot a series on Banff, using double exposures. I have really been thinking on this a lot and can't wait to get started!!

Featured Artist - re4mado

I love well done SX-70 images so much! And now that the SX-70 Blend film has been discontinued I think it may be the first of recent Polaroid processes to ride off into the sunset. I need to get out my SX-70 camera and Daylab base and use up my film...

In the meantime, I will covet the images of re4mado, they are lovely! He/she (I can't tell which from the shop name) works with SX-70 and emulsion lifts. Check out the shop...


Chicago Planetarium by re4mado


Crown Fountain at Millenium Park by re4mado


San Marco Square in Venice Italy by re4mado

Polaroid Jewelry

I have to have one of these!! Check it out at overandover.


A tiny camera. On a chain.

Made from polymer clay, hand-painted with acrylic paint, and glazed for extra protection.

The camera is about half an inch wide, and 3/4" from front to back. It's on an 18" silver chain with a lobster clasp.

Featured Artist - Hilary Hitchcock

This is my favorite image Polaroid Transfer image by St Louis artist, Hilary Hitchcock.



Here is what Hilary has to say about herself:

I’ve been taking photos for several years. I especially like documenting things that are rarely seen or disappearing. The design sensibility of days gone by tends to make me swoon, as do rural Midwestern landscapes.

Check out her shop to see more of her work!

Morag - The Great One - Dollar Store Doll Makeover

Ok, so I FINALLY finished a participatory art project called the Dollar Store Doll Makeover Challenge. I say finally because poor Morag was staring at me in her "Before" state from several areas (I kept moving her) in my studio. I found out about this challenge while teaching a photography course in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico in January. I was doing a search on Polaroid submissions and this challenge came up. I was thrilled because it is based in Calgary, with participants from all over the world. I picked my doll from 100 on the site, and received her soon after I got home. She was sent to me for free in exchange for me making her over, photographing her on Polaroid in her "before" and "after" states, and writing a bit about her life. The images and story are sent back to the Secret Society of Analogue Art, posted to the site, I keep Morag.



I love the concept of participatory art projects. Over the course of this project I have exchanged several emails with Pamela Klaffke, who is the brains behind the project, and the whole Secret Society. I feel the same rush that she does about putting a concept out there and seeing how it evolves and what it becomes, when so many are involved. She is doing all this without a grant, which is huge since it cost her $9 just to mail my doll, which cost her $1, to me in Banff, which is pretty much up the road from Calgary (Canada Post sucks for shipping within our own country, don't get me started...). I feel I have met a kindred spirit (I love the internet) whom I can get to know since she lives close by. I plan to submit work to her creepy wonderful and review of meats projects. Pamela has me inspired to create my own challenge.



So back to Morag. I chose Morag because she seems a bit sad, a shy wallflower. I turned her into an art photographer who likes to take tasteful, nude Polaroids... LOL! Here is Morag, before, and after, in a dress made of stash fabric and a Polaroid and tulle, and a wicked collar, also made from a Polaroid. The text reads like this:

"For years, I had put myself on the shelf, so to speak... I was surrounded by creative people and the tools to be creative myself, but I was content to let fear hold me hostage. One day, I could hear the voice of my grandmother, who used to tell me when I was small, that my name was Scottish for great one. Tears filled my eyes when I remember how she had told me no to let being small get in the way of my being great. I got down from the shelf. I have decided to live up to my name."

Featured Artist: Butcher Walsh

This was on the front page of Etsy today, and boy am I glad it was. It is an original Polaroid transfer of the Crysler Building in an 8x10" mat and frame for $30. I have not seen Butcher Walsh's work before and I love this image. Here is the info I read in his profile:

I have been a photographer since 1987.

I can sew on a button and fix a car.

I also make movies.

Jobs I have had include bike messenger, telemarketer, Bergdorf Goodman window display artist, AC loader (film Biz), and micro cinema founder.

Check out his shop, buy his work, support a Polaroid artist!

Daily Post

SELF PORTRAIT EMULSION LIFT by TIFFANY TESKE

Today I am starting my daily Polaroid post. It may be my work or that of someone else. I am also planning to feature a Polaroid artist every week or two. If you are interested in having your work featured on this blog, if you have some news to share in the Polaroid world, or if you want to be the featured artist please email me at oldesage@hotmail.com.

Sunflower Daydream

"A lot of what fascinates me about photography is its ability to act as both the document and fiction, to be both true to life and completely removed from it." Ri Anderson

Well said! I was planning to post this image today and just happened to pick up one of many notebooks kicking around in the studio and found this quote which I wrote down ages ago. I love serendipity!! Here is a double exposure Spectra Polaroid print, one of a kind, that I made at the Calgary Zoo in late February. It is both reality and fantasy. And it is one of my favorite double exposures I have ever made. It has inspired me to start making prints of my originals and to hold onto the originals for the time being...

Can You Say ORGANIZATION?

It always starts the same way.... I am looking for something I know that I have... somewhere.... I think... maybe I got rid of it (highly unlikely since I am a pack rat and I rarely get rid of anything useful)?... maybe I only think I bought it (found it, accepted it from someone else getting rid of it)? it has got to be in my studio... or the garage... or the closet... it is here SOMEWHERE.... It IS here SOMEWHERE.... IT HAS GOT TO BE HERE SOMEWHERE... URGH!



Time to ORGANIZE. It IS spring. I never seem to get to the end, I just have starts and lurches toward organization and then the bottom falls out of the plan. I always think I need more stuff in order to organize, more plastic totes, more glass jars, more shelves when actually I guess I probably just need LESS STUFF. But, I have accepted that this won't happen. So has my husband (love you, Babe!).



All this stuff is part of who I am. It fuels my creativity and allows me to create on a whim. I am my own art/craft supply store, LOL. And since I can barely part with even the smallest scrap (paper of any kind is my downfall) I need to find better ways to know where it all is. Any suggestions out there? I am open to whatever anyone else with my crazy obsession for keeping everything for a collage, or you-fill-in-the-blank-now crafting project, can suggest has worked for them. In the meantime, I will continue to look for the bulk bag of pin backs I KNOW I HAVE SOMEWHERE and put that project on hold until I find them. And I will keep going through the boxes, getting side tracked by the lovely ephemera, and take a few more pics of my messy studio :)

I HAVE A NEW NIECE!!

I printed this Polaroid transfer in honor of my new niece! I made this image of a friend of mine when she was pregnant. I have been working on a series of nudes with food for several years. I have always used real people (ie: not models) who express interest and volunteer. I let them pick their fruits and vegies, but they have to be ones that have not been used before... Anyway, this friend and her mother both craved watermelon all the way through their pregnancies...

My niece was born in Minneapolis, just hours ago, and her name is Alexandra Lauren :) We can't wait to meet her. And I can't help but envy my brother and sister-in-law, who are spending their first moment with their new baby. We have such fond memories of that time. They are now having their baby-moon!! We love you guys!!

The Future of the End

That is what the latest message from Unsaleable greeted me with today. First it was the end of SX-70 film now it is the end of SX-70 Blend film. I need more! Yikes! I best get on it...

"TIME TO SAY
GOODBYE
Last 500 SX-70 BLEND twinpacks ever
Hard times for all Polaroid lovers. Our beloved SX-70 Blend film will far too soon disappear forever. Due to the fact that production of this sophisticated material is very complicated, involving a lot of hand-assembly, the decision to stop is final because of the lack of resources left in the Polaroid factory.

THE FUTURE
Polaroidlife goes on!!
Believe us, there is a future and Polaroid life goes on. We are slaving day and night to keep the wheels turning, collecting rare Polaroid tools all over the planet for never ending Polaroid passion. For every film passing away, we will sniff out and present 2 others. Currently 3 ships (and 1 mule) are crossing oceans loaded with splendid instant goods: The Holga back will return soon and there is a huge amount of breathtaking film-comebacks on our list. So please wipe away your tears, stay tuned and keep your cameras oiled."

Thanks for the warning, and the hope, Unsaleable.

Polaroid is DEAD...

Geez, that sounds positively dire, doesn't it? Seems to be a big topic of conversation for anyone who knows I do a lot of work with Polaroid processes. Yes, a big deal, historical in fact, but not so dire as to need such a dramatic headline. Polaroid quite making film cameras last year, so the rumor has been coming down, and funny that this all happened this week when 1) I am looking for consumer issue 600 film for a project I am working on and need to document and 2) when I went looking for a pack, I was told by one of the local camera store owners that Polaroid was going to quit making film. The thing is, I generally don't use comsumer grade Polaroid film. I use pack films, the kind that used to go in camera backs, to check lighting for pro shoots, BEFORE digital. The two part stuff that you need a land camera, or camera back, or Daylab for. These films, too, will not be made anymore. However, I am pretty much ok with all of this, a surprise even to me. I LOVE Polaroid! I will be sad to see it go but I don't think it will be abrupt. Maybe I am in denile, but I think Polaroid will die a slow death. I have read reports that there will be enough to fill the shelves until 2009 - 2011. I have quite a bit now, and can stockpile more. And I truly think that someone will buy the technology and keep making it. As far as the consumer stuff, Fuji does make an instant film already. And for the artists, well, I think it will be something a place like Photographer's Formulary may handle. There are always small niche markets that someone will supply. So, I am optimistic, and have too much info to sound the alarm like all the people who doesn't even use the stuff. And it has been a good run for me and Polaroid. I have worked with it and taught it to many. For generations photography barely changed, but for me, since I have ever gotten into it, it has been changing. When I was in University I had the distinct honor of being one of the few classes that was working both in traditional darkroom, while using and learning the very slow and frustrating first version of Photoshop. Photography in my professional life has always been changing. So, if Polaroid goes down in history, at least my work will be a part of it...