I have this camera, and it requires patience to learn. The biggest issue is exposure due to the 800iso film, but with ND filters and skill using the lighten/darken function you can eliminate most over-exposure. The viewfinder becomes ok as well once you understand how it links to focus (include the dark area when shooting infinity, only use smaller bright area when shooting close). It is also terrific for shooting long exposures with the remote. Not a perfect camera by any means but it is Lomography after all. They make a living from plastic and usually difficult experimental cameras.
I think you had different expectations than what an instant camera can do!!! I have the camera and love it, if you just shoot for fun and not expect the same results as a modern digital!!! It';s more just a fun experience, which i do feel you did touch on ... I have used instant cameras since 1970 and love the magic to this day!!!
To train my eye (and I wholeheartedly agree it's fundamental), I photograph with my mid-range phone. And with it, I sometimes make photos that sell, so I do have some winners. But I make them with the included photo app, meaning I have very little control on what the camera makes. Other than the most important thing: composition. As for the instax, I have a printer that uses the same paper but I use it when I photograph a live gig, to offer the musicians a print just after they've finished their set. It's my way to thank them for the music and I love the big smiles I get every time I do that. The only gigs I photograph are in cafes and such, of musicians who seldom see the photos that have been made of them, not even digitally, certainly not printed. So, there's a bit of magic when I do hand them a piece of my work.
Kinda comical to be critiquing the shots you got from a lomo camera the way you did. I actually ended up enjoying most of the shots you pointed out as failures.
"It's about having fun" - This is such a true statement, I may never scale the giddy heights of being a professional photographer or have my own YT channel with ,000's of followers, my images may never make a ripple in a judging round of a prestigious photo competition but all of that is unimportant if my photography gives me pleasure. I loved those night shots of the traffic signals and street lights, with autumn approaching you have just given me a great idea for a shoot with a roll of nice grainy HP5+ in my OM2n. You should have taken the Blad out for these shoots, buying and getting a roll of 120 developed is cheaper. Great video thanks Thomas.
Thomas, I saved up my allowance back in 1970 and traded my Kodak 110 for a Polaroid and as being only 10-12 years old, I was limited on the amount of film I could buy. But I do remember the camera cost me $97.99 and if and when I could buy the film I bought it and shot it up!!! A ton of fun!!!!! I also loved the fact that I could buy the B&W for a few dollars less!!!! I just absolutely loved the whole thing of taking an image and pulling it out of the camera and pushing the button on the tiny timer that stuck on the camera to tell me when it was ready. Oh Thomas, a simpler time!!! Thanks!!!!!&
You should try out a MiNT Instantkon SF70, the square format rangefinder version. $900 USD brand new, cheaper if you wait around for a used one, but you genuinely have shutter speed and aperture control with accurate rangefinder focusing. Of course, there are also custom Hasselblad, Mamiya Universal or 67, and Rollei backs that you can shoot Instax in, and those let you take advantage of the excellent medium format lenses on fresh instant film. It’s a lot of fun. Most of the Fuji and Lomo Instax cameras are nearly toys in terms of construction and features, which makes them great fun and good tools for going back to basics, but for more serious instant film stuff, there are options!
a camera is just a tool to create art. that being said if you're pinning most of your problems on the camera perhaps it's more of an issue with the photographer rather than the camera. I shoot instant film all the time and rarely have issues with it 🤷🏻♂️
This reminds me of the "pro-tog, crap camera" segment on (I can't remember which YT channel). There was always a professional photographer that had to shoot the whole day with some awful, cheap camera (Lego camera and Barbie camera come to mind). It always struck me that their shot on crap cameras were better than most amateurs with dslr's (myself included). It's all about skills and knowing the cameras strengths and limitations rather than the camera itself. And you have proven the point again! Not only did you capture some beautifully ethereal night shots in fog but even your misfire (ie minimalist tree branches emerging from the bottom of the image) is better than 2/3rds of my shots.
Pre-order placed! I have gotten so much pleasure from watching your videos for the last several years the least I owe you is a calendar purchase! Thanks for all the great videos, please keep doing what you do!
Can't believe you were in Trondheim. Would have loved to bump into you and say hi :) Great video, Tom. As always: I love your video style, pace and topic.
For a proficient photographer, I'd suggest using fully manual instant cameras like Mint SF70+ or NONS SL660, because while still having a poor light meter (compared to DSLR), they at least allow to use external light meter or use eye & sunny 16 without getting in the way of the creative process.
Just got a calendar and print!!! Been wanting one for years and years! Hopefully the Hasselblad collection is in stock soon, I would love do to that for Christmas gifts. Love your work!
Thanks a lot. I was really happy with how that one came out. I guess it goes to show that you can create something half decent with an instant camera. It certainly has a look to it.
Wow, have been seeing all of your videos for years, and wouldn't imagine you suddenly showing up in Trondheim. Would had been nice to meet you, big fan! Thought I recognized the scene from the train, but thought it would be impossible that its from our local train in Trondheim. But then it was quite amusing to see the hotel picture straight afterwards.
Oh, that lamp post in the fog - LOVE IT. On seeing that, I immediately thought of the George Formby song, Leaning on a Lamp Post which reminds me of my mum. That was fun to watch. Love your enthusiasm Thomas. Pre-order placed. ::)). Look forward to your calendar every year.
What I love about your channel is the sense of enthusiasm that you have for everything that you do and your willingness to experiment. Great vlog thanks.
Yes, loved some of those images.......traffic light, bridge lamp etc........but I imagine, that an annoyance, is probably that you're wishing you had the same shot, but as a large digital file that could be printed bigger, and multiple times.
I have an old Polaroid 600 from 2000 with autofocus that I bought at a local photography store for 25€ later in 2019. The only thing I do with this camera is photographing my little niece, weather it‘s at a day trip/holiday journey or daily life. I know that not all photos are „good“ or even „perfect“ but I love to take photos of my niece which I can see quite instantly „printed“ in an analog format j(it takes about 15 minutes to view the film) and hang on my wall. I‘m at my fourth film pack now. The prize of about 2€ per image is a downer but over all I love every single photo I shoot with this camera.
I love that we're to the place where the biggest restriction that Thomas can come up with to creatively 'restrict' his photography is to "shoot film." It wasn't all that long ago that shooting digital felt new and risky...
To be fair, it's not really "shooting film" that's hard, more like "shooting this camera". There's lots of amazing film cameras but this isn't one of them.
Great video as always! A month ago on holidays with my family I purchased an old Pentax Spotmatic F on a flee market in France for 30€. Lightmeter did not work (so sunny 16 had to help ;-). And I tried an AGFA APX 100 and took some shots in front of the Louvre. There was a short moment when an oldtimer passed by and I could only take two pictures. And I forced myself not to switch to my Nikon Z6. And the two pictures turned out absolutely great (in my eyes). So I can absolutely understand the feeling of limited possibilities. It must be even much more limiting with instant photos... Looking forward your calendar (and hope for the best ;-)
The last image had a few UFO's. As welll as before. I can see the pros and cons of film. Especially with a sketchy viewfinder. I can see how dust can cause problems. Ansel had a lower success rate with film. Even back then, a full format camera's film was expensive. You knew you were putting your money where your camera is. You get to the point where you ask yourself " Does it please my eye? Is everything there that I want in an image? Am I capturing the real story? I am 60 but I don't have the energy to do your B roll let alone the entire video. You inspire Thomas Heaton! Glad to witness your journey as I pursue mine.
Your enthusiasm and fun loving demeanour is infectious. I was grinning all the way through this! The images weren't bad too! In fact one or two keepers. Just goes to show you don't always need good gear! Nice one Tom.
I just tried to order your. book and your 2013 calendarl. Hard to describe what happened but initially my card was declined but almost instantly the bank notified me of the purchase, so I hope it works. I have to agree with the bloke beneath me here, the street lights photo was very cool!
I like the Missfired shot.!... It is another genre in itself, something different but why not ? If it conveys a mood why say they are a failure, not especially. The flaws (blurred, overexposed, double exposure, no composition...) can be the strength of such a photography type. Trying something new is always refreshing, it boosts creativity, doesn't it ? When you know too well the rules, breaking them is also fun. I wouldn't apply the rules to polaroids, they are not meant for that in my opinion.
2:57 - this reminds me of the scene in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty where Sean O'Connell talks about the snowcat and *not* taking the picture (Still have yet to finish the video but I already know it's a banger, just at work rn)
You might want to work with disposable film cameras. While you’re out with a fancy high end digital rig, pop off a frame of analog colour neg - yep, a real eye opener about what your work is really about.
My wife has a Instax wide camera that she loves. It is mostly used for documenting our trips and probably a good 75% of the shots are just of us at places but occasionally is used for landscape style photography. It is properly good fun and there are a few shots that we have taken on it that I like more than the ones I took on my DSLR just because of how simple the format is and there is no "fixing" of anything later on. You get what you get and when it works it is a great feeling. The amount of under and over exposed images is crazy though, really wish metering was better on it as well.
if you can, find a copy of Ansel Adams's Singular Images book. Its a collection of photographs taken with Polaroid Land cameras of yesteryears. There will be no more jokes made about ' instant photography ', I can assure you.
Try Instax in your medium format camera, guaranteed correct exposure. Instax mini in a Mamiya TLR works great. Am now trying out Instax square in a Pentax 6x7. OK, so it's a bit fiddly taking them out and loading in a changing bag but it's rewarding when they all come out as intended.
Didn't someone (perhaps Edward Steichen in the 50s?) set out with a Brownie camera to show that one doesn't need fancy, high-end gear? His premise was that good photography comes from within the photographer's mind and eye. This video reminds me of that. If anyone out there knows anything about Steichen's experiment, I'd appreciate a link or reference. Thanks.
When I first started in photography these types of videos were everything to me, because, well, if y’all could get nice images with a low grade camera then I certainly could get some with my measly starter camera. Would love to see more like this. A video with a disposable camera would be fun!
I have had so so many failed shots with this camera, I would presume around 50% at first. Now, I take some of my favorite images on it. Some days I get a keeper-rate of 80-90%, but it has cost me time, money and nerves. The thrill for me is getting unique shots on a retro-style camera that offers a lot of customizability (focus, multiple-exposure, timer, bulb mode, remote control...). My best advice for anyone using this instant-camera is: never shoot into light, never shoot during high-contrast-situations (sunrise / sunset), and lastly learn the limitations and figure out how the light-meter and viewfinder "think" in order to adjust your shots accordingly
My daughter has the budget Instax camera... Absolute minimal controls. She wanted to take shots of clouds but they were all overexposed until she borrowed my ND filters. I had to hold it in front of the camera while she took the shot. It worked but it would have been hilariously funny watching us trying to capture it.
Had to pause and comment at 13 minutes. Actually lol'd. That's one badass flex, Thomas. Never bought another photographers calendar before but now I'm gonna. Back after finishing the video. Really dig the traffic light shot.
Lomography is considered as an experimental art form to celebrate creativity as soft focus, blur. Thomas is expressing wisdom in use. The artistic view point of contemporary experimental artists and artistic photographers going outside of traditional means of detail. Andy Warhol of pop culture also did some experimental photo works in his day in the 60s,70s.. Lomo is a Russian art form that became popular world wide in the 90s onward. I took advantage of the calendar pre order offer, is truly an honor to get one signed, this is my gift back for working in the beating sun expressing artistic creativity with hundreds of kids. :)
I have a Lomo Instax Wide and I have had the exact same experience using that one as you have with your. I rarely use it because it's so hard and expensive, you have inspired me to go out and take some more pictures.
I used to do lomography, double exposures on film, ICM, make my own filters. I really liked that you didn’t how the results would be. I liked most of your photo’s, maybe they are not perfect but that is the charme of instax and lomography, it’s all about imperfection, wabi-sabi
Instant photography is a skill that needs to be honed just as much as film vs digital photography. I don't claim to be a professional, but I do a lot of photography in my day job. I've been taking instant photos since I was a kid. I'm now in my 30's. In fact, Polaroid photography is what made me fall in love with analog or film photography in the first place. I own this camera, and yes, the viewfinder can be frustrating. Sometimes, the comp doesn't come out quite the way you envisioned, but sometimes, it comes out better. I find the same to be true with almost all film cameras. I hand reload 110 cameras and 126 cameras with 16mm motion picture film and 35mm film, respectively, and part of the excitement of film, and part of the appeal (for me at least) is not knowing EXACTLY what you're going to get. Knowing that your image will NOT be crisp and perfect. Crisp and perfect, IMO, are boring. Wonder Bread boring. If you sit with this camera, take the time, and take note of the differences between instant and 35mm, or 120, or large format film, which again are just as varied as the differences between film and digital, you may have a different opinion. I respect that your conclusion is to go out and have fun with photography; for me, photography significantly decreases my stress levels, whether the outcome is good or bad, and perhaps the difference is that I'm very process-oriented as an "artist." But this is a great camera if you can overcome the learning curve that is unfortunately inherent to the machine. That said, I have yet to encounter a vintage film camera that hasn't given me a learning curve that I've experienced the pleasure and joy of overcoming. Thanks for giving me the outlet to express my thoughts. Best, Levi Lee
I have a Polaroid One-Step+, and while it also has it's quirks, I feel like the framing is pretty easy and I consistently get a better rate of good or even great exposures. I love the look of the Lomography Instant Square, but you're not the only person on TH-cam to mention these frustrations. It seems better to avoid of that specific camera and go for one of the better options on the market. Maybe they'll address some of these issues in a future upgraded version. Some of the FujiFilm Instax cameras get good reviews. I'd like to try out a few of those at some point.
I've never gone down the instant film route, but the urge for simplicity, concentrating on composition, minimalism, and contrast, can also be approached in other ways - for example a medium format pinhole camera or a Holga. That "dead trees lake" is a location I often use when I have a new film camera or technique to try out - you've inspired me to return there to shoot some 4x5 paper negatives, which is my new favourite method.
the nerd in me says no, the artist in me says go for it and the pixel-peeper in me says i can deal with it; maybe! Thanks for the fun video - take care and be safe out there....
I guess that the Instax square is preferable to use with portrait photography. Firstly the film itself has a limited graduation of contrast it can develop, so in landscape you loose much details. Secondly the lens has its sweet spot in the two near positions and here you can use the brighter part of the view finder, which is designed to compensate the parallax to the lens.
I think that imposing artificial limitations on ourselves as photographers is a wonderful way to bring out our true potential for creativity! One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was buying a second hand Holga off eBay for just under $10. I have many great cameras, some of which are very ‘high-end’ and yet some of my best images were made with the Holga.
This is why I recently got the SP-3 Square printer, I can still shoot with my XT20 or my iPhone, and only print what is worth it. The exposure and lighting still is hard to dial in even when printing what you want!
There's a lot to be said for simple fun. I took a Fuji GA645 medium format "point and shoot" (auto focus, auto exposure) to Harris and Lewis and didn't get many good pictures, but I had a lot of fun and the one or two which were good, I'm really happy with.
This was fun and simplifies things. It’s down to finding the right image/composition when still learning/understanding the camera but with some restrictions.
I have a body cap lens that uses one of those plastic lenses from a throw away cardboard camera. You can't focus and no aperture, just point and shoot. It makes a great change from all the technical decisions when using a "real" lens.
You could have gotten an actual Polaroid. They still make inexpensive instant cameras like the Go and the Now. Or, find either a vintage SX-70 or the Mint camera ($999 USD) that takes SX-70 film. I remember in the '70s, a number of artists (notably, Lucas Samaras) were taking Polaroid photos and manipulating the film emulsion with their fingers or other objects while the film was still wet. Maybe try that with your camera if it provides wet prints.
Great video and great shots. I like the message of challenging yourself. I don't think I will be looking into instant cameras, but I have already tried doing some cityscapes. Although not great pictures, it was great fun exploring my home city for a good skyline. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
great video and feels even more amazing to see night time shots looking really good. personally feel the fuji instax will fair better, a reason to come back to do this kind of video again next year
Hang on, are you at Arcot pond near Cramlington? Sure I recognise those trees, just down the road from me! Love the video, and the idea of instax cameras is cool, but not for landscapes! Fun times though!
Hey Thomas, immediately wanted to pre-order a calendar - but there has to be a cheaper way if shipping into Switzerland! I don’t want to pay as much for shipping as for the calendar itself (it would even cost less to have it shipped to Australia…??). Thanks!
You should look at getting a polaroid sx-70 or just using a newer polaroid or instax camera. I had a similar camera to this and it got frustrating, once I got a SX-70 with the proper viewfinder, I fell in love with polaroids
Wifey now pre-ordering the calendar for me for Chrimbo :) Agree with stripping thins back. Highly recommend you check the Rollei 35 / 35 S / 35 T out if you haven't done so. Neat little film camera with zone focussing only. Amazing fun and has taught me a lot!
![Lomography Diana Instant - An Instax Square Blast (From The Past) [Instant Review]](/img/n.gif)
2023 calender available for pre order now! Pre orders are signed and include a signed print; thomasheaton.co.uk/product/2022-calendar/
The rainbow shot made the cut 🎉🎉 Take my 💵
Haha. Thanks a lot.
Bummer, too late to get bundled Instax print ☹️....still get a awesome calender for Xmas 🤩
Just received my calendar, love that signed pano print! I'm definitely mounting it and hanging it!
Every time you said "sky replacement" I died a little inside. It's killing the art of photography.
I have this camera, and it requires patience to learn. The biggest issue is exposure due to the 800iso film, but with ND filters and skill using the lighten/darken function you can eliminate most over-exposure. The viewfinder becomes ok as well once you understand how it links to focus (include the dark area when shooting infinity, only use smaller bright area when shooting close). It is also terrific for shooting long exposures with the remote. Not a perfect camera by any means but it is Lomography after all. They make a living from plastic and usually difficult experimental cameras.
Agree, Instant photography requires PRACTICE but once you learn it the results are very enjoyable.
I think you had different expectations than what an instant camera can do!!! I have the camera and love it, if you just shoot for fun and not expect the same results as a modern digital!!! It';s more just a fun experience, which i do feel you did touch on ... I have used instant cameras since 1970 and love the magic to this day!!!
To train my eye (and I wholeheartedly agree it's fundamental), I photograph with my mid-range phone. And with it, I sometimes make photos that sell, so I do have some winners. But I make them with the included photo app, meaning I have very little control on what the camera makes. Other than the most important thing: composition.
As for the instax, I have a printer that uses the same paper but I use it when I photograph a live gig, to offer the musicians a print just after they've finished their set. It's my way to thank them for the music and I love the big smiles I get every time I do that. The only gigs I photograph are in cafes and such, of musicians who seldom see the photos that have been made of them, not even digitally, certainly not printed. So, there's a bit of magic when I do hand them a piece of my work.
Kinda comical to be critiquing the shots you got from a lomo camera the way you did. I actually ended up enjoying most of the shots you pointed out as failures.
"It's about having fun" - This is such a true statement, I may never scale the giddy heights of being a professional photographer or have my own YT channel with ,000's of followers, my images may never make a ripple in a judging round of a prestigious photo competition but all of that is unimportant if my photography gives me pleasure. I loved those night shots of the traffic signals and street lights, with autumn approaching you have just given me a great idea for a shoot with a roll of nice grainy HP5+ in my OM2n.
You should have taken the Blad out for these shoots, buying and getting a roll of 120 developed is cheaper. Great video thanks Thomas.
Thomas, I saved up my allowance back in 1970 and traded my Kodak 110 for a Polaroid and as being only 10-12 years old, I was limited on the amount of film I could buy. But I do remember the camera cost me $97.99 and if and when I could buy the film I bought it and shot it up!!! A ton of fun!!!!!
I also loved the fact that I could buy the B&W for a few dollars less!!!! I just absolutely loved the whole thing of taking an image and pulling it out of the camera and pushing the button on the tiny timer that stuck on the camera to tell me when it was ready.
Oh Thomas, a simpler time!!! Thanks!!!!!&
Great too see you staying creative. Keep up on the Adventure!
You should try out a MiNT Instantkon SF70, the square format rangefinder version. $900 USD brand new, cheaper if you wait around for a used one, but you genuinely have shutter speed and aperture control with accurate rangefinder focusing. Of course, there are also custom Hasselblad, Mamiya Universal or 67, and Rollei backs that you can shoot Instax in, and those let you take advantage of the excellent medium format lenses on fresh instant film. It’s a lot of fun. Most of the Fuji and Lomo Instax cameras are nearly toys in terms of construction and features, which makes them great fun and good tools for going back to basics, but for more serious instant film stuff, there are options!
a camera is just a tool to create art. that being said if you're pinning most of your problems on the camera perhaps it's more of an issue with the photographer rather than the camera. I shoot instant film all the time and rarely have issues with it 🤷🏻♂️
This reminds me of the "pro-tog, crap camera" segment on (I can't remember which YT channel). There was always a professional photographer that had to shoot the whole day with some awful, cheap camera (Lego camera and Barbie camera come to mind).
It always struck me that their shot on crap cameras were better than most amateurs with dslr's (myself included). It's all about skills and knowing the cameras strengths and limitations rather than the camera itself. And you have proven the point again! Not only did you capture some beautifully ethereal night shots in fog but even your misfire (ie minimalist tree branches emerging from the bottom of the image) is better than 2/3rds of my shots.
Pre-order placed! I have gotten so much pleasure from watching your videos for the last several years the least I owe you is a calendar purchase!
Thanks for all the great videos, please keep doing what you do!
Wow, I've never seen the pond that low before :O Many mornings spent in waders capturing those trees!
Can't believe you were in Trondheim. Would have loved to bump into you and say hi :) Great video, Tom. As always: I love your video style, pace and topic.
Pre-order done. Can’t wait to receive the calendar. Thanks for yet another great TH-cam episode, I’m a big fan. Greetings from the Netherlands
I'm a wedding photographer and I bought one. I take candids all day and deliver them at dinner to the bride and groom. They love it!
Some cracking images in there Tom and it looks like a camera that you can have a lot of fun with, tempting 😬
For a proficient photographer, I'd suggest using fully manual instant cameras like Mint SF70+ or NONS SL660, because while still having a poor light meter (compared to DSLR), they at least allow to use external light meter or use eye & sunny 16 without getting in the way of the creative process.
Great fun! Loved the concept and the way you present it. Thank you. (calendar ordered)
Just got a calendar and print!!! Been wanting one for years and years! Hopefully the Hasselblad collection is in stock soon, I would love do to that for Christmas gifts. Love your work!
Wow I absolutely adore that shot of the triple traffic lights, it's almost like looking back in time.
Yeah that picture was different from anything I've seen recently.
Thanks a lot. I was really happy with how that one came out. I guess it goes to show that you can create something half decent with an instant camera. It certainly has a look to it.
Wow, have been seeing all of your videos for years, and wouldn't imagine you suddenly showing up in Trondheim. Would had been nice to meet you, big fan!
Thought I recognized the scene from the train, but thought it would be impossible that its from our local train in Trondheim. But then it was quite amusing to see the hotel picture straight afterwards.
Great Video Thomas, and the final results look OK on the TV 🙂
Oh, that lamp post in the fog - LOVE IT. On seeing that, I immediately thought of the George Formby song, Leaning on a Lamp Post which reminds me of my mum. That was fun to watch. Love your enthusiasm Thomas. Pre-order placed. ::)). Look forward to your calendar every year.
Thomas you never cease to inspire me. Love the concept of the challenge. Have a great week!
Nice fun video. I like the traffic lights, but the minimal, misty shots do work best. I won't rush out and the camera though🙂
What I love about your channel is the sense of enthusiasm that you have for everything that you do and your willingness to experiment. Great vlog thanks.
Yes, loved some of those images.......traffic light, bridge lamp etc........but I imagine, that an annoyance, is probably that you're wishing you had the same shot, but as a large digital file that could be printed bigger, and multiple times.
Loved the street lamp image! It's refreshing seeing unedited photos.. very nostalgic 👌
I have an old Polaroid 600 from 2000 with autofocus that I bought at a local photography store for 25€ later in 2019. The only thing I do with this camera is photographing my little niece, weather it‘s at a day trip/holiday journey or daily life. I know that not all photos are „good“ or even „perfect“ but I love to take photos of my niece which I can see quite instantly „printed“ in an analog format j(it takes about 15 minutes to view the film) and hang on my wall. I‘m at my fourth film pack now. The prize of about 2€ per image is a downer but over all I love every single photo I shoot with this camera.
I love that we're to the place where the biggest restriction that Thomas can come up with to creatively 'restrict' his photography is to "shoot film." It wasn't all that long ago that shooting digital felt new and risky...
To be fair, it's not really "shooting film" that's hard, more like "shooting this camera". There's lots of amazing film cameras but this isn't one of them.
I was waiting for your calendar I’m still enjoying this year’s keep up the good work
Great video as always! A month ago on holidays with my family I purchased an old Pentax Spotmatic F on a flee market in France for 30€. Lightmeter did not work (so sunny 16 had to help ;-). And I tried an AGFA APX 100 and took some shots in front of the Louvre. There was a short moment when an oldtimer passed by and I could only take two pictures. And I forced myself not to switch to my Nikon Z6. And the two pictures turned out absolutely great (in my eyes). So I can absolutely understand the feeling of limited possibilities. It must be even much more limiting with instant photos... Looking forward your calendar (and hope for the best ;-)
The last image had a few UFO's. As welll as before. I can see the pros and cons of film. Especially with a sketchy viewfinder. I can see how dust can cause problems. Ansel had a lower success rate with film. Even back then, a full format camera's film was expensive. You knew you were putting your money where your camera is. You get to the point where you ask yourself " Does it please my eye? Is everything there that I want in an image? Am I capturing the real story? I am 60 but I don't have the energy to do your B roll let alone the entire video. You inspire Thomas Heaton! Glad to witness your journey as I pursue mine.
You always come up with great ideas in your videos. I really enjoyed this one!
Man you were firing this video!! Great energy 👌🏼
Just ordered 2 of your calendars. One for my son and the other for me.
Love your work
Your enthusiasm and fun loving demeanour is infectious. I was grinning all the way through this! The images weren't bad too! In fact one or two keepers. Just goes to show you don't always need good gear! Nice one Tom.
Can't wait for that Norway video!😉
I just tried to order your. book and your 2013 calendarl. Hard to describe what happened but initially my card was declined but almost instantly the bank notified me of the purchase, so I hope it works. I have to agree with the bloke beneath me here, the street lights photo was very cool!
I like the Missfired shot.!... It is another genre in itself, something different but why not ? If it conveys a mood why say they are a failure, not especially. The flaws (blurred, overexposed, double exposure, no composition...) can be the strength of such a photography type. Trying something new is always refreshing, it boosts creativity, doesn't it ? When you know too well the rules, breaking them is also fun. I wouldn't apply the rules to polaroids, they are not meant for that in my opinion.
Loved the video this week! Love the creativity of your give away! Made me laugh out loud!
those successes are STELLAR! especially the last one 😍
2:57 - this reminds me of the scene in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty where Sean O'Connell talks about the snowcat and *not* taking the picture
(Still have yet to finish the video but I already know it's a banger, just at work rn)
what a great exercise stripping off all tech capabilities and challenging your photography skills - and the results are truly amazing! well done.
You might want to work with disposable film cameras. While you’re out with a fancy high end digital rig, pop off a frame of analog colour neg - yep, a real eye opener about what your work is really about.
my congrats, you do urban quite well, hope you do more !
My wife has a Instax wide camera that she loves. It is mostly used for documenting our trips and probably a good 75% of the shots are just of us at places but occasionally is used for landscape style photography. It is properly good fun and there are a few shots that we have taken on it that I like more than the ones I took on my DSLR just because of how simple the format is and there is no "fixing" of anything later on. You get what you get and when it works it is a great feeling. The amount of under and over exposed images is crazy though, really wish metering was better on it as well.
Cracking story… great to see you totally enjoying yourself
Amazing content Thomas. Such a joy to watch.
if you can, find a copy of Ansel Adams's Singular Images book. Its a collection of photographs taken with Polaroid Land cameras of yesteryears. There will be no more jokes made about ' instant photography ', I can assure you.
Try Instax in your medium format camera, guaranteed correct exposure. Instax mini in a Mamiya TLR works great. Am now trying out Instax square in a Pentax 6x7. OK, so it's a bit fiddly taking them out and loading in a changing bag but it's rewarding when they all come out as intended.
Didn't someone (perhaps Edward Steichen in the 50s?) set out with a Brownie camera to show that one doesn't need fancy, high-end gear? His premise was that good photography comes from within the photographer's mind and eye. This video reminds me of that. If anyone out there knows anything about Steichen's experiment, I'd appreciate a link or reference. Thanks.
When I first started in photography these types of videos were everything to me, because, well, if y’all could get nice images with a low grade camera then I certainly could get some with my measly starter camera. Would love to see more like this. A video with a disposable camera would be fun!
Lovely video, Tom. Another year, another TH calendar for my wall. 👍🦘
Beautiful love the traffic lights in the fog👌
I have had so so many failed shots with this camera, I would presume around 50% at first. Now, I take some of my favorite images on it. Some days I get a keeper-rate of 80-90%, but it has cost me time, money and nerves. The thrill for me is getting unique shots on a retro-style camera that offers a lot of customizability (focus, multiple-exposure, timer, bulb mode, remote control...). My best advice for anyone using this instant-camera is: never shoot into light, never shoot during high-contrast-situations (sunrise / sunset), and lastly learn the limitations and figure out how the light-meter and viewfinder "think" in order to adjust your shots accordingly
thanks for idea about HDR-scenes )
I think you're spot on with your comment. When I get an image I'm happy with, it looks like nothing else.
My daughter has the budget Instax camera... Absolute minimal controls. She wanted to take shots of clouds but they were all overexposed until she borrowed my ND filters. I had to hold it in front of the camera while she took the shot. It worked but it would have been hilariously funny watching us trying to capture it.
Fun video, even better with the picture taken from the train in Norway as I believe it is taken close to where I live.
Just preordered your calendar, after watching you for litteral years and help me improve my photography, it feels good to give back a little :D
Had to pause and comment at 13 minutes. Actually lol'd. That's one badass flex, Thomas. Never bought another photographers calendar before but now I'm gonna.
Back after finishing the video. Really dig the traffic light shot.
Try pinhole photography, then it doesn’t become more basic. I love that kind of photography, and have made many of them myself
You hitting that shutter button accidentally was cracking me up 🤣🤣
Lomography is considered as an experimental art form to celebrate creativity as soft focus, blur. Thomas is expressing wisdom in use. The artistic view point of contemporary experimental artists and artistic photographers going outside of traditional means of detail. Andy Warhol of pop culture also did some experimental photo works in his day in the 60s,70s.. Lomo is a Russian art form that became popular world wide in the 90s onward. I took advantage of the calendar pre order offer, is truly an honor to get one signed, this is my gift back for working in the beating sun expressing artistic creativity with hundreds of kids. :)
I have a Lomo Instax Wide and I have had the exact same experience using that one as you have with your.
I rarely use it because it's so hard and expensive, you have inspired me to go out and take some more pictures.
I used to do lomography, double exposures on film, ICM, make my own filters. I really liked that you didn’t how the results would be. I liked most of your photo’s, maybe they are not perfect but that is the charme of instax and lomography, it’s all about imperfection, wabi-sabi
brilliant. every show is so amusing and a great lesson too. good stuff Thomas
Looks like a fun camera! The cost per photo is less than 35mm. Quite a bargain if you want instant gratification😉
Wow… I didn’t realize I needed 80’s synth pop Thomas in life. But I did. I really did.
Instant photography is a skill that needs to be honed just as much as film vs digital photography. I don't claim to be a professional, but I do a lot of photography in my day job. I've been taking instant photos since I was a kid. I'm now in my 30's. In fact, Polaroid photography is what made me fall in love with analog or film photography in the first place. I own this camera, and yes, the viewfinder can be frustrating. Sometimes, the comp doesn't come out quite the way you envisioned, but sometimes, it comes out better. I find the same to be true with almost all film cameras. I hand reload 110 cameras and 126 cameras with 16mm motion picture film and 35mm film, respectively, and part of the excitement of film, and part of the appeal (for me at least) is not knowing EXACTLY what you're going to get. Knowing that your image will NOT be crisp and perfect. Crisp and perfect, IMO, are boring. Wonder Bread boring. If you sit with this camera, take the time, and take note of the differences between instant and 35mm, or 120, or large format film, which again are just as varied as the differences between film and digital, you may have a different opinion. I respect that your conclusion is to go out and have fun with photography; for me, photography significantly decreases my stress levels, whether the outcome is good or bad, and perhaps the difference is that I'm very process-oriented as an "artist." But this is a great camera if you can overcome the learning curve that is unfortunately inherent to the machine. That said, I have yet to encounter a vintage film camera that hasn't given me a learning curve that I've experienced the pleasure and joy of overcoming. Thanks for giving me the outlet to express my thoughts. Best, Levi Lee
I have a Polaroid One-Step+, and while it also has it's quirks, I feel like the framing is pretty easy and I consistently get a better rate of good or even great exposures. I love the look of the Lomography Instant Square, but you're not the only person on TH-cam to mention these frustrations. It seems better to avoid of that specific camera and go for one of the better options on the market. Maybe they'll address some of these issues in a future upgraded version. Some of the FujiFilm Instax cameras get good reviews. I'd like to try out a few of those at some point.
You need to keep both squares in view finder aligned, far square exactly in center to the near one… 😀
I've never gone down the instant film route, but the urge for simplicity, concentrating on composition, minimalism, and contrast, can also be approached in other ways - for example a medium format pinhole camera or a Holga. That "dead trees lake" is a location I often use when I have a new film camera or technique to try out - you've inspired me to return there to shoot some 4x5 paper negatives, which is my new favourite method.
I'd like to see you try and replicate the two final prints you showed with your 6x6 and some b&w film. I think they would make great prints.
Love the streetlight shot Tom, great fun video as well.
Many years ago an Elderly Gentleman told me that it was The Person not The Camera that takes The Photograph.
the nerd in me says no, the artist in me says go for it and the pixel-peeper in me says i can deal with it; maybe! Thanks for the fun video - take care and be safe out there....
Great video Thomas, maybe look into getting a polaroid back for your hasselblad camera
I guess that the Instax square is preferable to use with portrait photography. Firstly the film itself has a limited graduation of contrast it can develop, so in landscape you loose much details. Secondly the lens has its sweet spot in the two near positions and here you can use the brighter part of the view finder, which is designed to compensate the parallax to the lens.
I think that imposing artificial limitations on ourselves as photographers is a wonderful way to bring out our true potential for creativity! One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was buying a second hand Holga off eBay for just under $10. I have many great cameras, some of which are very ‘high-end’ and yet some of my best images were made with the Holga.
This is why I recently got the SP-3 Square printer, I can still shoot with my XT20 or my iPhone, and only print what is worth it. The exposure and lighting still is hard to dial in even when printing what you want!
There's a lot to be said for simple fun. I took a Fuji GA645 medium format "point and shoot" (auto focus, auto exposure) to Harris and Lewis and didn't get many good pictures, but I had a lot of fun and the one or two which were good, I'm really happy with.
This was fun and simplifies things. It’s down to finding the right image/composition when still learning/understanding the camera but with some restrictions.
I have a body cap lens that uses one of those plastic lenses from a throw away cardboard camera. You can't focus and no aperture, just point and shoot. It makes a great change from all the technical decisions when using a "real" lens.
Looks like it would definitely be some fun. New calendar ordered!
You could have gotten an actual Polaroid. They still make inexpensive instant cameras like the Go and the Now. Or, find either a vintage SX-70 or the Mint camera ($999 USD) that takes SX-70 film.
I remember in the '70s, a number of artists (notably, Lucas Samaras) were taking Polaroid photos and manipulating the film emulsion with their fingers or other objects while the film was still wet. Maybe try that with your camera if it provides wet prints.
Calendar purchased...Fingers crossed for a print...and loved the video
Great video and great shots. I like the message of challenging yourself. I don't think I will be looking into instant cameras, but I have already tried doing some cityscapes. Although not great pictures, it was great fun exploring my home city for a good skyline. Keep up the good work. Cheers.
@15:39 - Watching this as I'm waiting to go to work by train - only to find the view from my local train station appear in the video. Funny.
Entertaining and inspirational as always. Love the foggy street shots. I might chance my arm lol
Pre-order done ✅🥰. Can't wait to receive your calendar. By any chance, have any new book project? 🙂
Great video, my wife loved the shot of Monty. Remember when he was a puppy!!!
great video and feels even more amazing to see night time shots looking really good.
personally feel the fuji instax will fair better, a reason to come back to do this kind of video again next year
Just ordered a calendar. I can't wait to see it! Thanks Tom!
Hang on, are you at Arcot pond near Cramlington? Sure I recognise those trees, just down the road from me! Love the video, and the idea of instax cameras is cool, but not for landscapes! Fun times though!
I bought an InstantKon SF70 from Mint using the same Fuji square films and the quality is very good !
Hey Thomas, immediately wanted to pre-order a calendar - but there has to be a cheaper way if shipping into Switzerland! I don’t want to pay as much for shipping as for the calendar itself (it would even cost less to have it shipped to Australia…??). Thanks!
You should look at getting a polaroid sx-70 or just using a newer polaroid or instax camera. I had a similar camera to this and it got frustrating, once I got a SX-70 with the proper viewfinder, I fell in love with polaroids
Wifey now pre-ordering the calendar for me for Chrimbo :) Agree with stripping thins back. Highly recommend you check the Rollei 35 / 35 S / 35 T out if you haven't done so. Neat little film camera with zone focussing only. Amazing fun and has taught me a lot!
Got on that pre-order train! I look forward to the calendar keeping me inspired for the next year!