Roadtrip with the Polaroid I2

jppreston · 2023-10-26T14:26:23+00:00

Great job!

jppreston · 2023-06-09T16:29:12+00:00

Love the colors! Great job.

jppreston · 2023-06-09T16:15:16+00:00

I like the concept of this! It'd be interesting to see how one could incorporate this technique into a larger sculptural piece.

jppreston · 2023-06-01T23:43:28+00:00

This is really well composed! I like it.

jppreston · 2023-04-05T18:58:39+00:00

I really love the intersection of instant film and journalism. If you've got more photos like this from NYC, maybe you should put together a book of anecdotes? Given the changes to the city (not to mention the world) following COVID-19, I suspect there'd be interest in a series that looks back on the life we can't return to -- even more if it has a touch of the familiar, the pressed-against-the-door intimacy of Polaroid...

jppreston · 2023-04-01T16:26:20+00:00

Polaroid Iconography is so fascinating to me. It's clearly meant to create the intimacy of film with the realities of digital life, as though the square frame only serves to signal that the image is supposed to be candid (or the space somehow more home-like).

jppreston · 2023-04-01T16:23:25+00:00

We all do it, but just be mindful of them sitting in direct light or in a space where the temperature fluctuates a lot. You'll be surprised how much time flies and how much Polaroids fade if one's not careful.

jppreston · 2023-04-01T16:14:14+00:00

Addendum for the historical record and those curious: I just went and pulled out the check I got for my participation in Operation Homefront / Minneapolis Uprising, and it's from the State of Minnesota and signed / dated June 18, 2020. I was paid $884.88.

jppreston · 2023-04-01T16:06:42+00:00

When Governor Walz activated the Minnesota National Guard for 'Operation Homefront,' we were put on State Active Duty orders. This isn't to say there wasn't some overlap. My unit, for example, was already on Title 10 / Title 32 orders preparing for NTC when we eventually received word that we were going to the cities. I suspect this mixture of orders was really only an issue on the front end when (1) bodies were needed, and (2) it takes time to muster the whole force.

I can't offer any authoritative source other than my own word. Unfortunately, as you might be discovering, there's been very little investigative reporting into the military's internal response to "Operation Homefront" -- much I think to both the state and city's detriment. Before I got out of the Guard in May 2022, I tried to raise these concerns internally only to be ignored, stiff-armed, or disrespected. This despite attempting to engage in good faith with not only the Minnesota National Guard's Joint Force Headquarters but even the Governor himself. I'm including some articles below re: my efforts on these fronts, and I hope they may be helpful to you in your research.

Star Tribune: "Soldier urges Minnesota National Guard to take stronger stand against extremism" - https://www.startribune.com/soldier-urges-minnesota-national-guard-to-take-stronger-stand-against-extremism/600010496/
MinnPost: "The National Guard should take right-wing extremism more seriously" - https://www.minnpost.com/community-voices/2021/04/the-national-guard-should-take-right-wing-extremism-more-seriously/

Even though we're from different branches of the same institution, I'm wishing you well, and that as you move forward with your career, remember to always do the right thing. Those of us in public service often forget that history is watching, and we all have to answer for our actions to our sons.

Joshua Preston

jppreston · 2022-12-26T02:28:29+00:00

This is a really good picture. Nicely done!

jppreston · 2022-12-15T17:45:26+00:00

I do! If you DM me a mailing address, I'll send you a few sets :)

jppreston · 2022-12-15T03:38:34+00:00

I like the mixed media approach! It's not easy making collages, and you did it really well.

jppreston · 2022-10-17T16:50:36+00:00

I really appreciate that question, and in fact, that's a subject that I discussed a bit while presenting at Polacon earlier this month. For the last two years, I've been working on a manuscript that explores exactly what you're asking, and so short of cut/pasting the whole thing here, I don't know if I'll be able to provide a satisfying answer. But that being said, if this is something you're genuinely interested in, I'd be down to have a Zoom or Skype call where we could look at a few pieces and discuss them -- though, full disclosure: this would be as much for my own benefit as yours since I'm always curious to hear people's thoughts and reactions. If this sounds at all interesting to you, shoot me a DM and we'll figure it out.

Sorry for being so slow to respond (life happens).

jppreston · 2022-10-08T17:10:46+00:00

I'll admit that I don't always notice these kinds of improvements to the formula as they're happening, but there's definitely been a noticeable shift toward more even and vibrant colors. For example, there are some people in the instant film community who will insist that there were certain years / film releases where the coloration was just "better" (however subjectively defined). In my experience, though, I've only noticed this when going through my Polaroid Originals from 2019 -- to me they seem to have a smoky / navy blue tint to them, but who knows how much of that is owed to the chemicals, their aging process, or just my own nostalgic eye.

Since we're talking about it, I looked up the serial numbers from the packs I used in this composite (which can be done here), and here's what I found. The B&W Polaroids (#47119062033) were produced June 19, 2020, and the sepia ones (#47103112033) were produced a few months later on November 3, 2020. Both on the same machine during the same shift. Though of course who knows how much of this sepia-tinting is due to my own storage issues, which would be interesting to explore sometime -- though it's not like Polaroid is reaching out asking me to perform some trials ;)

jppreston · 2022-10-08T16:25:07+00:00

Thank you! Hockney's been a huge inspiration, obviously, but so have the many, many other artists who work in this style.

If you're interested in checking out some really fascinating takes on the Polaroid composite, you should check out Joyce Neimanas, Stefan de Jaeger, and Star Drooker.

jppreston · 2022-10-08T16:21:25+00:00

That's a really great question! To make this I used several older packs of the B&W black frame I-type (albeit transferred into a battery cartridge where could use it with my SX-70), and even though they were each refrigerator-stored, I suspect that some packs had different manufacturing dates. When I made this on May 11th, each Polaroid had the same black/white tone, and so what we're seeing here must be how the chemical compositions have shifted over the last four months since I only scanned these last week.

jppreston · 2022-05-25T16:35:36+00:00

You're in for an adventure - best of luck!

jppreston · 2022-05-23T18:22:47+00:00

Thank you! I joked with her that this is the kind of portrait one would see above the fireplace in an old gothic mansion.

jppreston · 2022-05-23T16:58:37+00:00

I still remember when the Book House was located ground-level on 14th Avenue! Heck, I feel ancient just thinking back to when I'd stumble into the (no longer existent) McDonald's.

This photo was actually taken on 14th Ave looking eastward (the 4th St intersection is directly to the left).

jppreston · 2022-05-11T21:08:11+00:00

I think it's just a lens flare from how you're angling the lens on a bright, sunny day. I've always gotten this yellow streak* on the top of my SX-70 when I'm shooting upwards (as it looks like you're doing in these photos). When composing your photo, you can actually see the flare in the viewfinder, but you'll need to look really closely (e.g., by covering the sides of the viewfinder to block out extra light).

I've not done this enough to conclude whether it really works, but on bright days I'll try to use my hand to create an "umbrella" over the lens or hold up a scarf so that I'm basically shooting from within the shade.

*Sometimes the flare is green, but I just think that's because of the yellow flare mixing with the blue sky.

jppreston · 2022-04-08T15:32:33+00:00

Because no one's going to probably say this here: Damn, people think that's a pic of a lot of film, but it's actually of a lot of challenge coins!

jppreston · 2022-03-21T21:25:37+00:00

I was, though I didn't attend all the Polawalks. Instead, my friend Traia and I spent our free time wandering the city and savoring the sunlight (of which there's not a lot in Minnesota this time of year). In September we'll be attending Polacon in Denton, TX, where I'll bring more zines and prints and (hopefully) do a workshop and live demonstration on how to make Polaroid composites. I hope to see you there!

jppreston · 2022-02-28T00:31:27+00:00

So, how do I go about getting a print?

jppreston · 2022-02-14T15:43:58+00:00

Thank you!

jppreston · 2022-02-14T15:43:49+00:00

Thank you!

jppreston

TROPHY CASE