irony and icons (as in polaroid and lady gaga)

 

I spent much of last week at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas (CES 2011). I have a whole list of noteworthy highlights from my very first trip to this institution of an event of leading edge technology. Ironcily, many of which have not much to do with technology at all (except maybe my new love affair with my new Nokia N8).

I attended, courtesy of Nokia, with no agenda but to experience the show as a whole and share my perspective. Of course, for me, my thoughts consist of both words and images. Such is life as a photographer. Before I left, I got a number of tweets nudging me to hit the Polaroid booth in time for the big reveal of goodies that they have been cooking up with Lady Gaga over the last year.  You know, messages like, "take pictures" and "I can't wait to see your pictures". Gulp. The pressure was on.

To my surprise, out of 140,00 people, I actually ran into a few friends whilst heading over to the booth. This of course, worked out to my grand advantage because truthfully, I may have bagged the whole thing had I not had someone to keep me company. Thanks HBM for hanging in with me and for keeping it real!

Under the circumstances I knew capturing any photos that would be of any artistic interest at all would be near impossible. The combination of bad light, tons of people, no special access, the wrong equipment and a press confrence atmosphere only add up to uninteresting photographs. And yet, an opportunity like this doesn't come every day. To see (and shoot pictures of) an icon like Lady Gaga in the flesh, no matter how uninteresting, is pretty interesting. And so I did make a point to see her and shoot pictures.

I came away from the experience being not only intrigued with the new Polaroid GL30 (love those "deliciously retro-futuristic lines") but with how the muse of chance often comes out to play at the most perfect moments. 99% of what I captured was as I had suspected, shots of a a modern day icon that were far from iconic.  But, all was not lost. In fact, thanks to a snap of the shutter that was perfectly (yet unknowingly) in sync with other flashes from the crowd, I was able to capture my favorite shot of the event.

Taking a great picture is a lot easier when you've plotted, planned and have the ideal equipment. When you're able to hand pick your perspective, have light on your side, and focus on something photo worthy in every way. It's a whole other story when the circumstances are stacked against you. I could have very well walked away before I captured this shot. And believe me, I nearly did. But sometimes, sticking with it and giving it your best shot, can pay off.

Have you captured an unlikely moment lately? Share a shot where chance (or many tenacity) was on your side.

For more on the latest from Polaroid, visit them online.

the six questions featuring Susannah Conway

Susannah Conway is a photographer, a writer and creator of the Unravelling e-course. 

But she's so much more than that.

She's a fellow Polaroid addict whose sense of beauty and wonder is constantly encouraging me to expand beyond my comfort zone, be playful and grow. She's a very proud aunt who loves with abandon. And a teacher, a friend, whose disarming honesty and full commitment to honoring and celebrating the beauty of life, to sharing what she knows and giving what she has, whether she is holding a pen or a camera, are a gift to all of those who know her.

Susannah kindly accepted to answer the Shutter Sisters six questions interview. And I'm most happy today to share with you her answers here.

1. What's the story behind this photo? 

On a sunny spring morning I looked out of my bedroom window and noticed the street was strewn with pink blossom; so much had fallen it was collecting in piles like pink snow drifts. It took me less than five minutes to get dressed, pull on a pair of Chucks (choosing the yellow pair over the navy - v. good move), grab my SX-70 Polaroid camera and run outside. I shot about four or five photos in total and this one was my favourite.

2. What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film?

 

I'm actually a born-again photographer, because I first fell in love with photography at art college in 1992. I can't remember what I shot but I remember developing that first roll of film and looking breathlessly at the contact sheet as I realised I'd found the way to transcribe what I saw in my head onto paper - I wasn't a painter or musician or sculptor, I was a photographer! I spent the next three years in the studio and darkroom committed to my art. The second time I fell in love with photography was in Seattle in 2006. It was my first time in the States and I was still grieving the death of my partner the year before. I was visiting friends I'd met through blogging and had brought a borrowed digital compact with me to record the week; taking shots of a new city not only brought me out of my grief for a while but seemed to wake up the photography part of my brain too. Looking through my photos when I got home lit such a fire of inspiration in me I haven't stopped shooting since. 

3. What's your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy?

 

Film photography is like meditation for me - I slow down my breathing, I focus intently on what's in front of me, wait for the right moment and then I press the button. I don't rush taking the photograph because I only have limited film to use - I want to make each shot count, and take my time to feel that the moment is right; if it's not I move on. I try to live this way too - living mindfully in the moment and not allowing myself to get too caught up in the past or the future. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it's a continual practice, just like photography.

4. Where do you look for inspiration?

Everywhere. Whenever I leave the house I have a camera or three with me - even if it's just my iPhone. Going somewhere new is a photographic orgy of inspiration, but I try to look with new eyes in the familiar places too. Even a trip into town to buy groceries can offer up photo opportunities. I take photos everywhere, wherever I am and whoever I'm with. I take photos of the stuff no one else would look at, as well as the obviously pretty stuff. I see lines and shapes first, then colours and details. I'm always composing with my eyes - I find it impossible to switch it off, actually; I'm the one who lags behind the group to photograph the rust on the side of a skip. My friends and family have learned to tolerate my behaviour :)

5. What aspect of your photography are you constantly working on, trying to improve? 

With every photograph I take I feel I am improving on the last one. I don't take my eye for granted and am always looking for new ways to capture light or colour or feeling. Shooting with vintage cameras means you have to get to know the quirks of your equipment; I don't have the guarantee of digital clarity with my SX-70 but that's one of the reasons I love it so much - it keeps me on my toes!

6. Are there women out there that you consider your shutter sisters? Who, and why?

There are the women who have gone before me that I admire: Dorothea Lange, Diane Arbus, Francesca Woodman and Uta Barth are my four guiding lights, even though my style is different from their work. And there are women I consider my Polaroid sisters: Jen Altman, Amanda Gilligan, Alicia Bock, Andrea Jenkins, Jessica Hibbard, Steph Parke, Darlene & Kristen, Cori Kindred, you, my dear Irene, and many others besides. I love how passionate and supportive the Polaroid community is!

Thank you so much Susannah!

Susannah is currently hard at work on her first book, to be published in spring 2012, and collaborating with Jenifer Altman and Amanda Gilligan on a how-to book about Polaroid photography, also coming out in 2012. You can read more about her shenanigans on her blog at SusannahConway.com and connect with her on Twitter @photobird. Also, registration for the next Unravelling class opens on Saturday, December 4th.

let the light in

When I shot this polaroid the other day, I knew the sun was just outside frame and that I could end up with an overly blown out image. But still, I went for it and I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. The flare ultimately helped me capture the emotion I felt that afternoon, which was the ease and warmth of a nice 20 minute vacation while my baby girl napped in the stroller.

Lens flare by definition, is an imperfection. A flare is an artifact caused by a bright light source in the image or shining into the lens. It usually occurs when we shoot into the sun or when the sun is just outside the frame. However, there are times when flares are used deliberately, for the sole purpose of adding drama, energy and realism to the shot. Hmm.

This image I shot and the whole concept behind flares got me wondering if we can also accept our imperfections as special traits that add realness and uniqueness to our personalities. Can we let the "light" into our lives by accepting our flaws and embracing our unexpected magic?

Today, in celebration of light, flares and imperfections, share with us those images in which you let the light in. Where the lack of contrast made up for more softness... Where lens flares, streaks and dots revealed dreamy, unworldly and otherwise unknown perfection.

simple, soulful

"Your Style Statement is the two words that define the true you. It's a touchstone for making more powerful choices in your life – from your wardrobe to your living room, your relationships to your career plans. Your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression." - Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy, Style Statement: Live by Your Own Design

Simple, soulful. I know it doesn't seem like much, yet defining my style statement has been an important milestone in my career and life as a creative soul. These two words have helped me make decisions about chairs and outfits, and enlightened my path whenever I wandered too far away from my true self. So when I was offered the opportunity to conduct an e-course on photography earlier this year, I couldn't think of better words to define it. 

The Simple Soulful Photography e-class (October 4-31) is a four-week workshop complete with lessons and challenges that will encourage you to find and express your authentic self through photography. I envisioned this e-class like I would arrange a meet-up with good friends in a small café. I come in early and journal while waiting patiently for familiar and friendly faces to appear. This place is our café. This is your place. Where imperfections are celebrated, insights are shared and souls are nurtured. A place where we support each other on our quest to finding our authentic self and building a more creative and fulfilling life.

I am most excited today to give away 3 registrations for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. Please share with us your style statement or what words define your work and true, authentic self and leave a comment here to be entered in a random drawing between now and Monday 27th at midnight PST.

Update on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 by Irene Nam

thank you all so much for your comments. I truly loved reading them all, I know sharing your style statement was not easy for some of you.

And congratulations to Danielle (18th commentor), Chelsea (34th commentor) and Amy (8th commentor), you won a free registration for the Simple Soulful Photography e-class. I will email you the details directly soon. Can't wait to see you next week!

Again, thank you all for participating. I always feel bad when I do a random drawing because 1) I personally never win at those and I know the feeling very well 2) I wish I could invite you all to the e-course, I really do. So for those of you who are interested in this class but for some reason cannot participate this time, I'm creating a little something special for you. More soon. xo Irene

wandering

Yes, the poop stories are true. As well as most of the things that you read in newspapers or on expat blogs. And I could leave my life here in a second if given the opportunity to relocate in New York or anywhere near the beach. But every time I take a walk across the pont des Arts, or come home with a couple of warm pains au chocolat before my family wakes up, I know in my heart and in my soul, Paris will always be my home.

I am most excited today to announce the launch of my collaboration with Bel Kai designs for the Shutter Sisters Capture Collection, the Wandering necklace, now available for purchase.

Whitney and I both envisioned this necklace, which includes three of my personal Polaroid photos, as a way to wander through the streets of Paris, and to be inspired by the unique beauty of the city. Each necklace is sold with a Polaroid postcard (professionally printed on 4.3 x 5.5 inches heavy paper) to whisk you away and take you even further in your journey to the city of light.

As always, the generous Bel Kai designs is giving away one necklace. Please, share with us an image of the place that inspires you, that you call home, and leave a comment here before tomorrow Monday 23rd midnight PST to be entered in a random drawing for a necklace of your very own.

Update on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 by Irene Nam

Thank you all so much for your kind words and for sharing images of the places you call home. And congratulations to Nicci, the winner of the Wandering necklace!