LOOK AT ME NOW

by Oliver Mark on PX 600 Silver Shade

IMPOSSIBLE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

Since the introduction of the first Polaroid cameras in 1948, portraits have been an extremely popular and practical use of analog instant film. Not only did Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorpe, Chuck Close and Lucas Samaras portray themselves and their contemporaries, but modeling agencies, artists, families, party people, parents and pet owners also shoot the subjects of their interest with a Polaroid camera.

The directness and instant-ness of analog instant film in portrait photography is an easy metaphor for the instant and direct connection that human beings discover every single day. Our following favorite portrait photographers master this art on their favorite Impossible films like no other!

LOU NOBLE

Photographer, Los Angeles

“Portraits, for me, are the best way to capture that Thing compelling me to take someone's picture. People, more than anything else, fascinate me, and my portraits are a distillation of that fascination. The perfect shot is one that can get across to the viewer the aspect of the subject that most drew in the photographer. It's those moments I try to get, by creating an environment where my subject is at ease, where they are able to relax, let down the "mask" that people so often wear when a camera is pointed at them. I try to avoid clicking the shutter when I see a pose, or a common expression. I try to photograph a moment I have seen in my subject, but that I haven't seen photographed of my subject.”

LOU'S FAVORITE FILMS

JESSE FREIDIN

Dog Photographer, Bay Area

“Using Impossible film forces me to be truly present and intentional in my creative decisions, and has allowed me complete freedom to invent my own 'impossible process.' It keeps me constantly inspired, especially when photographing dogs - such intimate and challenging subjects.”

JESSE'S FAVORITE FILMS

OLIVER MARK

Celebrities Photographer, Berlin

“For me there is one most important thing - if you want so my 'secret' - when approaching celebrities to take their portraits: you have to be absolutely open towards your subjects! I adore working with Impossible film because I like the feeling of the material and receiving not only a fast result but also a unicum. Also, using Impossible film forces you to invest some time and thinking, which is beneficial for the results. On my nightly forays through Berlin my favorite companion are my Polaroid SLR 680 SE camera and PX 600 film because of its high light sensitivity.”

OLIVER'S FAVORITE FILMS

MONIKA ELENA KOST

Children's Photographer, Copenhagen

“I love shooting portraits almost always, as I have problems with taking photos with no people in it. I am always searching for a connection, emotions, poetry and moments that are fleeting. With portraits, every second counts. It is more crucial than say a landscape, the mood of the person may be gone in a moment's time, especially since I work so much with children. The key to a magical photo is invisibility. Most of my subjects don't even know I am taking the photo, I constantly talk to my subjects and they forget the camera is even there.”

MONIKA'S FAVORITE FILM

INSTANT PEOPLE

A POLAROID SELF-PORTRAITS PROJECT

by Franticham's Polaroid Madness, Ireland

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