Today we drove upstate.

we took a roadtrip out of the city today. I took a few pretty photos. Bugs bit us. Ouch.

Polaroids

So..if you know me...you know how obsessed I am with Polaroid film.
Why? BECAUSE ITS MAGIC. Ya ya, digital has instant gratification on an LCD screen..but can you touch it? can you shake it? can you watch it develop with anticipation?
Wheres the charm?

Polaroid closed its doors in 2008, but a few employees and film lovers founded The Impossible Project to keep it alive. After many years of research, re invention and donations from enthusiasts like myself,  (pat on back) its available again.
Lucky for me a gallery and store is located here in the city..lucky for you, you can buy online.

P.S. MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING (June 8) AND FILM IS ALL I WANT!!!! Christmas too.. :D



Heres a little from the Impossible Project below ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Please visit their website after you view my blog! Its pretty special.

In October 2008 The Impossible Project saved the last Polaroid production plant for integral instant film in Enschede (NL) and started to invent and produce totally new instant film materials for traditional Polaroid cameras. In 2010 Impossible saved analog instant photography from extinction by releasing various, brand new and unique instant films. Therewith Impossible prevents more than 300.000.000 perfectly functioning Polaroid cameras from becoming obsolete, changes the world of photography and keeps variety, tangibility and analogue creativity and possibilites alive.         Why do I love Polaroids? A) Magic. B) The curiosity of what will come out. C) The imperfections. D) The grain. E) The white border.   Here are some photos  that I  have  taken. I have 3 cameras. Polaroid One Step (retired) Polaroid Spectra (favorite. allows double exposure) Polaroid 600 (classic)  Fade 2 Black | Impossible Film

Push | Impossible Film. I converted some to black and white.

 Ooooooo.. These are from my beloved and new found Spectra!!! Double exposures make me float.
 Expired Spectra Film | Polaroid

                                                         Expired 600 Film | Polaroid

Martinez French Dry Cleaners

There must be thousands of dry cleaners in this city.  Shoot, there are dozens on my block alone.  In fact, there are two right next to one another along the street I work on in Manhattan.  If I chose to go to either one of those, it would surely make my life much easier.  I wouldn't have to lug my shirts on the train to and fro work.  Instead, I refuse this luxury.  I walk an extra two blocks from my apartment to Martinez French Dry Cleaners and support my lovely Dominican friends.  I've been making this decision every week without flinching for a year now.  They are the sweetest people I've ever met, and they take care of me.  If I need a shirt in a pinch, before the day it's due, they always rush the order to help me.  If I don't have cash to cover it, they say, "It's okay!  You pay next time."  It's a family operation, and they treat their customers with love and respect.  That's the type of place I want to go to.

The other day, I was walking around the neighborhood taking pictures of graffiti, and stopped in to pick up my dry cleaning.  I was talking with the owner, and he told me he too was a wedding photographer back in the Dominican Republic through the 80's.  He proceeded to brake out some of his old cameras and take them apart.  It was amazing seeing these dusty old creatures of film that probably hadn't been used in over 20 years.  As usual, his crazy friend hung out behind the counter telling jokes, laughing at himself like a hyena, as we talked shop.  We may not always understand each other due to language barriers, but their smiles say everything.  Yes, I will stay with Mr. Martinez and Co.  They are my people, they are my neighborhood, and they are my friends.

Mike