i did a COLLAB with POLAROID-- my first gallery show ... I-2 and new BW emulsion

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their experience collaborating with Polaroid for their first gallery show, highlighting the journey from concept to execution. They discuss using Polaroid's black-and-white film to capture moments from the Dominican Day Parade, focusing on the street culture and performers. The creator explores the contrast between studio and street photography, detailing the process of building relationships with performers and using Polaroid film to experiment with light and movement. The event culminates in a gallery show, where the creator reflects on overcoming self-doubt and showcasing their work to the public for the first time.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker collaborates with Polaroid on a unique project involving black and white film for a documentary-style photo series.
• 😀 The project starts with shooting the Dominican Day Parade in Manhattan, where the speaker focuses on capturing the behind-the-scenes preparations of performers rather than the parade itself.
• 😀 The photographer uses a Polaroid I2 camera for the first time, shifting from his usual medium format and 35mm cameras, which allows for an intimate, real-time feedback during the shoot.
• 😀 The speaker forms a strong relationship with the performers, specifically a group called Los Leones, who are from Santiago, Dominican Republic, the speaker’s family hometown.
• 😀 In the studio, the speaker uses contrasty lighting to evoke a sense of mystery and mystique around the performers, aiming to blur their movements rather than freeze them.
• 😀 The project contrasts the mystical portrayal of performers in the studio with their human, real-life aspects captured during street photography at another parade in New Jersey.
• 😀 The theme of the project is the distinction between childhood memories of the performers as intimidating figures and the reality of them as ordinary young men passionate about their culture.
• 😀 The speaker narrows down 100 Polaroid images to 15 for the gallery show, highlighting the importance of editing and sequencing to convey a narrative.
• 😀 At the gallery event, the speaker presents their work alongside a workshop, offering a chance for the audience to engage with the Polaroid camera and learn about the process.
• 😀 The speaker shares their initial self-consciousness about presenting Polaroid work at the event, given that it's a newer tool for them compared to their traditional photography style.
• 😀 Despite the challenges of aligning corporate and artistic goals with Polaroid, the collaboration is a success and ignites a desire to share more personal work in future projects.

Q & A

What was the collaboration with Polaroid about?

The collaboration with Polaroid involved creating a project where the artist would use their new black-and-white film emulsion to document a subject of their choice. The project culminated in a gallery show where the artist gave a talk about their process and the story behind the images.

Why did the artist choose to document the Dominican Day Parade?

The artist chose the Dominican Day Parade because of their Dominican heritage. It provided an opportunity to explore the culture and community, capturing moments behind the scenes of the parade, such as performers preparing before the event.

How did the artist incorporate the Polaroid I2 into their work?

The artist used the Polaroid I2 camera to document the event, choosing to use it instead of their usual medium format and 35mm cameras. They used the Polaroid’s black-and-white film to capture the essence of the parade and the performers, focusing on creating dynamic, emotional images.

What was the goal of the studio shoot with the performers?

The goal of the studio shoot was to capture the mystical and enigmatic aspects of the performers. The artist used dramatic, contrasty lighting to highlight their movements, embracing motion blur instead of freezing the action, which added a sense of mystery and intrigue to the images.

Why did the artist focus on capturing the performers in motion?

The artist wanted to capture the motion of the performers rather than freezing the action because they felt it better conveyed the mystique and energy of the performance. The blur created a dynamic and almost mythical quality to the images.

What was the significance of the black-and-white film for this project?

The black-and-white film was central to the artist’s vision for the project. It helped to create a timeless, dramatic aesthetic that fit the themes of mystery and cultural identity. The film’s unique emulsion also allowed for deeper contrast and more powerful imagery.

How did the artist approach the second parade in New Jersey?

The artist approached the New Jersey parade with a focus on documenting the human element of the performers. Unlike the studio shots, which were more focused on the mystical aspects, this time the artist wanted to capture the performers as regular people, showing the authenticity and dedication behind their cultural expression.

How did the artist decide which images to showcase in the gallery?

The artist sifted through over 100 Polaroid images, selecting their top 15. This process involved scanning the images and carefully curating them into a narrative, grouping them to showcase both the mystical and realistic aspects of the performers and the overall theme of the project.

What was the artist's experience like at the gallery event?

The artist was both excited and self-conscious about showcasing their work at the gallery. The event included a workshop, a talk, and a display of the printed images. It was a rewarding experience, offering real-time feedback and recognition from the attendees. The artist also appreciated the chance to showcase their work in a public space for the first time.

What challenges did the artist face when presenting their work in a gallery?

The artist faced the challenge of presenting work created with a relatively new tool, the Polaroid I2, instead of their usual equipment like the medium format Yashika 124g. This made them question if the work truly represented their usual style and level of creativity. However, they sought advice and confidence from a mentor to overcome this.