Darkroom 003 - Shake It Like a Polaroid
A quick book update & Raphael Pace's college boy photo wall
Hi friends!
Life took hold of me for the past two weeks, but I'm back - and I have a couple of fun things to share with you today.
đ Before we dive in, I'm pleased to announce that my photo book Island in the Sun is currently in the printing stage. The process of creating this book has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but if anything, it has made me more sure about releasing it. I'm hoping to receive the books in about a week or so and once they arrive they will be available for you to spend your money on.
âď¸ Earlier this week I met with Raphael Pace, someone whose instant film photographs just make me feel a certain way about life. You can read all about the conversation we shared over a flat white.
đŁ Read all the way to the end if youâd like to win a free print.
Coffee infused chats and snaps with Raphael Pace
âI used to come here often after school when my mum would ask if I wanted a sandwich from Jubilee. It's interesting to see the ceiling because this used to be covered with the most random vintage things, they had tables with chairs and I think there was a bicycle up there at some point.â
Do you remember the first frame you shot on instant film?
I have a box full of frames that are either not quite what I wanted, or completely unusable. I admit I don't like to think about the number of photos in that box because it's about a euro per photo, I'm sure you know what I mean. Using film makes you pay for your mistakes, but because of that aspect, it pushes you to improve your technique and get better at it.
The photos that I like are all stuck on a whiteboard with some magnets, it feels a bit college-boy-ish, so I think I'm going to lay them out in a good frame to then hang on the wall. That feels more like me and I think it will be a better way to enjoy these photos and memories.
How did you get started taking instant photos?
My good friend Kris Micallef, who's a photographer, introduced me to the work of Tom Bianchi. Seeing a book of his work made me want to take photos, and especially on film.
I think you can definitely still see where I drew my inspiration from because I'm so new to the format - I bought my Instax camera back in March - but I like slowly discovering my own style and what I want to create and share.
Sometimes I like to pose or set up a photo, this came up when I had taken photos and felt like editing out a little distraction or element that felt out of place. Using big software like Photoshop still scares me though, Iâm not sure if Iâm ready for that yet. For now, I like to do these small retouches on my phone. Double exposures interest me as well, so those two things are something I look to try more often and incorporate into my work.
Instant film can be tricky. Personally, I'm still waiting to get good results from my Polaroid, but you seem to have figured it out.
I mean, I use an Instax camera and not a Polaroid, so I think I'm cheating a bit here. Because it's a newer product it definitely has some advantages: the focus, for example, is more reliable.Â
You recently changed your Instagram username to kazinhazin, what was the inspiration behind the new name?
I went through this whole thing of deleting my posts and what felt like a re-brand. The photos I'm sharing now have the film border and its texture and colour, I enjoy the extra touch it gives to the whole page. Even the little writings here and there, when I feel like a photo needs a little context or an extra touch, I'm enjoying trying out things like this. It does take me a lot of time, or too much time if I'm being honest, I'm writing it all by hand and then the perfectionist in me wants things to look and feel a certain way, so I'll go and change the shape of a certain letter around until it's what feels right to me.
The idea behind the new name is that it is "kazin" and "hazin" which sort of translates to "bad club". I want to do something bigger with this account in the future - maybe host a party - and this name gives me the freedom to do so.
This whole conversation has made me want to get out and make portraits and photos.
đ see more of Raphaelâs work
đ§ Brain Candy
Word of the day: KaĹźin
/KÉzÉŞn/, n; pl. KaĹźini.
The word kaĹźin comes from the Italian casino â not casinò, as in a gambling house, but from the root casa (house), which originally meant a small country villa, summerhouse, or social club, and later came to include other public buildings where communal and civic activities took place.
Some more instant goodness
From emulsion lifting to experimental treatments, instant film pretty much lets you do whatever your heart desires to.
đ see more of Sarah Bonaciâs work
đ see more of Irina Chernikovaâs work
Thank you for making it to the end of this issue of Darkroom, I hope you enjoyed it. See yâall next week.
Much love,
Lisse
PS you have two more days to enter the giveaway Iâm doing over on Instagram. If youâd like to get a large print before I make you pay for one, click here.
Would you like to support this newsletter? Great! Tell your friends about it, letâs grow our community.
If youâre a new reader, browse the archives here.
Darkroom is a publication by Lisse Wets.
Follow me at @lisse.wets