Some sad news for thousands of photographers last week, Polaroid plans to discontinue the manufacturing of film at the end of this year. Polaroid was the forerunner of immediate gratification in seeing your images moments after capture (of which of course digital cameras can now do in milliseconds), but Polaroid in their wide range of films could offer film qualities that digital just can't rival.

I use Polaroid 669 film extensively in my fine art work, creating Polaroid Image Transfers and Emulsion Lifts that are often described as vintage, dream-like and painterly. There is particular joy in these processes for me due to the randomness of the final result, it's impossible to duplicate the nuances in the final result of each print. Each is truly an original.

Sure, you can approximate the look of these processes in Photoshop - but it really isn't at all the same. I feel part of the creative process as I "cook" my Polaroids, anxiously waiting to see the final result as I peel the film back slowly. It's the same feeling I get when I pick up my infrared film negatives from the lab (Kodak will have me on their front doorstep should they ever discontinue their HIE film). More than enough images don't turn out due to the variability in the results, but those that do give me particular delight.

I'm not knocking digital, I use digital cameras almost exclusively in my portrait work. I can review my images immediately after capture, and can experiment more given that I'm not keeping a running tally of film costs in my head as I shoot.

I just can't see myself digitally creating Polaroid-type image transfers in Photoshop, it just doesn't feel right to me. What a sad thing to be losing so many great films over the last few years.

I won't hide next time.....

A client of mine passed away a few days ago. I first met him last May at a family reunion session arranged by his wife. We had a great time photographing different combinations of parents, children, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandchildren and spouses (and the dog too!)

Only one week after our session he was hospitalized, and in less than a year lost his battle to cancer. In memory of a dearly loved man, his family gathered hundreds of photos for viewing at the funeral home (and I'm honoured to say that photos from our session were there too).

In seeing the huge collection of photos documenting a life well lived, I make the promise to my family that I won't hide the next time a camera comes out. I've joked for years to my daughter that she'll have to swear that she had a mother since there's no photographic proof. She deserves something to look at (hopefully many!) years from now that reminds her of our very happy life together.

I'm not suggesting that you hire me (although I'd be happy to do this for you), but the next time the camera comes out when you're with the ones you love - make sure you're in the photo too. It doesn't have to be a session with a professional photographer - just proof that you were a part of something special.

Art & Culture in Burlington

I had a great opportunity yesterday to participate in a meeting held by the City of Burlington to discuss the growth and support of culture in our community. Some of you may know me for my portrait work, others may know that I also create fine art photographs for galleries/publishing house and that I have a vested interest in this issue (I was invited as a result of my association over the last two years with Artists Walk in Village Square).

At the end of the day this very diverse group of participants come to several clear recommendations:
- create an adequately staffed and funded Department of Culture (City of Burlington)
- create an Arts Council (the cultural community together with the City)
- adequate funding for the proposed Performing Arts Centre
- create a web presence that allows for members of the cultural community to easily communicate (and a single source of info for "consumers" of culture)

There were numerous other positive and creative suggestions, too many to summarize but know that there are plenty of individuals/groups in Burlington who want to help create a vibrant, thriving cultural community.

Many thanks to the City of Burlington for making yesterday possible!