Friday Flickr Feature - Whitney Johnson
day 208
At the end of 2006, Whitney Johnson, made a New Year’s Resolution to shoot a Polaroid a day every day of 2007.
What prompted you to begin your Polaroid A Day For A Year project?
Nothing really prompted me to do it – the idea just entered my thoughts one day and I just decided to go for it. At the time I’d never heard of anyone else doing such a project and I thought it would be a fun and unique New Year’s resolution.
Why did you choose to do it with Polaroids?
I’ve always had a fondness for Polaroids. I love watching that little square develop in my hand. I love that each shot is unique and unpredictable. I love the graininess of the film, the distorted colors and the fact that there is no deleting and retaking; every shot is one of a kind. It makes each photograph more meditated and important.
Which Polaroid camera did you use to shoot the project?
I used a SLR 680 SE for the majority of my project, but I also used a Spectra AF, SX-70 Model 2 and an Automatic 100 Land Camera occasionally. I also went to a Polaroid photobooth here in Portland twice.
Were you ever tempted to quit the project? What motivated you to continue?
Oh, there were many times I wanted to quit. I would get off work and it would be dark and pouring rain outside and the urge to quit would come and tap me on the shoulder. But throughout the months I built this little community of friends on Flickr and I think they are the ones who really kept me going. My friend Lindsay (maplesyruponly) was probably my biggest motivator. Every morning I’d have an e-mail in my inbox from her, “Are you posting Polaroids today? What did you take yesterday?” We would talk about Polaroids in overdose amounts and she and I would bounce ideas off one another. She probably doesn’t even know how big of a motivator she really was.
Would you ever repeat the project in the future?
Not with Polaroids, no. But would I maybe with 35mm or a Holga? Yes.
Do you have plans for this project (an exhibit, a book, etc)?
There are too many shots from my Polaroid A Day project that make me cringe when I look back on them. So instead of making a book of my 365 shots, I am currently working on a book of 75 or so of my “best” polaroids, which include many of the shots from my project. I’ve talked to a gallery here in Portland about showing some or all of my polaroids, but nothing has yet to officially materialize.
How do you feel about ‘the death of Polaroid’?
I knew it would happen eventually, but I didn’t figure so soon. I was in Phoenix visiting family when I heard the news. I was absolutely devastated. That night I took our rental car to every Walgreen’s in the area and bought all the film I could find – I was panicked. I try not to think about it now. I continue to stock pile film in my mini fridge and just shoot like the film isn’t going extinct. If I remind myself that the film isn’t going to be around much longer, I get afraid to use it and put too much pressure on myself to get that “perfect” shot when I do use it – and what’s the fun in that? So instead, I just keep shooting and shooting.
Day 217
Day 302
Day 9
Day 180
Check out more of Whitney’s photographs and the entirety of her Polaroid A Day project on her Flickr.
Every Friday internet jogging features an artist, series or something special Chelsee finds while scouring the white, pink and blue treasure trove. We call this the Friday Flickr Feature.
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Comments
Great Job! Sorry about the death of polaroids. It is so tragic. I’m glad you are taking photos without any regret though. That is a great message to send. Thanks for coming up with this project!
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whitney is a fantastic motivation to me also! i think she had a lot of bumps down the road to manage and pull off a year long photo project like this- and make such a great set of it. i know she was probably exhausted most of the time, but she kept with it and inspired a lot of others to push projects along as well. i’d love to see a show of her photos, i’d love to GO to a show of her photos. i’m also very excited about the book she’s making. can’t wait!
way to go whitney!
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cawlin reply on June 6, 2008 5:06 pm:
Well put. I too am excited to see the book become a reality. You’ll find it on my shelf for sure.
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chelsee reply on June 7, 2008 12:35 am:
She’s inspired me to try and think up a similar project that will be incredibly fulfilling once I reach the end.
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