Mamiyaroid 1.5
Recommendations #1 & Self-portraits with Mamiyaroid
Book: I Hate the Internet by Jarett Kobek A hilarious screed against tech & gentrification in San Francisco and beyond. I also enjoyed The Future Won’t Be Long
I reached out to Kobek when this more unwieldy novel about NYC club kids came out and here’s what he had to say about research:
How much research did you do? I read in Lit Hub that you actually corresponded with Alig. What kind of questions did you ask? How forthcoming was he? What did that correspondence add to the book?
Endless research. So much research. It was the last project I worked on where I really did the hardcore research-- it's possible that phase is over, which is a shame, because I used to like the research significantly more than anything else. I corresponded with Alig a little bit when he was still in prison-- just some very small details and verification of off-handed facts, etc. It didn't give that much to the book, but it seemed in the spirit of the thing. Some people that I told were a little grossed out.
“In March 1996, Alig and his roommate, Robert D. "Freeze" Riggs, killed fellow Club Kid Andre "Angel" Melendez in a confrontation over a delinquent drug debt.” (wikipedia)
Something I learned after reading this amazing Lydia Davis profile is that Davis’s son (with Paul Auster), Daniel, was there.
Music: Seven Deadly Finns by Brian Eno, live on Dutch TV in 1974. I haven’t been able to find a streaming version of this single, which is a huge bummer to me because I can’t pay $100 for original vinyl.
Film: YiYi, Edward Yang A wonderful Taiwanese film about the existential crises of a family. One subplot is about the son, Yang Yang, and his burgeoning interest in photography. I found a VHS copy on the street and I kept it on my desk as I completed the last few drafts of my novel, which also centers around photography.
Tech Talk
Camera: Mamiya RZ67 with Rezivot Polaroid Back, 110mm lens, with Beattie Brightscreen with horizontal split image focus, shutter release cable.
I bought my Mamiya RZ67 in fall 2018 from Craigslist. It came with a 65mm lens, a Polaroid pack film back, the 120mm back, the original focus screen, and two shutter release cables. I think I got a good deal, looking at current prices. It took me a few months to find the 110mm lens I wanted for portraits, and the Beattie Brightscreen with the split focus. Before I found the Beattie, focusing was difficult, but now it’s quick.
I’ve been testing out exposures with my set-up, which is taking me some time since I have to account for the bellows in the Mamiya, and the 640iso of the i-type film. It’s been trial and error, and I purchased the Pocket Light Meter app because it allows me to dial in 640 iso, which has helped a lot. Thanks to a fellow instagrammer, @monmioamoi for the tip.
My set up: Pocket Light Meter app, Mamiyaroid, tripod, shutter release cable, Aputure Amaran Al-M9 mini-LED light, duct tape, painters tape to mark the wall, and the patient and adorable Puppy Bunny.
How do I focus a manual focus lens for self-portraits? Good question! I live alone, so this is a tough one. Can’t ask someone to stand in for me, but I consider myself a minor genius for figuring this out. PUPPY BUNNY!
The results:
All photos taken in a room with northern exposure. Without any extra lighting, f2.8, 1/125, 640 iso (the other light meter app said 1/250 for 800) A bit underexposed but I don’t mind this one.
With the light, diffusion filter. f2.8 at 1/60, 640 iso. Maybe a little over exposed?
Light, with diffusion and CTO filter. f2.8 1/60 640 iso. That’s Harry Panda. He’s proud of his Pandemic Mustache. I wore lipstick for this, something I haven’t done since March.
I now feel ready to take portraits for friends and assorted others. I have 3 more self-portrait samples up at my instagram: @mamiyaroid
If you have any questions, please ask! Also, if you’re thinking of buying Polaroid film for the first time, here is my referral code, which gets you 10% off, and I get some reward points.
My email: adalenakavanagh@gmail.com
Instagram: @mamiyaroid (instant/film) @5redpandas (personal)
Twitter: @adalenakavanagh
Original photography prints: adalenakavanagh.bigcartel.com I will change these up each month, so if you see something you like, snag it 😉
Disclosure: I am an affiliate of Bookshop.org and I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.