alecpolzin-blog

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Collection 4

For my final collection I gathered some of the online articles I read and analysed in relation to disposable cameras. I will admit there aren’t a ton of academic articles on this product, which is frustrating, but there is a lot of cool things you can dig up, as long as you dig. But mostly it’s just forums of baby boomers asking where you can still get disposable camera film developed.

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Day 30

We made it people. Day 30. Who would have thought we would have gotten this far. My goodness has it been a ride though. Can you believe I thought I would be able to drink a beer every night, on school nights?! I’m a damn fool. Anyway I am glad though that I ended up straying toward a subject I like even more than beer. Anyway, lets finish ‘er off then.

For one of three articles I read on the subject of disposable cameras, I read about a DIGITAL disposable camera in 2003. This camera was a brand new exciting piece of technology that was supposed to expand on the single use form but in a better way. It bragged about its delete feature that film single use cameras didn’t have. Which really begs the question, why don’t I know more/see these more than I do film single use cameras today? Why does it seem like this option failed? Also, if they failed simply because a bunch of ass-hats were in charge of marketing this thing, would there be a market for a similar product today?

Second, an article from 1992 about how popular single use cameras were becoming. The article talked about the simplicity of the cameras offering themselves as an option for even the most brain-dead of consumers to be able to operate. The cheap make also made it a safe investment for those adventurous vacationers who like to get out in the perils of nature (beaches, mountains, etc.) I cant help but feel like this is one of the stronger arguments for why these things are still around. Imagine a party if you will. Its loud, dark, lots of people milling around. You want to take photos with your friends, and maybe more importantly have your friends take pictures of each other. So you leave you thousand dollar iPhone sitting on the couch for everyone to snap a photo with. Wrong! You leave a $10 plastic piece of shite on the couch for everyone to use. That way everyone can use it, it can be passed around with no worries of theft, and if it gets broken you can probably still pay rent. Also, if you’re at a worthwhile party, everyone will look so sloppy you wont want high quality photos anyway. 

Lastly, there was an article from 2004 about how Kodak’s revenue from disposable cameras dropped for the first time since 1987. This was either in response to or the causation of Kodak’s new plan for the future. They decided to go more digital, as well as into health imaging technologies. Because of these changes Kodak was planning on cutting pack a huge portion of their film production side of operations, including a bunch of jobs. This is really interesting because it shows a direct change in a company shaped by what the camera industry was doing at the time. It was during the peak shift from mostly film to digital. I’m wondering if there truly was a resurgence of film and single use cameras how would that change the camera industry? If we repackaged the whole film shooting culture would companies refocus some energy back into the film sector?

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Day 29

I believe it is time to get to researching my splerchas and whatnot. So I did what any self disrespecting college student does these days, and hit the laptop.

I started with an article “We Ranked the Best Disposable Cameras”. I mostly read this one to know about and see all the different designs and builds other products in this genre had to offer. As I expected each camera mirrored the one I purchased in the sense that they all look fucking awful. Bulky, plastic, and more often then not, displaying a horrible design incorporating one or two solid colors. It is funny though the longer I look at a few of the terrible designs there is kind of a unique, if not nostalgic, sort of fondness developing (pun not-intended). I wonder if that would contribute to a rebound for disposable film photography or not.

Next, I learned about the history of the disposable camera. They began in the mid ‘80s and have hung on through out the years even after the advent of the camera phone. Apparently, camera manufacturers used this as a way to expand their market. When previously creating new products would dig into the sales of old products, these disposable cameras just brought in new customers. These customers were people who wouldn’t have wanted to spend money on any “real” camera equipment, or just wanted an easy way to take pictures. Camera companies today are still creating cheaper more accessible options for the everyday consumer, but now that everyone has a camera on their phone I feel like all that work is in vein. What will be the next things camera companies do to stay relevant?

Lastly, I briefly looked up the environmental impact of disposable cameras. I read that when you drop the body off to have the photos developed they send the plastic shell to the manufacturer to be recycled. This is a wonderful idea because it cuts back on wast. But what about all the other parts of the film (spool, packaging, etc.) how could companies re-design these parts to cut down on even more waste? And how harmful to the environment is the developing chemicals?

Stay tuned, hopefully I will be able to answer some of these questions soon.

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Day 28

I woke up this morning and learned that it is sunny in the morning again! It was so nice to wake up and go to class during golden hour. I really wish I had my camera with me to get some really nice shots of the icicles hanging off of houses in dinky town. And that is one time where I almost used my camera on my phone. I like the idea of having really portable high powered cameras because I can’t have my full-on camera all the time.

Next, I watched a video on “stitching”, or basically making higher resolution photos than the camera is capable in one shot. Now this follows the same thematic vein as when I talked about supplementary photo developing software. So you use Photoshop to take photos that overlap slightly on the edges and stitch them together into one larger photo. This is another way people have expanded photography to make less advanced or cheaper equipment perform beyond their design.

Finally, I read an article on a website called “Good” about how cell phone photography has changed photography. The author made a good point about how photography is straying away from an art form or way to document life events, but is going towards more of a means of communication. This immediately made me think about those Fucking Snapchats / Snapstreaks. People rather than call each other on the phone send a goddamn picture of their lifeless face with a caption. It is so stupid I hate it. Like how does a picture of your dumb blank face add anything to the interaction its absolutely ridiculous.   

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Day 27

I didn’t do this one yesterday because I procrastinate and work on Sundays. SO I DIDN’T HAVE TIME!

Anyway I don’t have a ton of time to use, research, or think about photography subjects but there was an interesting thing that happened. There is a comedy due that I am a fan of and one of the people has recently gone under-fire for a Vine (short video) he posted a few years back. In the Vine he says the “N-word” while singing along to a song. It’s disappointing to learn someone you support has done something like this, and this is a day an age where you really have to think about what you put online. This got me thinking about all of the really young kids that have camera phones now a days. my middle school cousin has an iPhone, and that is truly horrifying. I certainly wasn’t mature enough in middle school to post things that were 100% appropriate or right, and now that kids have started to get phones that young (with social media opportunities) it is really shaping an interesting societal problem.

Moving on I was working on a typography project where I have to use a word and express that in an animation where the action of the type helps support the meaning of the word. My word is focus and I’m going to use different depths of field to change which letters are in focus and which are not so by the end of the animation the word “focused” is... well.. in focus. I’m really excited to start working with these physical material and the camera. I feel like the connection between the physical things being photographed and the camera is an interesting one that can be explored in an unlimited amount of ways.

I also used more social media, although not as much as usual, and for that I’m glad. I feel that when I limit my time looking at social media my brain thinks more creatively. I feel like there is an over-saturation of dumb meaningless images all over the internet and social media. This over-saturation is making photos in general less meaningful, and might even be changing what photos mean to society in general. Now that’s an interesting thought.

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Day 26

I had another fairly laid back day today. Probably should have done some homework or somethin’.

Instead of homework, I spent like 2 hours learning about the new American Alliance Football league. There is a whole new football league! Anyway I watched some highlight videos from the first couple weeks, and it got me thinking about how football coverage has been changing over the last couple of years. The inclusion of new camera technology like hanging cameras/ drones allows for a bunch of amazing angles that can really immerse the viewer in the game. So that’s really cool, how not only are images getting better but where cameras can be physically is also changing as well.

I also researched nice photo printers some more. I watched a video by a photographer where he discusses looking at physical prints versus looking at an image on a screen. He expressed the idea that when looking at a screen we just innately expect movement and that somehow messes with the way we view/experience the image. But with prints we are able to just focus on the image and really get all that we can out of it. Now I don’t know if that is true, but it sounds like it could be, and I certainly believe our minds see images different in print vs. on screen. I just wonder how different, and why?

Lastly, my roommate asked me to send him any pictures I’ve taken of him over the years. I like it when my friends ask me to do this. It allows me to look back over my photos from previous years and see really how my photographs have changed, and how either shit or lucky I was. It’s fun to take pictures of people in your life it helps you stay connected and or share fond memories.

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Day 25

Good evening, yet another delayed blog post.

Yesterday was not that exciting I mostly just sat around and watched YouTube, and chilled. I did watch an interesting video by a Canadian photographer named Peter McKinnon. In this video he describes how he uses photoshop to fake a tilt shift effect. He prefixes the video by saying the results aren’t as good as using an actual tilt shift lens and have the effect created through physical optics, but it is a hell of a lot cheaper, and looks fine enough. This is a pretty interesting topic because photo editing technology has come a very far way in the last century and it is allowing people to do more and more creatively for cheap. It would be interesting to delve deeper into how editing technologies are changing the photography community.

Next, I watched a video on Canon’s newest released mirrorless camera. It is like a little brother version of their previously released EOS R mirrorless camera. In the video the guy talks about all of the specs and how it is a great camera for stills but the video capability is pretty dumbed down to allow for a cheaper price. The overall verdict, from this reviewer, was that this is a nice inexpensive option for casual picture takers that want to step up the quality. I would like to know why Canon’s developing team would make this decision, and if they have like stats or thoughts on the current camera market and who they should design for.

Later in the evening I went to a Karaoke bar with my friends. It was fun, but the line to sing was too long so none of our group got up on stage. It was fun to watch a bunch of sloppy college kids sing early 2000′s classics. Anyway I saw a lot of friends filming their friends singing on stage, and this got me thinking about how everyone has cameras in their pockets today. It certainly has changed human interaction as well as the conversation around the cell phone photographer vs. dslr photographers. 

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Day 24

Today was a pretty basic day, except for the wack ass weather. I went out to get my “splerchas”. I went to the Ridgedale Target, and I hate shopping so I just sort of “B-lined” it right to the electronics section where I thought I might at least find something worth getting. And because I’m right a lot of the time I found one of those disposable cameras from the early 2000′s. I have never bought one of these cameras, but I’ve always secretly wanted to try them out. There is something appealing about the shit quality produced, but by an interesting process.

Next during the presentation today they talked about how people lose interest in the things they buy, and I can totally relate to that. However, I find myself only losing interest in objects that have a very focused use, or just one use. For example, I bought Hot Wheels cars when I was little, but over time each car would get less and less interesting until I would replace it with a new more interesting car. On the other hand, when I buy things like a camera, or markers, or paints I find that I can continue to use these over and over but in different ways that keep my attention. I feel like there are certain qualities to each product that appeal to differently “wired” people and that is very interesting to think about in relation to the “getting bored” aspect of things.

Lastly, I took the picture for the collection post below. I nearly waited too long to take it since the sun was setting mighty quick, and I like to use natural light in my photos (my houses lighting is equivalent to that of a mid evil castle). I enjoy that race to catch the perfect lighting whether it be in the beginning of the day or the end. I would like to dig deeper on what other kinds of activities rely so heavily on a natural phenomenon like the sun.

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Collection 3

For the third weeks collection I gathered up all of the old(er) camera gear that I currently own. I really like the aesthetic of old film style cameras, and I see a lot of camera companies pulling inspiration from these designs for their more contemporary looks.  

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Day 23

Welcome to the twenty third day of this wonderful assignment. 

To start we discussed yet another assignment in typography. There really isn’t anything that makes a student fill with sorrow and dread like getting another assignment before you’re finished with the first one. Anyway, we have to animate a word in a clever way that has double meaning and whatnot. I thought I could use the word “focus” and use depth of field to cleverly animate the word. This got me thinking about focus how it works (physically), how people use it (symbolically or literally). 

Later, I watched a video by a internet reporter of sorts, who focuses on photography technology, and he was comparing three cameras. One older full frame, one newer crop sensor, and one new full frame mirrorless camera. Basically the jist of the video was to have people learn about how there are camera options for many different people. Rich, poor, pro, casual. Camera companies spend time and energy creating a variety of products to fit different customers. I wonder who decides, and how?

Lastly, I gave the whole reverse lens macro technique I learned about yesterday. It actually works! I mean the depth of field is extremely shallow so you have a paper thin piece of photo that’s actually in focus. However, the amount of detail, and how close you can get to textures is really cool and a lot of fun to try and leverage creatively. Below are some images I took to show the macro effect vs. regular lens on camera.

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Day 22

Today we had a very productive day in class. I, through the help of others and the teacher, discovered what to start writing these things about. And even though I do like beer; I don’t think I will be pursuing that subject any deeper. Instead I am going to blog about camera shit. 

I love cameras and photography so in order to make this whole project process more enjoyable for me, as well as the grader, lets begin.

Today I organized all of the camera equipment that I currently own. I have both contemporary as well as some older cameras. I find the technology behind camera equipment quite fascinating. I would like to learn more about how innovations are made, what cultural effects drive those innovations, and how photography as a whole can effect culture.

Then I watched a little video on a detached lens macro technique. Its where you take the lens off of your camera, turn it around, and shoot the picture the opposite way through the lens. Apparently, this allows your to take macro shots. I have many more questions on the topic like: who figured this out? What kind of science is present that allows this to happen? 

Lastly, I was on Facebook as one my age rarely does, and I saw some photos of my friends. These were your typical party photos. Shitty quality, taken on a phone, cheese birthday back drop, and most interestingly, a pasted emoji over a couple of the peoples hands. Now I am not some biblical Dumb-ass, I know exactly why the emoji is placed particularly over the hand, and that’s because there is an alcoholic drink in that hand and the holder is not of age. This is always funny to me because it isn’t hard to figure out that is what the emoji is for, but still people do it to, I guess cover their asses. Anyway this particular photo edit is very socially motivated, and I think it’s a topic worth exploring further.

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Day 21

We are now caught up, hell yeah. Today was another school day. However I did watch an interesting video on YouTube about traps photographers find themselves in. One of them was caring to much about feedback. The guy in the video talked about how easy it is to show your work today. But that makes it equally easy for people to give feedback, and you might not be getting as much feedback on work you really enjoy, or enjoyed making, but that shouldn’t influence your future work. I think public opinion drives a ton of decisions, and that it does more today than it used to which is a problem.

My typography teacher preached about time/project management again. I think that procrastination has, over the years, become a bigger and bigger topic for discussion an focus. I would like to know more social implications by the seemingly growing issue.

Lastly, I haven’t really been collecting anything this week so I’m going to try and use my instant camera I mentioned a couple of days ago, and think of something I could photo. If I can create an interesting thought provoking photo series; that drives exploration of societal norms and photo, that would be super. If I really wanted to go meta about this project I would start studying why people/when people started to have to do projects on society and design in society.

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Day 20

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

I worked again on Sunday from 9-6. It was an exceptionally slow day at the meat market since it was snowing like a motherfucker. That is always amazing to me that there is a whole kind of culture surrounding living and operating in a place that has extreme weather like we do. Everyone is very understanding (for the most part), and I’m sure that has played a part in making Minnesotan culture “nice”. How could you not be nice when you know that everyone has to put up with this bullshit every year. As the immortal Troy Bolten from High School Musical said, “we’re all in this together”.

I then when home, watched some of the Grammy’s Red Capet with my mother. Who always has something to say about the unbearable personalities on the television. It always makes me wonder where they get these air head people, that don’t have an ounce of meaningful though or opinion, to host these red carpet type events. And where the hell all these empty, lemming minded people that like these kinds of shows are?

Later in the Grammy’s I watched probably the most notably integrated award shows to date. Alicia Keys (just a fabulous lady) did a very good job hosting and there was a lot of representation from a variety of cultures awarded this year. It really makes you think about all the past shows and outrage from “white washing”. We certainly have come a far way from where we used to be nationally, and I can only wonder if we are still being shitty to certain people that will be fighting still in like 30 years?

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Day 19

This is from last Saturday, I think. I got up way to early to go to the movie theater with my parents because I LOVE my parents, and they payed for my ticket. We saw the new Bohemian Rhapsody movie. I really enjoyed the movie. It made me think how much better stadium concerts were back when bands like Queen played them. This brings me back to the questions I have about humans and their ever changing interests.

Later I went to go get my haircut. I get my hair cut at Great Clips, and when I was there the computers that keep track of the online check in guest was broken. It was an absolute shit show. Not only was it super busy, they couldn’t give accurate wait time estimates to walk-ins. Which made some people, incapable of empathy, really cranky. Any way this made me think about all the things I’m starting to notice in my advanced age that have changed right before my eyes. Like the ability to check in/order just using apps on our phones.

Later in the evening, we had some family friends over to play board games, and crush some bottles of wine. Now that most of the people in either family are 21 our family get togethers are much more rowdy. Anyway, I noticed that the game we were playing had a time estimation right next to the amount of players and age suggestion. This stood out to me because I haven’t seen this before on a game, and it occurred to me that people’s lives today are much busier that it might make sense people might be picking games based on how long they take and what they have time for.

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Day 18

Here we go post 3 of 4 for today. You know I really do dig myself some pretty formidable holes to climb out of. Anyway lets reminisce on what I did today.

First, I woke up in my childhood home, which feels more and more foreign the more time I spend living in Minneapolis. I mean it is still a place of great nostalgia, but it is increasingly becoming “my parents house” rather than “my house”. As for design interests. I would like to learn more about neighborhood planning in the suburbs vs. in/near cities. How do people decide where to put neighborhoods? Cities? Are there any cultural factors for these things?

Next I went for a little walk with my camera. I like taking pictures in suburbia because it is so quiet and simple. You really have to work and get creative to find things to take pictures worth looking at when the environment is so boring. I didn’t get any pictures that I really like but I’ll put an okay one down below. However the walk did get me thinking about how photographers can make photo books/ or series based off of the mundane. When putting together series there are certainly ways to draw connections that make things more interesting than they really are.

Finally, when I got home, I found an old Colorburst 300 instant camera from Kodak. I recently purchased a contemporary instant camera by Fuji Film and it got me thinking about technology trends and revamping old technologies with a modern twist. Even though the technology is old cultural movements and fads recycle themselves and things like instant cameras and film have huge comebacks in society. This inspires companies to make products that mimic those of the past so that people can re-live those same things from the past.

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Day 17

I am a liar. I did not deliver on my promise to do this day on time. I just didn’t really feel like doing it. 

One thing I did see last Thursday was spend too much time on Instagram, something I usually do. And I saw an ad on the BarstoolGophers account. The add was for a scavenger hunt a U of M student designed online. The student set up a scavenger hunt that you participate by QR code and through watching private videos that are unlocked when you find each daily QR code. I though this was a very cleverly designed unique interactive experience. It is truly amazing that people are still finding and using the internet in new and interesting ways to bring people together and create communities.

Later I found myself on another social media site I spend way to much time on daily, YouTube. I was watching a popular interview show called Hot Ones where celebrities come each increasingly hot Wings for each question asked. This made me think about internet advertising and companies paying boatloads of cash to have their products used and or promoted on solely internet videos. 

Another thing I thought about watching the Hot Ones interview is all of the designs on the Hot Sauce bottles. The art style and content matches a tone or feeling the customers are supposed to get from the hot sauce and or the concept of hot sauce. And I think it is really interesting to dive into different cultures that are formed around specific products like hot sauce, which believe it or not has yearly conventions around the world. 

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Collection 2

This is a few days late, but at least I’m gettin’ it done. I have found it more and more difficult to justify having a relaxing beer to end the day, now that school is getting busy, so instead of beers I collected all the notes I took each day for this blog. I think there are many things to consider when thinking about paper and the uses it has/ how we use paper culturally, and or how we are steering away from paper culturally.