RETIRED CONCRETE PLANT, REVIEW AVE., QUEENS, N.Y., 7:52 A.M. 5.15.13.

© Ber Murphy 2013

The Chocolate Genius and the Talking Head

These are the two images I will be showing this weekend at Polaroid: Instant Joy at A.M. Richard Fine Art in Williamsburg. They are of musicians David Byrne and Marc Anthony Thompson. David one time leader of Talking Heads and Marc founder of the music cooperative Chocolate genius Inc. I created this series at the rehearsals for the Tibet House concert series at Carnegie Hall. Shot on Polaroid only, combining the 8x10 809 and 804, a cross processing of Color and Black & White film. Everyone has their own favorite Polaroid and this is mine. This was not that long ago, 2005, but even then this was one the only ways to get the acquired look of sepia, unlike today's digi effects.
I shot on Polaroid because I knew I wouldn't have much time and wanted the subjects to be as comfortable as possible quickly, also its expensive so it was either one or the other. 8x10 is a real ice breaker especially when people, musicians, actors etc are(were) used to much smaller versions. Today they would think you were insane to show them 2 1/4 Polaroid. So we pinned them up and more and more of the musicians showed up for their shot and I did it two years running. Still love the shots and had an awesome time doing it.

Stan B over at Reciprocity Failure read my post on Azo film and recommended looking at the work of Joseph Mills. He uses outdated paper with a specific toning technique which includes varnish and achieves a beautiful washed out look, not unlike 8x10 cross processed Polaroid. His work Inner City can be seen here, represented by the Cohen Amador Gallery in NYC