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Mosaic Muse - Film Friday (instant love)

Today is the day that 'Roid Week comes to a close for another year. As a lover of instant film I have had such a great time looking through the 'Roid Week Flickr pool. There are so many inspiring submissions, many by pioneers in this medium who rarely post on Flickr any more. It' s a real treat and I recommend checking it out if you have some time. That said, have y'all checked out the Mortal Muses Film Friday pool this week? So much instant film goodness to make my heart happy. Just look at this mosaic! To me this group of photos showcases some of my favourite things about instant film. There are the bright, saturated colours that you can get with old Polaroid 600 film and some of the newer Impossible Project offerings; there are some of the washed-out yellows that I've come to really appreciate in the Impossible films; and there are also some happy accidents. Those of us who shoot instant film know that sometimes the pods are poor and sometimes the shielding fails. Sometimes we (I) curse these situations and hope for better next time I click the shutter but other times these imperfections make for a delightful image. These are the things that keep us instant film lovers enthralled. 'Roid Week may be over for another year but I'll be looking forward to seeing your instant images in the FF pool in the weeks to come.

Debra ~ Manifeisty

Over the last couple of months we've been on a modified posting schedule here at Mortal Muses and hinting at big changes to come. We thank you for staying with us by reading and commenting on posts and contributing your gorgeous images to the Flickr pools. We invite you to stop by on Monday and check out our new site. We've prepared so much goodness, from a new look to new features and even a new button for you to grab and put on your own blog. We're so thrilled to be able to share it all with you at last. While the look will have changed the desire to inspire and collaborate that is the spirit of the Muses remains the same.



1. and now for something completely different..., 2. Little Shop of Quirky, 3. Beauties, 4. Barn, 5. Over-exposed and under-shielded (no. 1)..., 6. Tuesday - Asian Pear Tree, 7. Untitled, 8. wanderlust, 9. beachy

Roid Week motivates

I don't often pick up my polaroid cameras. Some people have a real knack for making magic with them, seeing the shot and just knowing it is right for their sx-70 or land camera. I find it a medium that lends itself well only to certain subjects. I like film and digital's ability to be controlled, so I can set up a shot and know it will come out a certain way, the way I'm envisioning and designing in my mind. But as I do admittedly also enjoy film for the often unexpected results, I embraced the one click of the polaroid this week and let my inner control freak take a nap. It simply meant seeking out the quiet moments and calm subjects that allowed me the time to nail that tricky land camera focus.

A few of my fellow muses joined me, motivated by the Roid Week 2012 event, and here is what developed! In the end, I'm glad I was reminded to dust off the old 420 land cam. Did you get in on the action? Share a link to your roid week fun in the comments!

Summer by Debra (manifeisty on flickr)

Gladstone by Debra (manifeisty on flickr)

Paris from the Eiffel Tower by Meghan (Meghan Davidson on flickr)

Letter writing by Meghan (Meghan Davidson on flickr)

kitchen, 6:42pm by Cara (tumbleweed.in.eden on flickr)

Sunday. by Christy (Urban Muser on flickr)

parked by Lindsey (modchick on flickr)

tower 7 by Lindsey (modchick on flickr)

Happy 'Roiding!
~Cara, of cararosephotos

mosaic muse : signs of summer

As I unpack from vacation I'm having a hard time resisting the urge to edit photos over laundry.  I decided a compromise was in order, in between loads of towels and mildewing swimsuits I cruised the Mortal Muse pool for signs of summer.  I found and overwhelming number of images that embodied how summer feels to me. The soft afternoon haze, burst of bright colors, deliciously ripe fruit, fleeting rainbows, squealing kids and cooling off in the pool. So much color and warmth it makes me wish that I could have a summer do over. I'm just not ready to let go of the season. Are you?

Lindsey, aka modchik

1. August 12, 2012-, 2. Halo, 3. golden, 4. 105/365, 5. Untitled, 6. magic, 7. 20: the-last-of-the-strawberries?, 8. Summer swim, 9. walkin' the hemisphere

It's Here ~ 'Roid Week

How is 'Roid Week going for you all? I've seen some stunning instant film photos streaming into our Mortal Muses Film Friday Flickr pool. WOW! Keep 'em coming. As we build up to sharing some of our new favorites here on Friday, here are some of my personal favorite instant film photographs that the Muses have shot during the last year. I hope you enjoy them, too.

Keep shooting and adding to the pool. Can't wait to see the new beauties!

Meghan of Life Refocused

From Lindsey...

From Cara...

From Christy ~ Urban Muser...

From Kirstin...

From Deb...

And, from me...

Mosaic Muse ~ Film Friday (and get ready for 'Roid Week!)

As a lover of film, I've been super excited about our new Film Friday feature and Flickr group. I have been so happy seeing YOU all upload your film photos into our new group, creating an ever-widening circle of folks who still believe in film. It makes my heart happy. I want to keep encouraging you to share your film photographs with us – photos from your dusted off 35mm cameras, your Polaroids, your Instaxes, your lomography cameras, and your medium format ones, too. ALL film formats are welcome (and loved).

And speaking of Polaroids...you all know of my deep and abiding adoration of Polaroid photographs, and I want you to jump in on the fun. ESPECIALLY NEXT WEEK. Why next week? Because it's 'Roid Week!! 'Roid Week is a celebration of instant film (all instant film is welcome) and the 2012 week is Aug 13 - Aug 17. Please grab your instant film cameras and join us in celebrating the glory and beauty that is instant film photography, and upload your photos to our Film Friday Flickr group. We will be featuring lots of instant photography here at Mortal Muses next week and we're so excited to see YOUR shots!

You might be wondering what we'll do for Mobile Monday given the week is dedicated to instant film photography. Fear not, Mobile Shooters. Show us your instant-film like mobile photos in the Mobile Monday Flickr group. There are great apps like Shake It and Polamatic that give you the look and vibe of instant film!

Can't wait to see what you and all the Muses have in store for 'Roid Week! In the meantime, here are some recent film beauties from our fabulous Muse community.

Meghan of Life Refocused

1. to be alone with you - 224/365, 2. Strawberry Picking, 3. (portfolio #17) IMG006 for web, 4. Flower seller, 5. getting ready for burgers, 6. Untitled

Mosaic Muse ~ Everyday Beauty

You've been enjoying the beauty of rich warm colors, sunsets and sunrises, sand between your toes and   being embraced by beautiful light. You've even held the sun cupped between your hands! We've been enjoying the world through your eyes in our Everyday Beauty Flickr Group this August. Clearly you've been taking great pleasure in shooting it! Keep sharing your work for a chance to be featured here on the blog! We'll be showcasing your work all month long!

1. Sunset Run, 2. Bandon Highlights, 3. parker | 23july2012, 4. Good Morning World, 5. Untitled, 6. Peace, 7. "my bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep. The more i give to thee, the more I have for both are infinite. " ~ william shakspeare", 8. Tybee Island, 9. cara

Be sure to join our new flickr groups for Mobile Photography and all things Film, and please be sure to invite your friends too! On Friday, Meghan will have a special announcement for along with sharing some more beauty from the Mortal Muses Film Friday group. See you then!

Holly ~ Soupatraveler

Mosaic Muse ~ Mobile Monday

Although the colors of summer are in full swing for most of us, I couldn't help but be drawn in by your beautiful black & whites in the Mobile Monday flickr pool this week. Thank you for sharing these gorgeous images, and keep 'em coming for a chance to be featured here on the blog.

~christy of urban muser

1. Rainy day walk..., 2. 156/365+1 17/30 Good Fortune, 3. {305:365 1v.2} Grandeur, 4. When it rains, the cranes stay and get wet, but where do the butterflies go?, 5. , 6. "And if there's one thing, could do for you, you'd be a wing, in heaven blue"., 7. My favorite place. Well, the beach is my favorite place so this would be my second favorite place. Day 2-#sselevate with @shuttersisters, 8. Daisy Love, 9. London on a Sun morning. Felt like Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky.

Mosaic Muse ~ Film Friday

Colors, both rich and faded, black and white, both grainy and crystal clear, your amazing film photography has been flooding our Mortal Muses ~ Film Friday flickr group with diverse subject matter, camera formats and all kinds of fun. This beautiful artform that's been making a comeback over the past few years, is breathing life into your worlds. Or did it every go away? You're proving to us that film is here to stay! We love that you've been sharing all that you see. Be sure to keep them rolling in! 

1. Untitled, 2. JR, 3. Untitled, 4. happy surprise, 5. The Roadside Meeting, 6. what the heck is that?, 7. sweet sonny boy, 8. Snow Princess (2), 9. sweet. grainy. beautifully subtle.

On Monday, we'll be sharing with you from our Mortal Muses ~ Mobile Muse group. Be sure to join and show us your mobile world for a chance to be featured on the blog!  

Holly ~ Soupatraveler