6 Questions and 6 Insights: Instant Amigo Dennis Arndt

We are living in a digital age with a constant overflow of information. The instant camera was invented in 1948 but today more than ever it seems to be the perfect way of instant, physical gratification in photography. How is it possible that an analogue medium is just what we seem to need right now?

I think that the instant camera is so famous right now because of the endless amount of pictures that overflow us on a daily basis. All pictures are perfectly retouched an edited. You just pay more attention to a Polaroid that’s not perfect than to a high class fashion shot.
The Instant captures the moment how it really is … pure and real!

When you started taking photographs, did you learn photography with a digital or an analog camera? What do you think makes the difference between digital and analog picture taking?

Almost 15 years ago, when I was in the graffiti scene, my crew and I captured our time with a “Point-and-Shoot” camera. Back then there were no really good digital cameras that we could afford. That’s how I started photography without really recognizing it. Later on I started to be deeply interested.

I think that nowadays, especially for shutterbugs and professional photographers that are just shooting all over the place, it doesn’t matter if you take 300 or 1000 pictures. The value just drops. People automatically try harder with an analogue camera or an Instax. They pay attention to the right lighting, the composition and the model.

Instant Photography doesn’t end with taking snapshots, the medium offers a wide range of creative possibilities. Do you experiment in your instant photography? If so, could you tell us more about it?

I am a fashion and lifestyle photographer. When it comes to my opinion, multiple exposure and bulb exposures are out of place in my business. There is nothing I can do with it. I care about the human, the expression and what you get when you press the shutter just in the right moment…

How do you see the future of instant photography?

I think the films are always going to improve. The sharpness and the color rendering will develop greatly. But we don’t really want that. The charm of instants their imperfect retro look.

Tell us more about the shootings you did with the Lomo’Instant Automat Glass, what were your initial ideas, how did you realize them and what challenges did you face?

The shooting took place at a diner in Saarbrücken. There wasn’t a special idea behind it. To me, the location was cool and I already wanted to shoot at this place for a long time. The only problem was that it was really dark in the diner. I almost shoot all my series with available light. That’s why I had to put the Instax on a tripod, so that I could shoot at a longer exposure time.

Do you plan any future projects with instant photography?

Yes, there are two but I can’t disclose them just yet. ;)

If you want to see more of the inspiring photographer take a look on his instagram account: LLANII

2017-04-02 #instant #instax #glass #instax-mini #automat #magellan #lomo-instant #lomoinstant