Fantastic work! A channel like this is a great answer to: “Is it too late to start a youtube channel in 2020?” Quality content will always be rewarded. Just under 2k subs today, I am curious how long it takes to get to 100k. My guess is under a year.
Matej, thank you mate! Pumped to cross 2k and hope somehow we can keep juicing those numbers. Not sure what else to do besides keep trying my best with these vids!
I think it is still hard for people to discover you in the ocean of youtube. I am an avid instant film user and i watch a ton of youtube and I only found you couple of days ago because I searched for the Lomo’instant wide. I think few more months of a lot of likes and high watch time and youtube will start pushing your content to a larger audience. I think it is weird that there isn’t a strong forum for polaroid and instax. Flickr used to be active but that died. I found that posting links to my videos on reddit (polaroid and instax forums) pushed a little bit of traffic to youtube. Probably the best person to ask is Marco from AnalogThings, he got to 20k subs very quickly with similar nature of content.
It’s definitely a tough road. At first I did publish vids to FB groups/Reddit but there’s a threshold of becoming a link spammer I did not want to cross in those communities. I think on a video-to-video basis engagement has been solid on its own but I’m definitely at the behest of the algorithm and that’s just totally up in the air. The Polaroid Now review is definitely a big help, as it’s a newer product and I was the first channel with a review - so people seem to be finding it through there. Just need some new products to drop so we can keep that momentum going 😂. Agreed too about the communities, a bit of a dearth beyond the Flickr heyday, certainly some solid FB groups but that seemed to really be an unparalleled source for engagement.
dude, this channel is so under appreciated. its absolutely amazing and already one of my fvaorite channels even thought it started just recently. keep up the great work
Actually moving to bi-weekly LOL, but might have some other ideas to fill in those other two weeks (such as doing IG lives, which I’ve done several of and loved it).
I love this channel! (All because of Ben, I now own three vintage Polaroid cameras... and I'm going broke buying film... but that's okay.) Thanks for your work!
I scan my Fujifilm Instax Wide and Polaroid, and I always have friends asking me "why not just take a picture of it with your smartphone?" Now I have finally found people (Ben and people commenting below) who understand me! Yeah I have been looking for a substitute for the Impossible Scan Adapter but they are nowhere to be found. Did not know there was a Cameradactyl released (too bad it was sold out immediately) either! Scanning with my Epson GT-S640 was not fun as scanning the film one by one at 600 dpi was not fast. Your way is much faster and smarter. I may make one for myself. Thanks for the great tips!
I absolutely adore this tutorial video! It not only teaches me the necessary skills, but it also allows me to observe and learn some creative thinking. I have one small request: Is it at all possible to automate the steps for creating a square shape and applying a blurred image background in Photoshop? Admittedly, I struggle when it comes to using Photoshop. Your assistance with this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Hey man! Love the work and keep it up! Also the Brooklyn Film Camera has some of the "Polaroid Scan Adapter V2" back in stock and you gotta grab one up! Thanks for getting me into the instant film world!
Yessir they are! I’ve had about a thousand opportunities to buy one of those but just never do it. Something about my foam board (which I’ve never replaced) feels like HOME ❤️😂
I've generally been using a different app on my phone called Snap which basically does the same as the Polaroid "scan" function but also works with Instax Mini - and then post processing those images in Lightroom on my phone to get them to look like they should, and then into Instasize to add some (usually black) borders and post em up on Instagram! It works - it definitely isn't the best but it's nice having it all on one device. I ALSO scan my images (but usually in a batch cause I'm lazy, after I've got excited and posted the photo to instagram soon after taking it), and recently got my girlfriend's dad to 3D print me some scan adapters! I've not actually got round to using them yet but they were free to download on Thingiverse, so much better than trying to get an old Impossible one! I tend to think of Instagram posts as quick n dirty, and proper scans as archival in some sense - really cool to see your workflow though! Thanks for another great video man, always look forward to seeing them!
Hey mate! Yes I’ve used the Snap app too, but experienced most of the same problems as with the Polaroid app with the added benefit of being able to “scan” multiple formats. With post processing you can get them looking less funky but you’re still kinda dealing with the resolution problem. When I first started my insta I definitely wanted to make sure it was a living archive as much as a public place to post stuff, sort of speaking to the “portfolio” concept I was talking about in the vid. That 3D printed scan adapter sounds dope! I guess you can 3D print stuff at Staples, have never done that, but it would be a nice solution too if people wanted to undertake the 3D printing universe.
If your double sided tape is sticking to your photos too much, you can touch the tape with your fingers a couple of times to make it less sticky. Helped me a lot.
More content, please, more. I'm done with your whole playlist Ben. Thanks again for the quality content! P.s a more detailed version of this video please.
Appreciate you checking the vids and supporting the channel!! Big time. If you have any more questions about the process in this video I can def answer it here in the comments too.
@@InAnInstant it's about the backing unit. Some mid range scanners backing unit can't be taken off unless taking it out entirely. So can black paper be a substitute for the cardboard adaptor? And what other apps can fix the scans other than photoshop? How much does the dpi affect the quality of the polaroid scans?
Taking off the back entirely is definitely an option, as long as your cutout covers the surface you should get solid scans. Just watch not to damage the glass and cover it up when not in use. Regarding DPI, it has an enormous effect on the scan quality - the DPI determines your resolution, and a lower DPI means you’ll have a lower quality file. 600 to me is the base minimum for scanning Polaroids as it gives you a solid archival resolution with more than enough for Instagram. As for alternatives to Photoshop, try GIMP!
Dope and informative video as always man! Keep it up! I almost bought that scanner but didnt know whether or not it used Epson Scan 2, thank you for confirming that for me since no one on ebay knew that 😭Loved the video, fantastic work man.
Ya it’s definitely a convenient product, but with the method I show in this vid the only thing it’s providing is perfect alignment every time. Otherwise you still have to do the rest. It’s a nice thing for sure, but also for people who shoot Instax/Spectra/etc just making one of these cutouts can be used with almost any format!
Theres a few people doing 3d printed versions of the adaptors which work well for me. Rocking an older Epson V500, but love it for all round scanning filme/instant images
Sup Ben? This channel is killing it! Quick suggestion for you or any of the other people watching as far as scanning help. I forgot where I even found about this (pretty sure from another youtube, but I don't remember), but years ago I caught there's a website done by this woman named Zoe Kissel who makes 3d printed adapters for both Polaroid and Fuji instant film (Including adapters for spectra, Instax wide, etc). You can either buy them on her site, or she actually has the 3d printing files so you can make them yourself if you got a 3d printer. I had the same problem as a lot of others and was looking everywhere for the Impossible scanner caddy, and the DIY solutions just weren't producing good results. These things were very helpful, especially for me as I do a lot of Instax wide stuff. Here's the link: www.zoekissel.com/shop Keep grinding on here. This is the type of channel a lot of us instant film stans were fiending for!
Yo this store is so dope! Thanks for turning me onto it. I’ve seen lots of 3D printer files but no stores that straight up sell the damn things. The other accessories here are great! Thanks for the love on the channel dude 🦾
Also, look up Google's "Photo Scan" app. It does a better job than the Polaroid one. if no scanner is available, the google Photo Scan app is nice to have.
I scan with a grey card behind, I leave a little of that in the image because I believe the picture is also an object!!! I do like how you will do a full and cropped to image thing in IG!!!
I just bought instax 300 wide, and I’m not satisfied with Polaroid scanner on App Store. I’m planning to buy Epson V39 or maybe Epson V370, which one is better? since I’m just student so I prefer the cheap one lol. thank you and very helpful video!
Thanks Ben for sharing this usefully method of scanning instant photos. However I don’t have Photoshop. Is there another App that would allow to proceed almost the same process?
Hello, I'm scanning my polaroids on an Epson V600. I want to keep the detail of the border, but it's blowing it out to the point it will be difficult to recover even in photoshop. Can you recommend a technique to also keep the detail of the border?
Do you still recommend the Epson v370 today, or is there a newer/ better scanner you recommend? Also, at the risk of getting too techy, if I'm also looking for a home office printer, are there any scanners you'd recommend for all the same purposes in the video that also have printing abilities (an all in one package would be easier, if they exist & are affordable)? Thanks in advance, appreciate your work!! 📸
Hi Danny! As far as print/scanner combos, I unfortunately have no idea and don't know any film photog pals who use any combo devices. However, I will say if you're just scanning instant film the V370 remains a great option - no real reason to look for anything bigger. The only reason you'd want something like the V600 is because it can scan medium format film. If you want to do that on a flatbed, that would be a good option. If not, the V370 is a great tool!
@@InAnInstant Good to know the v370 is still a good option! And all is well :) Figured I'd check in with an expert first before getting a combo device that makes doinkers out of my photos. Thank you again for your insight!!
@@InAnInstant Thanks for your answer, I needed to hear that! I think I’ll get the V370 for now, at least until I save up for a multipurpose and more expensive Epson scanner.
Any tips on scanning then reprinting and them keeping their color? I have that exact scanner except I use a republic of gamers Asus laptop (windows 10) Instead.... I got the scanning close but when I print on photo paper it cools and darkens
Got a scanner and have been trying to follow these exact steps in PhotoShop. For whatever reason, it won't allow me to select "Rasterize Layer" as seen around the 5:42 mark - like the option is grayed out and unclickable for some reason. Any ideas why that may be? Alternative options I should check out? It's stumped me from progressing further and I haven't found anything on Google or Reddit (I should note I'm using PS on Windows, maybe PS operates differently from Mac to Windows?). Any assistance is appreciated!
My printer scanner is okay, but the lines which often show on the surface of the Polaroid (like the plastic sheet, not the image) will often show up on scans, and especially where there is underexposure or just dark spots of the photo
Yes this is a problem with the bad quality transparent plastic Polaroid is using. Apart from taking away those lines in post, I haven’t found another way to get around it.
Great idea with the foam board, but why not just leave the scanner open? I mean, if pressure is the problem it solves that part, and you get a black background from not having anything there, while you invest nothing because, well, you use literally nothing. Gotta test that out tomorrow. Also, random question, do you have any ideas for what to shoot during the quarantine? Especially with a Polaroid's limitations (wide "prime lens", relatively long shutter speed). Almost everything I'm finding around the house would be a close-up, and that's just not viable on an Impulse... also, it doesn't help that what I want to shoot the most is the Polaroid itself. Guess I'll just have to get another.
Yeah that’s worth a try, in my experience Polaroids tend to “glide” very easily on scanner glass and if there is any curvature in the film (which does happen) it will create warped scans without straight lines. Per the quarantine question, I’ve been doing a lot of social distancing drives. Heading out to remote areas, doing research on interesting subjects and shooting locations, and approaching my shooting that way!
@@InAnInstant Good point with the curvature. Actually noticed it kinda early on, since I was trying to model a Polaroid in 3D the other day and looked for ways to make it look realistic, but didn't think about it for scanning. It's really interesting how it tends to have an S-curve top to bottom plus a little bit of a torsion. The entire pack has the same exact curve too. Anyway, I guess a little pressure helps with that, even if too much creates Newton's rings. Thanks for the idea with the remote areas. Your Hudson Valley stuff is just awesome, perfect pairing with the Polaroid atmosphere. Made me think of a bunch of opportunities I haven't considered before, just... idk how much of it is within walking distance and Europe has a very different attitude to cars. But once we're finally over covid it's gonna be so much fun... Only slightly related, but was instant photography a uniquely American thing? Seems really useful in the days before digital, makes me wonder what the Soviets did about it for example.
@@InAnInstant got the scan test done, here's the result if you're interested: imgur.com/a/tuyEZDG You were right about the curvature, one corner of the film did stick up (top right in this orientation, it was about 3mm in the air), you can actually see some blur there, and the scan with the lid down is just a tiny bit sharper. I'm still surprised how well it scanned though.
@@DeeSnow97 Yeah there's definitely a sweet spot between some pressure to "defeat the curve" and pressure that will cause the rings. Talk about defeating the curve, I hear ya on COVID! The beauty of the project I'm working on is definitely that it's social-distance-friendly. Have a vid coming up about the whole thang! Per your other question, instant photography is def a world-wide phenomenon, and a huge hub for the artform current swells out of central and western Europe where it is predominantly being manufactured (Supersense and Polaroid's HQs). There is of course also the east-Asian contingent, where Fuji has seen great success in Japan for almost 40 years. The utility that instant film provided in the pre-digital era was definitely utilized across the world, the impact was enormous!
I don't understand what the foam is doing in this method. Like how does it relieve pressure from the photos without cutouts or some kind of spacer below it?
It really doesn't, it's mostly for positioning. In later iterations of this, I have added very thin padding to the top and bottom of the foam core, which does relieve that pressure. Some scanners you get luckier than others with Newton rings.
@@InAnInstant Cool, so the newton rings aren't always an issue. Thanks for replying to a year-late comment. Looks like some experimentation is in order! Also, your channel is--no exaggeration--my favorite youtube channel. I'm so glad you're here.
@@InAnInstant When I commented this I didn't have any good ideas But if I remember correctly supersense sells "Polaroid Picture binders" I've heard you needed them since Polaroid stopped producing anything with the old logo
Might be a silly question, but how easy is it to remove the polaroids from the tape? I love the idea but don't want to end up ripping my Polaroids when taking them off the foam board 😅
Lmaoo classic war crimes!! I don't mind the "image behind the image" look, I've never done it but what don't you like about it? Just a messy aesthetic?
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