Filtered Experiments by Kyle Seis for Eight Frames
"These are intuitive experiments with the use of transparency film as a filter on top of the film pack in the camera. A previous work from my personal art practice was repurposed to make the images — small fragments were printed on the transparency film to be used as the filter inside of the camera (some of the filters can actually be seen in one of the images), and cut up sections of a vinyl mesh print appear as the subject or as the background of a still life in front of the camera. The results are playful images of an image being layered on top of itself."
— Kyle Seis
Who are you?
Kyle Seis
How old are you?
30
Where are you from?
Milwaukee, WI
How long have you been shooting on Polaroid film?
~13 years off and on
Do you have a favorite or most-frequently-used instant camera?
I've got a One Step Flash with a hydro dipped wood grain apron that's pretty cool!
What types of things do you find yourself photographing the most?
With instant film, I'm typically using it for photos of family/friends.
What kind of camera did you use for these eight pictures?
Red Stripe
What kind of film did you use?
Polaroid 600 Color Film
When did you take these photos?
February 2022
Did you have a single concept or goal when you shot this pack?
I mostly just wanted to play with materials I had on hand in my studio and make some still lifes and images of images! In particular, I wanted to try a few experiments with using Pictorico transparency film as a filter on top of the film to see what kind of layering was possible in camera. There's a lot of room for further experimentation, but it was a fun start.
What is your favorite photo from this pack? Why?
I think I'm most into the photo of the suspended magnifying sheet (the last photo that I ended up taking). There's enough going on visually, but it also feels sort of clean and simple.
Is there a photo that you wish you could retake or swap out?
One frame came out blank because I had poorly placed/secured the transparency film on top of the film pack and the frame didn't eject. I would definitely redo that one!
Did you run into anything weird with this pack?
Just some light leaks here and there, which I definitely caused by pulling the film pack out so many times to play with the transparency film.
Where is the best place to follow your work?
On my site kyleseis.com or @kyle.six on Instagram.
What is Eight Frames?
Each post in this series follows a simple premise: all eight photos from one pack of Polaroid film. The good, the bad, the ugly.
Because it limits the number of exposures and doesn’t allow for edits and omissions, no matter what conceptual approach (or lack thereof) is used, each Eight Frames exercise provides interesting insight into what it’s like to shoot on instant film. Permanence combines with an inescapable potential for variance within the medium itself. To truly succeed with instant film is to understand the process and embrace the variables. Each entry in the series features eight photos from a single film pack followed by a Q&A with the photographer about their process and approach. We hope you enjoy.
