Artistic TZ – my last pack EVER

It’s been at least a year since I shot my very last pack of Artistic TZ. It’s one of my favorite polaroid films, and Anne Bowerman from The Impossible Project was nice enough to ship me a stray pack that she’d found lying around. I think it might be the teals and greens that I love so much. I visited Clover Bottom mansion again and found an old train bridge, and some other abandoned things. It had been months since I’d seen Chad, and he drove to Nashville to hang out for the day. I’m still waiting on Eden to get a little bigger. I’ve had my eye on a few things throughout the winter, and plan on returning to these places once it gets warm again. I can’t stand the cold. I don’t even want to check my mail when it’s cold out. Here you go, folks – my last Artistic TZ instant images:

These were all shot with an SX-70 Sonar

We’re married!

On May 19th, Paul & I finally said our ‘I do’s’ in Franklin, TN on his parent’s farm. I mean, we didn’t get married out in the pasture or anything, but our wonderful friends drove a while to get there. His mother and her friend had been planning it since we announced our engagement on Valentine’s day. Paul asked me to marry him in Europe! The wedding was one of the most beautiful things I’d ever witnessed. When I saw my bouquet, I cried like a little bitch and his mother hugged me and told me that she loved me, which made me cry even more. His brother, John even performed the ceremony rites, which was awesome! When it came time for me to say my part, I started crying again. Getting married was kind of a big deal for the both of us. We were both recently divorced when we met. He randomly messaged me on the internet and asked if I would like to come over and eat dinner. He cooked an amazing dinner for me and we sat on opposite ends of the couch staring awkwardly at each other while listening to Chris Garneau. I was instantly attracted to him from the day that we met, and he has turned out to be the funniest guy I’ve ever been with. Paul is amazing! He works so hard to give me everything that I want, he takes me anywhere I want to go, and he tells me that he loves me every day. Not to mention he’s friggin’ handsome as hell.

Anyway, the ceremony happened at 2pm. My grandfather walked me down the aisle. Unfortunately my parents could not attend, but my mother is coming in August to be with us when Eden is born. Here are a few photos that our friend Joe Melanson shot of the wedding. We had a photographer, but haven’t gotten the photos back yet. I made the fascinator and veil that I’m wearing in the photos, too.

These next photos were shot with special edition NIGO film from The Impossible Project, which they sent to us as a wedding gift. Thanks so much, Impossible. You have my heart! Unfortunately, most of the photos were shot by family members who were confused when I started to yell that they needed to shield the images from the sun after they came out of the camera, so a lot of them are washed out, but I still love them anyway.

I felt beautiful, but the dress was hot. It was a Galina sweetheart taffeta dress from David’s Bridal.. it was one of the only ones I could find that had an empire waist that wouldn’t crush Eden. She’s so big inside of me now. I think I really wanted it because it had pockets and I could carry my phone in one pocket and put the polaroids in the other. Here’s a photo of the wedding band that Paul placed halfway on my finger. I have to wear them on a necklace because pregnancy has caused my fingers to swell pretty badly. I can’t wait to actually get to wear them both, because they are BEAUTIFUL!

These last photos were shot with my Spectra System on Image Softtone film, which is and will always be my favorite. I’m sad that Impossible is almost out of it.

The woman in pink on the left is Paul’s mother, Mary. She is absolutely gorgeous and I couldn’t thank her enough for putting this all together. I’m so glad to be a part of their family now, and I always have so much fun when I’m out with her. I can pretty much tell her anything, and it’s okay.

Wesley & Angela, who were wed while we were in Europe. I’m so glad that they could make it even though we didn’t get to go to their wedding.

Brandt & Aurora, two of the coolest people I’ve ever met. I’m so lucky to have them as friends. They need to move to Nashville, already!

Charlsie & Patrick, who are also expecting their first baby around the same time that Paul & I are. I’m so excited to have her live so close to us and I’m even more excited that our babies will get to grow up together. They are recently engaged and I’m so happy for them!

This cake is making me hungry, so I’m going to go eat something. I’ll post more photos later on when we get them.

-Ashley Fly (!!! what an awesome last name !!!)

Eden’s 21 Week Ultrasound!

18 minutes of our awesome baby doing awesome things

Abandoned Six Flags, New Orleans

In 2005, hurricane Katrina pretty much completely demolished the Gulf Coast. The day they evacuated was the last day anyone would ride any rides at Six Flags, NOLA.

It took a few minutes to actually find the place on a GPS. Paul just said “Six Flags, New Orleans” into his phone, and it literally showed up as ‘(Closed)’. We had two other people with us at the time (Nicholas and Dawn), so for some reason I felt safer. We had to park the car in some bushes and walk about a quarter of a mile up the median to get there. As we were walking, a guy rolled his window down and yelled at us – “DON’T GET CAUGHT!”

After I heard that, shit got real. My heart started pounding and I started to walk faster. There was a bus stop right outside of the entrance, and I had a backpack full of cameras. We all sat down inside on one of the benches and waited until there were no cars coming from both sides. As soon as I saw an opportunity, I ran as fast as I could through the broken fence and into the parking lot towards brush where I couldn’t be seen, and when that happened, I knew it was time to get down to business. I felt like a kid in a candy store. This was _amazing_.

Everything was broken, almost every wall tagged, and you could hear the wind whistling through the rollercoasters. At one point I was so overwhelmed that I wanted to cry, but then I stepped on some glass and it went through my shoe. Most of the images I shot were digital. I also had a Holga 120N, a Pentax K1000, and a Polaroid Sun 660 (you can find those polaroids in another blog HERE).

Gotham City

I didn’t get very far up. I used to be fearless as a child but for some odd reason I’m scared of heights now. Regardless, it was beautiful.

This is Nick, a wonderful friend who let us crash at his place while we were in NOLA. He has a dragonfly on his face because he is a gangster.

The Jester

There’s a lot of ground we didn’t cover. I couldn’t really step where there was a lot of glass (which was everywhere.) I could probably go again, but next time bring a video camera. I’d love to make a tour of the place.

You can view the rest of the set on flickr HERE. See ya.

-ash

Vacationing with PX 680

Last month, Paul and I went on vacation. We started off with a trip to Gulf Shores and ended up in New Orleans. I finally got to visit a place I’d been dreaming of for years and years (the abandoned Six Flags NOLA).. which I’ll blog about a little bit later. I brought a few packs of PX 680, the new color shade film from The Impossible Project. These were shot with a Sun 660 Autofocus. I had a great time, and I hope you enjoy the shots:

Ferris Wheel
Six Flags has been abandoned since hurricane Katrina in 2005. It is by far the spookiest urban exploration I’ve ever been on, and also the most exciting.

Serval Encounter in Gulf Shores. I got to play with these kittens for a bit, and it was AWESOME.

Dream Canoe

King of the Electric Fence

Paul at Souvenir City

Swan

All of the ornamental seats had been stolen on this ride, as well as every animal on the carousel, which is why I didn’t get a good photo of it.

Octopus – Gulf Shores, AL

We made it just in time to eat at Mellow Mushroom and watch the sunset, which was GORGEOUS.

Sandpipers are by far the most adorable sea bird I’ve ever seen.

That’s it! The rest of the photos I took were digital or Holga, which I haven’t developed yet. But be on the lookout for my next post, which will contain all of the digital photos of the abandoned theme park.

-ash

The Nashville Zoo on Instant Film

A few weeks ago, Paul and I went to the Nashville Zoo. I’d read that there was a new baby giraffe there, and I really wanted to go see it. I finally made it to Nashville. I’ve lived in Clarksville, which is 45 minutes north of here for about 17 years now. If you live there, my only advice to you is to GTFO. I still have family there, though.. so I can’t completely wipe it out of the picture.

All of these photos were taken on instant film purchased from The Impossible Project, and shot with a Spectra System Polaroid camera. The color film is expired Spectra Image Paul Giambarba edition, which you can purchase by clicking HERE. The rest were shot on PZ 600 Silver Shade UV+ which you can also purchase by clicking HERE.

This is Paul, and he’s the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me.

That’s about it for now. I’ve got quite a few more to scan.. so more to come later. Toodles!

Mmmm, fresh Polaroids…

So, I finally purchased some PX70 PUSH! film from The Impossible Project and loaded up the dusty old SX70. I got some really great results, and I got some not so great results.. but we won’t talk about the not so great ones. Before I purchase any more, I’m going to scout out a different model camera. It’s obvious that I’m not using an SLR. #wahwah

Enough talking, onwards to the Polaroids!

Gypsy Hair Deer, corners peeled back to create a cracked border. This shot was taken indoors, which I found to create the best images. If you are shooting outdoors, you should definitely make sure you shield your photo from UV light from the moment it’s ejected from your camera, up until it’s fully developed.

Human Anatomy – this shot was my very first PX70 shot, taken outdoors, and not shielded

Rattle-can lineup. Shot outdoors in the shade

Skull

And this, ladies and gentleman, is my very first successful peel. This was shot at the Elk and Bison prairie at Land Between the Lakes in Paris. I didn’t like it until I peeled it.

This is actually my face

Second peel, getting better…

Lovin’ Spoonful Cafe, near my work. They have delicious meatloaf sandwiches, and the entire place is covered in paint-by-number paintings.. each booth with a different theme. I personally like to sit in the religious booth.

Final peel.

Well, that’s it, until I buy more film. Adieu!