Retro Gifts for the Photo Buff

Digital technology has made it easy for even the amateur photographer to achieve amazingly perfect shots. That's probably everything old school and imperfect is so popular right now. Here's some retro-inspired photography accessories and equipment for that photo enthusiast on your list.

Lo-fi Digital

This Diana lens and adapter for Canon DSLR ($60) is absolutely genius. Now you don't have to switch between film and digital to achieve the look of a Diana camera. Dianas are known for their low saturation, soft surreal blurs, and unpredictable colors and now you can achieve that same look with your DSLR camera. Available from Photojojo.

Blackbird, Fly

This plastic twin-lens reflex camera ($140) is a remake of the Japanese design developed in the 1920's with one lens for the view-finder and one for shooting. This camera uses 35mm film but also allows you to shoot in square format as well. LIke the Holga or Diana, this plastic TLR will give you unpredictable results, varied colors, etc. Available in a rainbow of colors from the SF Moma store.

Fuji Instax Instant Camera

Digital is cool, but sometimes you want the immediacy of a physical photo. This next generation poloroid from Fuji ($90) will print credit card sized photos on demand. Camera comes with a built-in flash, wide angle lens and multiple exposure settings. Film is about $10 for 20 exposures. Available from Photojojo.

Retro Camera Straps

I still have my 70's woven tapestry camera strap for my Canon SLR. You can find vintage straps on eBay or check out these new straps with that vintage look for your DLSR camera. The Boneca Linda shop on Etsy features a variety of woven straps like this madison strap ($35) at right.

I've blogged about Kat Straps before. These straps are handmade by a weaver named Kat and are available in all kinds of colors and cool designs like strap #28 at the left for $38, but all of her designs are amazing.

Gifts for the Camera Buff

Here's a few gift ideas for the photographer in your life.

Bottle Cap Tripod

I just bought myself one of these super portable Bottle Cap Tripods ($10). Complete with an adjustable 15 degree pivot this little gadget is the perfect camera accessory. Screw your camera onto the universal tripod mount and then snap the cap on any bottle for perfect low-light shots or self-portraits. Available from urbanoutfitters.com.

Poloroid PoGo

Print your digital photos on the go with this compact photo printer from Poloroid ($99). Prints directly from cell phones and digital cameras with Bluetooth and USB connections. 2x3 photos print in as little as 1 minute. Approximately $12.99 for 30 sheets of ZINK photo paper. Available from BestBuy.com.

Ikomono Camera

This tiny Ikimono 110 camera ($19.99) clips to a key chain or fits easily in your pocket. The Ikimono uses 110 format film and features illustrations of little creatures, called ikimono in Japanese, by Mika Sasaki. The resulting photos have a unique retro look and 110 film can print 3 x 5 or 4 x 6 prints. Available from Brooklyn5and10.

Camera Tee

Available in both men's and women's versions this camera tee ($45) from Sundance features a cool camera print on either a black or white t-shirt. The shirt has the word "focus" printed on the back. Also available with short-sleeves.

Camera Strap

There are a variety of different camera strap patterns to choose from on the site MyFunkyCamera. Regular camera straps are $32 with a a quick-release kit for an extra $5. I love this chocolate brown strap with purple and green flowers.

Even better (in my opinion) are woven camera straps. They remind me of the70's strap on my Canon AE-1. Kat Straps has an assortment of woven camera straps like this fuzzy red and black strap with rustic leather connectors. ($27) that I love. Their tie-dye strap is also really cool.

Camera Bag

Finally, if that photographer in your life is REALLY special, these leather camera bags from Jill-E are simply the coolest, most fashionable camera bags I've seen. The women's styles are great, but I actually like the new men's line even better. This medium brown leather bag ($239.99) is my favorite and reminds me of a vintage camera bag (without the moldy vintage smell!).

Your Photo Here

Custom M&M's

Here's a great idea for a child's birthday, a wedding or even a corporate event. Upload an image to print on the back of Hershey's M&M's! You can also print text message and choose from 22 different colors. I just ordered purple M&M's with Paloma's picture on them for party favors for her 12th birthday.

Design your own M&M's on mymms.com. A minimum order of $39 is required.

Stickers

Print up to 90 different images in these sticker books from moo.com. High-quality vinyl stickers made with photography or design starting at $9.99. Great gift idea or stocking stuffer.

Custom Postage Stamps

Create your own postage stamps out of any photo. Available from photo.stamps.com and zazzle.com. Stamps cost about $5-$10 in addition to postage depending on how many you order.

Cool Photo Stuff

Tin Type Photos

Rayko Photo Center in San Francisco is offerring portrait service to get an old-time tin type photo like the one at the left. I have not done this yet, but seriously forcing my family to all do a portrait.

More info and examples on the RayKo website.

Acrylic Photo Transfer

One of the most successful projects I've done is transferring old black and white photos to canvas. This is a project I originally saw in ReadyMade Magazine. They recommend painting over the photos with acrylic paints. I didn't actually like that effect when I tried it. I prefer just the simple black and white image on white canvas. I took a bunch of old family photos and transferred them to canvas leaving a large amount of white space around as sort of a frame.

Instructions:

Choose an image and make copies. You can alter the original by blowing it up, shrinking it down, or otherwise mucking about with it at this stage. (Note: If you're using text, remember that the print will be reversed, so set the text backwards.) 2. Trim off any parts of the image you don't want to transfer (Photo 1). 3. Using a brush, apply the acrylic medium to the canvas in a thick, even layer that is the approximate shape and size of the photocopy (Photo 2). 4. Now coat the front of the photocopy with the acrylic medium (Photo 3). 5. Place the photocopy facedown on the canvas (Photo 4). 6. On a flat surface, use a jar lid to rub all of the bubbles, wrinkles, and extra acrylic medium out from between the canvas and the photocopy. Start in the middle and work your way out to the edges (Photo 5). 7. Allow to dry completely on a flat surface. (If you used a lot of the acrylic medium, leave it overnight to be safe). 8. Use a wet sponge or spray bottle to saturate the back of the paper photocopy with water (Photo 6). 9. Using your fingers or the dough scraper, rub off the paper. Scrape with care: Don't scratch off the image, but rub enough paper off to leave only the black toner on the canvas. 10. Stretch your canvas onto a stretcher frame and staple it into place. 11. Use watered-down transparent acrylic paints to add color to your art by filling in the outlines. 12. Hang and call an appraiser.

Photo Newsletter

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