From May 17-19, a gathering of instant film-photography people called “PolaCon“, was held in NYC for the second time. This year, the event was primarily held at Worthless Studios in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn, plus two offsite photo-walk locations.

I went on Saturday the 18th and had a great time meeting old friends, making new ones, checking out gear, trying out mods, discussing hacks, attending workshops and presentations. Highlights included: author Christopher Bonanos talking with John & Mary McCann (original Polaroid royalty!!) and brilliant photographer/artist Rhiannon Adam talking about life on a boat, creativity, artistic process, and going to space (as soon as the FAA approves the launch). And of course, I shot a bunch of Polaroids!

Many thanks to the Instant Film Society for bringing PolaCon back to New York City in 2024! And special thanks to Polaroid for their direct sponsorship this year!

PolaCon NYC 2024 attendees (same as last year’s event) were many people I had known only on Instagram, YouTube, or elsewhere, engineers and “refurbishers” hacking and modifying vintage cameras to work with modern instant films, plus enthusiasts, creators, and photographers.

PolaCon Polaroids: Monochrome Men

As I walked into PolaCon, I popped a pack of Polaroid 600 Black&White film (8 exposures) into the Polaroid 680ES SLR camera I was planning to use for the day. Without planning it that way, turned out the first pack was all guys with cameras, and one with vinyl turntables.

Subjects: Various attendees & exhibitors at PolaCon NYC 2024
Location: Worthless Studios, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photographer: Russ Murray
Camera: Polaroid SLR 680 ES (vintage)
Film: Polaroid 600 Monochrome (new)

PolaCon Polaroids: Polychrome People

Subjects: Various attendees & exhibitors at PolaCon NYC 2024
Location: Worthless Studios, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photographer: Russ Murray
Camera: Polaroid SLR 680 ES (vintage)
Film: Polaroid 600 Color Instant Film (new)

PolaCon Digitals: SONY & iPhone

Since it was an instant photography event, I didn’t do much digital, but I grabbed a few shots with my iPhone 15 Pro and SONY Alpha 6500. They were both perfect for shooting discreetly from across the room during conversations and presentations, or quickly when people were doing something interesting…

Portraits: Mary & John McCann (of Edwin Land’s inner circle at Polaroid), Christopher Bonanos (author, writer, photographer), and Daniel Rodrigue (journalist, professor, photographer):

Portraits: Rhiannon Adam

Verticals: PolaCon People & Things

Horizontals: PolaCon People

Subjects: Various attendees & exhibitors at PolaCon NYC 2024
Location: Worthless Studios, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photographer: Russ Murray
Camera(s): SONY Alpha 6500 Mirrorless Digital / iPhone 15 Pro Max

Portraits: Me, Moi-self, and Eye

Subject:  Russ Murray at PolaCon NYC 2024 (I needed a haircut!)
Location: Worthless Studios, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photographer: Kyle / WeirdCameras
Camera: Nikon DSLR connected to processor & color printer — a hybrid digital “instant” photo…

Subjects:  Russ Murray and Alex Fourier at PolaCon NYC 2024
Location: Worthless Studios, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Photographer: Alin Tolea / Analogue Studio DC
Camera: Polaroid 450 Land Camera with Alin’s mod for Instax Wide film

---

Now that PolaCon NYC 2024 is behind us, I’m already looking forward to the next one, wherever it will be! 🙂

---

*if you love instant photography AS MUCH AS WE DO, please join our Facebook group: Instant Photography Gods, Mods & Bods which celebrates those who created and those who create with our favorite medium!*

---

We hope you enjoyed this blog post! Please visit our online stores and partners at the shop in Barcelona soon…

---

TEXOLUX | PHOTO

KEY PAGES & LINKS

• Cameras include: Texolux, Lomography, Polaroid, Instax, NONS, MiNT & more!
• Films include: Kodak, Lomography, Ilford, FLIC, Film Ferrania, Film for Classics & more!
• Extras include: lenses, flashes, straps, carry cases, skins, storage, display options & more!

BUY FROM OUR STORES

Shopify — NEW cameras, lenses, films & accessories.

eBay — VINTAGE cameras, lenses, accessories & OPP.

Barcelona — we collab with Cameras & Films and their brick-and-mortar shop in the El Born District of this fabulous city!