Five toy camera images
hand-printed using traditional darkroom techniques
by DAN ZAMUDIO
This photographic series focuses on creating the small, square, slightly faded images that are similar to photographs found inside old photo albums. I seek out a subject matter considered a link to the past and compose the images by excluding anything that would destroy the illusion of a vintage photograph.
I used a vintage toy camera called “Diana” to create my black and white images. The Diana camera is made of plastic, including the lens. The plastic lens produces a slightly blurred focus that adds an aged quality to the photographs. The original cameras were discontinued in the late 1960s and early 70s.
“Sears Tower”
“Ice Skaters”
“Boats”
“Cityscape with Trains”
“Belmont”
Dan Zamudio’s photographic work centers on the use of traditional and vintage photography techniques. He uses both a plastic toy camera and Polaroid as tools to create images focused on architecture throughout the Chicago neighborhood landscape.