HUDSON HALE
ALL      PRODUCT      GRAPHIC      PHOTOGRAPHY      UI/UX
RESUME       ABOUT      LINKEDIN      EMAIL

POLAROID PARALLAX

2023-25
Seeking to expand the artistic expression of the Parallax "wiggle effect," I ventured into experimenting with a wide range of cameras, including Polaroids.

The real challenge emerged when I attempted to synchronize multiple Polaroids to capture a seamless parallax effect. Direct wiring of each camera was impractical, and manually coordinating the shutter release was too inconsistent. And so, my close friend and I constructed a Hexascopic Polaroid Rig. This setup involves six Polaroid cameras, all encloded in a 3D printed case, adjustable on a linear aluminum track, with solenoids all linked to fire the shutter buttons.

When activated, the solenoids triggered all the cameras at once, ensuring simultaneous Polaroid shots. In theory, this sounded fairly simple, but engineering a system that was reliable enough to be used dozens of times ended up being a larger challenge than anticipated. After fine tuning, and knees deep in the money hole of polaroid film, the rig was working reliably.

Apple has since implemented an AI Parallax effect into the photos app with the release of the iphone 17.