National Portrait Gallery!

(c) Matt Larson, Tall Ships, iPhone

Well, my little project has taken me (aka ToyCameraPlay) all the way to Washington! Below is an email I received today from a new collector, John Wachtel. Thanks John for the email! I love hearing stories from folks that have purchased one of my pieces. Very cool indeed.

(c) Matt Larson, Art-O-Mat Artist Bio

"You can add another city to your list! Washington, DC at the National Portrait Gallery A co-worker of mine told me about the Art-O-Mat and said there was one in the National Portrait Gallery, which happens to be a couple blocks from our office. Three of us stopped over during lunch and each purchased "an art". I have mine at my desk to spruce the place up. It also serves as a little reminder during the day that there is a whole world outside my cubicle wall, even if I don't see it. My particular photograph is of a ship's mast with a blue sky and clouds in the background. Thank you so much, we were all inspired!"
John Wachtel, Washington D.C.

Yep! It's me! ToyCameraPlay

Both Photos, (c) Rebecca Sexton Larson, 2009

Lensbaby Portraits of Matt Larson

iPhone Shots from the Road

(Top L) David Fireworks, (Top R) StandSpace
(Bottom Left), (Bottom Right) Alien Florida Palms


All photos (c) Matt Larson, 2009

iPhone, Camera Bag, Lolo Effect

iPhone Captures Plain White T's!

Sound Check!

It was great meeting the members of Plain White T's Wednesday in the studio of Daytime! (NBC, News Channel 8) in Tampa. The band did two songs and were a huge hit. Great guys too! I gave Tom Higgenson my Flickr card so hopefully he'll stop by the blog and leave a comment. I didn't know they were coming to visit Daytime! so all I had was my iPhone with me.

One day soon, I'll post my old rock photos of some great 70 & 80s bands (Kiss, Frampton, Mother's Finest, Led Zeppelin, etc.) ... I sure miss those days of going to concerts and taking pictures.

The Plain White T's were great all around ... their personality, putting up with numerous sound checks, the delays, etc. It was during those times their true good nature and character showed ... truely a great group of guys and I wish them well. Going to get the CD this weekend!

Those of you in Tampa, Watch Daytime! today (Friday) ... you won't be disappointed.

Live! taping for Daytime!

(c) Matt Larson, 2009
iPhone Photos
Camera Bag, Helga Effect

Road Trip--Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, KY

We thought we would take the Mini Cooper for a spin to see family in Kentucky. What a fun ride it has been so far. Today we took a ride through a cemetery that was highly recommended to us. It's located in the center of Louisville--if you go, plan to spend a day. It's worth it.

Unique statutes are everywhere ... many icons we've never seen before. The grounds are well kept and beautiful sitting with rolling hills.

The weather was perfect for us all day.

This is the largest concentration of Civil War soldiers we've seen. Pictured above is just one of at least three areas within the ground dedicated to Civil War veterans.

The Mini was a good spotter and was the perfect size to navigate the tight turns.

(C) Matt Larson, 2009
Argus Bean toy camera
Sepia Mode

Mammoth Cave Hike
(C) Matt Larson, 2009
Argus Bean Toy Camera
Shot on Sepia Mode

BANYAN TREES. Toy Camera Video Short

TITLE: BANYAN TREES
(c) Matt Larson 2009
Toy Camera Video Short
Shot with Argus Bean Toy Camera

Much Needed Rain Today!

Rain, (c) Matt Larson, 2009

iPhone, Camera Bag App, Lolo Effect

"Roid Week 2009"

All Polaroid 600 images, (c) Matt Larson, 2009

ToyCameraPlay is participating in "Roid Week 2009"

Good Day in the Darkroom!

Today, I worked in the darkroom!

Don't let this happen to you! Today was the day I faced my past--
my past rolls of unprocessed film.

And I must say, it was a good day and I got it all done.
I'm all caught up and will soon be ...

... making prints from my NEW negatives.
And, lesson learned on letting the unprocessed film get out of control.

All images, (c) Matt Larson, 2009

NEW BLOG HEADER, NEW YEAR

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

I wanted to thank everyone for following my blog this year, it has been a blast working on it and sharing what I've been working on. Considering how CRAZY my life has been at work (three job title changes and dodging multiple layoffs) throughout 2008, I'm proud I was able to keep the blog going ... from our first Open Studio Sale to my year-long Polaroid Project.

ABOUT MY BLOG HEADER
Now that the Polaroid Project is done, I wanted a new header to reflect where I'm going in 2009, work-wise. Thanks goes to BOXFOTOS for designing it for me--she rocks! And I'm happy to say, it's back to film. It's back to my faithful Diana and Holga cameras! And to the 10 rolls of unprocessed film that is a year-plus old now. I'll share the contact sheets with you once the rolls are processed. I need to focus on making exhibition prints and getting in more exhibitions. Oh, and I do plan to self-publish a book on the Polaroids and will have that for sale soon. Watch for that! And finally, I want to put some movie clips on the blog ... yes, it will be with cheap, toy-like cameras too. Why? Why not.

OTHER CHANGES ...
This blog is taking over my identity ... it's by far surpassed my website SHOOTINGblind.com and Matt Larson. That's okay for I thought that may happen, and it did. So, on the rail is now a link to SHOOTINGblind for those that need more information like past exhibitions, artist statement, etc., etc.

And I'm on Twitter too, everything I shoot with my iPhone (a new project) automatically feeds this blog. Note that when that happens, it does not generate a "post." It just appears, so you'll have to check back often. If you're on Twitter, look me up ... I'm TOYCAMERAPLAY. Go figure.

More changes and new stuff will be happening as all these changes and improvements happen ...

So to recap ... my new blog header reflects all my favorite cameras and therefore reflects the type images you'll see. My blog IS now my OFFICIAL website and TOY CAMERA PLAY is king. Business cards and t-shirts to come. T-shirts ... hummmm, anyone want a t-shirt. :0)

Thanks again for following ... thanks for your support!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Matt
toycameraplay

Larson & Larson Open Studio, Nov. 15

Okay, we're about ready for our first Open Studio (Nov. 15, 11 a.m. til 8 p.m.) and here is a sneak peak for you blog followers. I told you that you would always be the first to know what's happening in the studio (the big benefit for blog subscribers!). Below are some shots I did this morning throughout the house ... if you can't make it to our Open Studio, you can always call us for an appointment. And one more item before you read on ... it's TOY CAMERA PLAY's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY !

Matt Larson
B/W Holga landscapes $250 (originally $500); Polaroids $70 (originally $125).

Rebecca Sexton Larson
Handpainted one-of-a-kind photographs 1/2 off gallery price.
Small tintypes ($75) and handpainted photos ($65)

Rebecca Sexton Larson
Take a few minutes to cruise through the flat file and see original works going back 10 years--this is truly a MUST see. Note our recent new acquisition (over the flat file) to our collection by Daniel Morgan. We try our best to add a piece to our personal collection every year as our gift to each other--we're celebrating 24 years! Happy Anniversary Boxfotos!

Rebecca Sexton Larson
Original mix media photos on wood panels

Rebecca Sexton Larson
This is the perfect chance to own one her large original photographs at a very affordable price! More Polaroids under the bench...

Matt Larson
Original Polaroids price at $50 (originally $125) ...

... that's the big sneak peak (as promised), we hope to see you on Saturday, Nov. 15.

PLEASE RSVP IF YOU CAN!
THANK YOU!
813-876-2942