Contact: opulent.tarnish@gmail.com

I am a film photographer who uses vintage and toy cameras. I’m comforted by the mechanical solidity of a heavy old film camera, and delighted by the unpredictable results of expired film and toy cameras. I enjoy the challenges of working within the limitations of film, but I’m also intrigued by the possibilities created when mixing the old and the new and by choosing from the best aspects of both. This desire for experimentation has also led me to cyanotypes, cyanolumens, and instant film.

Most recently I’ve “gone digital” creating collages in Photoshop, many of which then become negatives for cyanotype printing. I use only open source material, gathered from the online collections of museums and libraries worldwide. It’s a great excuse to wander through nearly unending virtual stacks and galleries, and has both inspired me to create more and served as a comforting “place” during dark times.

The cameras:

Vintage cameras

  • PentaxK1000 and Zorki-6 rangefinder (35 mm)

  • Agfa Isolette 4.5 (medium format)

  • Polaroid 600

  • Polaroid SX-70

Lomography/plastic/toy cameras

  • Diana+ and Holga (medium format)

  • Diana Mini (35mm)

  • Diana Baby (110)

  • Sprocket Rocket (35mm panoramic)

  • Lomo'Instant (Fuji Instax Mini Film)

Vermeer 6x6 pinhole camera

And more waiting to be used…

I scan all negatives myself, using Photoshop only for dodging/burning and dust removal. Any "effects" such as double exposures were created in-camera; unusual colors are due to using expired or altered film, or specialty films such as LomoChrome Purple or Redscale.

Exhibitions

2025

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

  • Unbound 14!, Candela Books + Gallery, Richmond, VA

2024

  • Artomatic, Washington DC 

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

2023

  • Love of Polaroid, Shop 53 Art Gallery, La Plata, MD 

2022

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

  • Special Exhibit: The Photographic Process, The Art League Gallery, Alexandria, VA 

2021

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

2020

  • The Spooky Show, LightBox Photographic Gallery, Astoria OR 

2019

  • Ars Necronomica: Dark Dreams in the Divine City, Providence Art Club, Providence RI

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

2018

  • The 2018 Athenaeum Invitational / The Cabinet of Curiosities, Alexandria, VA  

  • Silicon Valley Plastic Camera Show, Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA  

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC 

2017

  • 1460 Wallmountables, District of Columbia Arts Center (DCAC), Washington DC  

  • Artomatic, Crystal City, VA 

2016

  • Crystal City Photowalk, Crystal City, VA 

2014

  • Artomatic Takes Flight, Washington National Airport, Arlington, VA 

2013

  • DCist Exposed Photography Show, Longview Gallery, Washington DC 

2012 

  • Artomatic, Crystal City, VA 

  • 2012 DCist Exposed Photography Show, Longview Gallery, Washington DC 

Publications 

2019

  • “2019 NecronomiCon Providence Memento Book,” Lovecraft Arts & Sciences Council 

2016

  • “Exposed DC Photography Show: 10th Anniversary Edition,” Exposed DC 

  • “Folk Horror Revival: Corpse Roads Poetry & Photography,” Wyrd Harvest Press 

Arts Education 

  • Corcoran College of Art + Design, Washington, DC (spring semester, Continuing Education), 2012 

  • Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA, 1989 to 1991