‘Impossible’ Interview with Leanne Surfleet
Today, we are delighted to publish our twenieth ‘Impossible’ article (to view the others, go here), this time we are featuring Leanne Surfleet, a a UK-based photographer who has been capturing self-portraits on analog film, Polaroid 600 and Peel Apart films since 2006. She now shoots Impossible film to create her intimate instant film imagery.
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How long have you been shooting Polaroid/Impossible film?
Since the beginning! I was heartbroken when they announced they were discontinuing everything, until I heard about the Impossible Project!
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Which cameras do you use? What do you like about them?
I mainly use my SX-70 Sonar for instant film as it just has something magical about it that I’ve never found with other cameras. I was mainly shooting on a Spectra for the last few years which has been great for self-portraiture and finding my own specific style. But I’d always wanted an SX-70 and finally treat myself to one a couple of years ago and it’s the best treat ever.
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Where do you shoot most often? And on what film(s)?
I shoot mainly indoors when shooting self-portraits, and I like to use some of the older generation Impossible films as I like when they’re a little more experimental, so I’ve shot a lot of the PX70 / PZ680 Cool films which also look lovely when shooting outside. I mainly like to use Impossible Project films for portraiture as I feel I get the most out of the films when shooting people. After years of shooting instant film I know when to hold back and when something just has to be shot on Impossible film.
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
How would you describe your work? And who/what/where inspires you?
I’d describe my work as personal and diary-like, with it being mostly self-portraiture and of the things and people in my life. Sometimes lots of things inspire me such as light, colours, time of day, people, friends, books, other photographers and artists, women and just generally the mood I wake up in. Other times I can struggle with inspiration which I’m sure all creative people do from time to time, I try not to let it get to me too much as theres usually something just around the corner.
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Tell us a little about the pictures in your set which are your most favorite and why?
The photographs I selected to show are some of my favourites that I’ve shot over the past couple of years. Most are self-portraits and show me how much I’ve changed since I started taking them, mostly how I’ve changed emotionally. My most favourite are the self-portraits with beams of light across my eyes or face, I love using light in this way. Other favourites are the portraits I take of other people, the SX-70 is perfect for it and combined with Impossible film it all feels like a dream.
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Do you have any helpful creative techniques or advice you would like to share to other Impossible artists?
I think the best advice I could give is to just keep shooting with Impossible film, even if a certain pack just doesn’t work out too well with your camera, theres always more film (I hope!) and more time for experimenting.
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Do you have any upcoming exhibitions/publications?
I do! Theres a show coming up in December in London by World Wide Women, which is a collective of female artists and photographers which I’m a part of. The show is called ‘Ritual’ and a group of us are exhibiting works which fits with that theme. And some of my photographs in the show were shot on Impossible film!
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
Who are you favorite photographers, living or dead?
Nan Goldin, Francesca Woodman, William Eggleston, Lukasz Wierzbowski, Eylül Aslan, Aëla Labbé, Alison Scarpulla and so many more!
Image ©Leanne Surfleet
What are you hoping for from Impossible during the next year?
I would love if Impossible worked on a new peel apart film for Pack film cameras, that’d be a dream. But I’m hoping to try out the newest generation of SX-70 and Spectra films as I haven’t had a chance to yet.
Explore more of Leanne’s work with Impossible film on her website, Instagram & Flickr and connect with her on Facebook!
Joanne Carter
Joanne Carter is a British photography journalist, editor, curator, and the founder of *TheAppWhisperer.com*, one of the world’s leading platforms dedicated to mobile photography and art. Since its launch in 2009, TheAppWhisperer has become an international hub for artists of all levels to discover, learn, exhibit, and engage with contemporary photographic practice.Built on principles of inclusivity, accessibility, and artistic excellence, Joanne has spent almost two decades championing mobile photography as a serious artistic medium. Through interviews, critical essays, exhibitions, competitions, and education, she has helped shape and document the evolution of mobile art on a global scale.Her work has taken her internationally, lecturing on photography and mobile art at institutions and events including the Museum of Art in Seoul, South Korea, alongside appearances in the UK and Europe. She has served as a juror for international photography and mobile art awards across Portugal, Canada, the United States, South Korea, Italy, and the UK.Joanne is also the founder of *TheAppWhispererPrintSales.com*, one of the first online galleries dedicated exclusively to collectible mobile art, connecting artists with collectors across Europe, the United States, and Asia.Before founding TheAppWhisperer, Joanne worked extensively in print journalism and photographic publishing, including roles at a paparazzi photo agency and as deputy editor of a leading photography magazine. Her freelance journalism, criticism, and commentary have been published widely in both the UK and the US, with bylines in *The Times*, *The Sunday Times*, *The Guardian*, *Popular Photography*, *NikonPro*, *DPReview*, *Which?*, *Vogue Italia*, *LensCulture*, the *BBC*, and more recently, the *Financial Times*, where her published letters on photography continue to contribute to wider conversations around the medium.Alongside her editorial and curatorial work, Joanne’s own photographic practice has been exhibited internationally across the UK, Europe, South Korea, and the United States. Her work increasingly explores themes of grief, loss, death, memory, and the body.Her current research interests centre on grief, death, and poverty, with forthcoming postgraduate study leading towards doctoral research in these areas.Joanne is currently developing new long-form writing and photographic projects and is available for commissions, editorial projects, speaking engagements, and collaborations.Contact: joannetheappwhisperer@gmail.com)
