Shooting 20x24 Portraits With A Massive Camera & Unique “Instant” Process [Instant Shoots]

On this episode, we redefine BIG for business with a 20x24 shoot for the ages. With a new spin on the ultra large format by Ethan Moses (Camerdactyl), we take a historic ride with his enormous custom camera for two days of astonishing photographic experiences.
Special thanks to Ethan (@Cameradactyl), Wyckoff Windows for hosting us the whole thing (@WyckoffWindows), Natt McFee & Matt Lucier for shooting the episode (@NattMcfee/@WhoIsMattLucier), Kyle Depew for cultivating this beautiful opportunity (@upsidewalkdown), and to all the folks who booked portrait sessions and came on down to the studio!
As always, you can follow me on IG @the.instantgram and donate to the Patreon at / inaninstantchannel
Go ahead and drop a 20x24 camera onto that subscribe button for more instant goodness!

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you again to everyone involved in making this episode happen; their handles are in the description, follow them! Also a huge assist from the folks who have donated on the Patreon, it's keeping this channel chugging and we have more big eps to come thanks to you! www.patreon.com/inaninstantchannel

[@cactusshaverfilms7240]

Seeing these on Instagram has been great, but actually seeing that camera and process has just blown my mind. Maybe I'll have to start growing trees and mining aluminium

[@InAnInstant]

😂 if you start now, you’ll have a camera in 15 years!!

[@EuanLynn]

I swear basically every video you post I'm like "Damn, this is Ben's best video yet!" but seriously, the vibes from this are massive. Simply because of how much seeing you guys hanging out, making some absolutely sick photos and getting so hyped about it made me feel desperate to take some photos myself, I'm calling it - this is your best one yet. Thanks for the consistently great content! 🙌

[@InAnInstant]

Euan thank you so much, I’m mega excited about this episode to the point where it might be my fav too. Just so many people I love in one vid, hard to beat that!!

[@mattlucier6493]

THERE WERE DOUBTERS! THEY SAID THAT NEIL JR. AND FUZZ WOULD NEVER MAKE IT BACK FROM THEIR RISKY FIRST MISSION BUT THEY ARE BACK AND BIGGER THAN EVER

[@InAnInstant]

THE COSMOS CALLED AND THE BOYS ANSWERED WITH BRAVERY AND DETERMINATION. AS THE FORMATS GET LARGER, SO DO THEIR HEARTS. NEIL JR AND FUZZ WILL RETURN…#BRINGTHEMHOME

[@TimothymakeupsDitzler]

This is my dream episode! Amazing lineup of guests, amazing camera and YOU! 🐐 🐐 🐐 ♥️

[@TimothymakeupsDitzler]

P.S. I so need to come visit.

[@InAnInstant]

Tim!! I would love nothing more than to see your face, let me know when you’re thinking of coming by the crib!!

[@birgitbuchart2839]

@@TimothymakeupsDitzler absolutely !

[@JamieMPhoto]

This was stupendous fun. And even more mind-blowing that I got to see the skeletal build of this camera in person and now get to watch it in action. Super inspiring!

[@InAnInstant]

So inspiring, Ethan is a total genius and we’re all so lucky to have him in this analog world!

[@57Stratmann]

The Stratmann is speechless !!! All questions were answered whilst watching your yet another amazing video and more. Wish I was there sitting in a corner being very very quiet of course watching the magic unfold, I mean evolve and develop. This video is in my top 5 of all your videos !!!! Thanks again…..

[@InAnInstant]

The Stratmann!! Hopefully this video made it feel like you were indeed in the corner watching along. Thanks for the kind words brother!

[@kyleyankanich3726]

I took his workshop right after this, and it was pretty incredible. Seeing photos of these prints don't do them justice, get to one of his classes or sessions if you can!

[@InAnInstant]

Totally, and seeing a print come to life in color is an unforgettable experience! Hopefully Ethan can do more of those workshops in the future!

[@kyleyankanich3726]

@@InAnInstant Yes, let's all peer pressure him into doing more of these.

[@InAnInstant]

DONE

[@kyleyankanich3726]

@@InAnInstant that workshop has me doing 8x10 versions of this, as well at attempting to build a 20x24 🤣

[@camiroquai1]

I looooved it! This is by far one of my top 3 memories of an unforgettable honeymoon. Having the chance to meet you and all the amazing folks who are part of the instant photography community just blew me away and even now it's hard to believe. I am lookimg forward to seeing you again and sharing more and more experience. Huge shoutout to Ethan, the mastermind behind this amazing experience, Brooklyn Film Camera and Wyckoff windows whose put all these amazing parts together.

[@InAnInstant]

Milo it was absolutely incredible to meet you my friend!! So beautiful to have you and the whole instant family in the house, that really made everything even more special!

[@willysheepskin]

F/Blue tape for life from this day forward ahah! Had to pick my jaw up off of my keyboard to type that, cus man oh man this is CRAZY BONKERS ULTRA ULTRA COOL. The rendering is so sweet and the fact that you got the colors to render the way they did with RA4 reversal is such an immense technical achievement in itself. The way the prints look in the end is also one of the coolest things I've seen ever, the borders themselves are works of art in their own right. I love how loud the strobes are too, mine give a little pop at max power but these sound like a BOOM ahah. THERES NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT SPACE

[@InAnInstant]

Billiam! So glad you got to check this out. F/Blue tape gang will thrive forever. Agreed about the borders too, they are such a analog and chemical cacophony, adds a beautiful frame to it - and in an actual frame it adds this wicked mat to it. And, in conclusion, AGREED - THERE'S NOTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT SPACE. Thank you brother!

[@filmhowyalike]

Video was soooo good. So much heart in it, I could feel the love & positivity. Amazing work everyone, such a great moment (moments!) captured 👏👊

[@InAnInstant]

My bruvvy Ya-Ya!! Thank you so much!!

[@williamclintonogbebor387]

Where has this channel been all my life!!!!!!! INSTANT LOVE

[@InAnInstant]

Woww welcome to the vibe!!!

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Thank you for documenting this project. I had the pleasure of showing the design and build process, back in ABQ.

[@InAnInstant]

Joe that is so awesome! I hope to get back to ABQ soon.

[@theclovercross]

I couldn't even come up with anyone better to show off the joy of this process! huge fan of ethan already and you too but this was a perfect storm - Kudos!

[@InAnInstant]

This comment is so nice, thank you beyond words!!

[@Christian_from_Copenhagen]

This is the first video I have seen at release after binging your channel for the past week, and what a banger! Can't wait to follow your adventures in real time, they're always a pleasure ✌

[@InAnInstant]

Awesome Christian! Welcome to the IAICU (In An Instant Cinematic Universe)!!

[@anthonyritchie696]

How amazing... great video.. Glad you documented this spectacular process

[@InAnInstant]

Thank you Anthony!

[@burendasan]

Those portraits of you and Kyle are the type that you frame and hang in your living room! 👍🏼

[@InAnInstant]

Big ole’ heads!!

[@randomgrenad346]

Biiiiiiiiig fooooooor B! Gaaawd I love you Ben! Thank you for sharing this!

[@InAnInstant]

MAASSSSSSIVEESS FOR B!!!!

[@carlosmanzo9209]

WOW!! I'm in love!!

[@brineb58]

This is beyond cool!!! I am so jealous that you got to do this!!!

[@josephschwartz1883]

Life changing.

[@jameskunetka8915]

Fantastic! I can't imagine any instant photography devotee not sharing the sheer sense of excitement and wonder you guys displayed while making this video. Loved it. (And I want my very own 20x24 system.)

[@aglassbrightly]

Y'all made absolute magic. One of my favorite episodes so far. Also, we need more Bob content! Woooo!!

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so much Carlton and yes I agree, MORE BOB!!!

[@davidm5790]

I just went down the cameradactyl rabbit hole and WOW. There are not many times you find an actual genius in life and Ethan definitely is a genius.

[@7evive]

This video was glorious. This is by far your best video, I was excited like it was me shooting it for the whole 15mins!

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks so so much!! I hope we can do more like this in the future, loved the amount of folks we fit into one vid!

[@mileschun143]

How adaptable do you think the process is? Theoretically cut an RA4 sheet for the film gate of the pentax 67? Mini prints!

[@InAnInstant]

This process would work on paper cut as small as a thimble!

[@artiemilano378]

Love you all as usual omg

[@christophharman5325]

Intriguing video. And a fascinating process. Big kudos to Ethan. Thoroughly enjoyable! Actually, basically, just frik’n cool.

[@bassybossy]

Mindblowing! Now to scrape the insides of my head off the wall

[@OkieRoamer]

This is amazing. Makes my heart happy.

[@InAnInstant]

My heart still vibing from it!!

[@princessrashidart]

Fantastic!

[@birgitbuchart2839]

EPIC!

[@TheOn3LeftBehind]

This is freaking amazing.

[@CristianGeelen]

I want one for my birthday. :)

[@caiodlimaM]

this is just amazing

[@sandehalynch]

Super work, everyone.

[@stapledtogether]

this is truly truly amazing

[@InAnInstant]

My dude!! Much love

[@guilhermedasilva1795]

I was expecting to see that one at work! Great video as always!

[@DavidAragon13]

Somedays I do miss working on the Fuji Frontier 350 at the camera lab. I did some crazy photo editing with essentially stone tools at work to make something great for the customers. I scanned slides, some medium format and a lot of APS on that machine. I didn't know you can make a direct positive from R4A paper till now. Thanks for the info!

[@InAnInstant]

Wow David that’s wild! I’m definitely going to be using this process on a smaller scale, maybe some 8x10, going forward!

[@mulatokudzava7797]

Now, THIS is photography...

[@bagnome]

They really got that figured out if they're able to develop a positive image on negative paper. I think RA-4 paper is also balanced for the orange base of C-41 film too. I dipped my toes into darkroom printing last year and thought figuring that process out was hard enough.

[@benthomas2113]

Holy cow what a camera!!! Great video man, makes me proud to share the same name👍

[@InAnInstant]

Ben’s unite!!

[@refard5]

Been following it all on instagram loving every minute of it and now this video , I love this thing! And that BW neg to colour technique is so fascinating!

[@AnaloguePT]

Well done! i have tried both 4x5 and 8x10 using Reversal RA4 but this 20x24 is quite amazing!

[@InAnInstant]

It truly is, thanks for watching!!

[@khaderahmad-abdallahllop7823]

I don't have color darkroom stuff anymore, switched to a "minimalistic" Large Format Setup but this is doable with the gear that I still have. I might try it on 5x7 (Large enough for me).

[@InAnInstant]

Hell yeah! This would be super fun to do at home.

[@bobakdota]

So cool ❤

[@marissakphotography6604]

That’s amazing. I feel bad for the M4/3 shooter who disliked this video 🤣.

[@InAnInstant]

There’s always one 😂😂😂

[@Joshua_Ott]

amazing!

[@barbaraperdigao4610]

I love how the group picture looks like a poster for a heist movie, so cool! 😆

[@InAnInstant]

Stealing hearts and minds!!

[@sheelios]

such a cool process

[@AeromaticXD]

this is so dope

[@btrdangerdan2010]

I need a 20x24 portrait for myself

[@michael_177]

yeeees yes thank you so much for making these incredible videos Edit: wow... just look at that processing method, that's gotta be one of the most exciting reveals 🤯 and one of the most fun

[@samlabella1375]

yall have incredible vibes

[@InAnInstant]

🥰🥰🥰

[@wonkylubitel5697]

Intro music began and I was instantly smitten... Great video (as always)!

[@InAnInstant]

Thanks Wonk!!!

[@heysideburns4839]

What is the intro music from? Ive heard it a million times but cant for the life of me remember what its from

[@InAnInstant]

It is by musician Isaac Joel!

[@toulcaz31]

That camera and process is like a defibrillator for those who think analog is dead 😆

[@InAnInstant]

THE ANALOG AVENGERS ASSEMBLED!! We will never stop the fight 💪

[@EdGately]

Loved the video. Thank you for sharing! who would I reach out to learn more about the holder being used?

[@InAnInstant]

Reach out to Ethan! He's the one who invented the holder, @cameradactyl on IG!

[@lostinspacestudio]

amazing! whete can we get those development plate holders?

[@Gael_AG]

Man i’m totty in love♡♡♡ i really want to try it,, build one its marvellous

[@franciscoramos8872]

The largesse of the episode is stellar! How long did you have to stand still for?

[@InAnInstant]

A couple minutes per shot, which was most challenging for the closeups because the difference between “in focus” and “out of focus” was a centimeter.

[@poorusher]

So good. It would have been good to see the loading of the paper. How many film holders are there? And this must be done in the dark, right. Great watch though.

[@InAnInstant]

The loading of the paper happens in a darkroom so we couldn’t exactly show that, but there were four holders! It was necessary as we cycled through sessions very quickly.

[@poorusher]

Appreciated

[@bluespinewood6304]

Oh hi ben long time no see! I didn't knew there where such a big formats, that's true it's been awhile when i was in polaroid hooby

[@InAnInstant]

BP! Yessir Polaroids knew no bounds in terms of size. The 40x80 camera was the size of a room basically! 20x24 was truly a dream come true to shoot.

[@IainHC1]

Man............ I've missed you Been!!!!

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

The look of wonder on Peoples faces as their own face appeared before them....

[@InAnInstant]

It was the best part, just magic!!

[@filipwaeytens4017]

developing inside this holder is really cool. Is the desgn of the holder available anywhere?

[@InAnInstant]

I believe he will be selling them at some point in the future here: www.cameradactyl.com/

[@tplyons5459]

One of the rules of thumb in portrait photography is you never make a print where the image is bigger than the actual person, your your right about a larger than life size heads

[@user-em7fy4ls9n]

great artist new photo history wonderful all 20x 24 inch ultra size all peoples God bless thank you ben next art up service

[@3Gee]

BIG shout out to Fuzz and Neil Jr for making an appearance and cementing themselves in 20x24 history!

[@InAnInstant]

They may still be drifting in the cosmos, but for a brief moment they found themselves frozen in time by a strobe from the beyond 🌙 😍

[@aramdavid]

if this happens again, I WANT AN INVITE. Amazing

[@thethedoctor100]

Developing the sheets look exactly like when u slowly regain your vision after a flashbang 😂

[@erkschadeable]

I have watched this so many times, love it! only question I have is: if this is just photo paper and chemistry, why is its time running out? I dont think I understand

[@InAnInstant]

Time is not running out on the paper and chemistry! Only thing that is severely limited is the cameras capable of shooting this. The comp to POLAROID instant 20x24 film is what is truly in dire straights. The 20x24 studios of Massachusetts and Berlin are running on steam, so to speak, to keep the 20x24 instant format alive.

[@erkschadeable]

@@InAnInstant agreed! This video is so inspiring, it has put me on my own little mission of trying to make a smaller scale model. I am using the same image of a goat to do my test runs, I lovingly have all my miss prints in, what I call, the crazy goat album, it's been so much fun! Thanks for the fantastic content!

[@IainHC1]

How are you developing colour images in daylight??

[@jalo4242]

So you shot printing paper, right? Where do you get color positiv printing paper at all but also in this size??

[@emly...]

holy hecc

[@ammartaibi2623]

How much flash power are you using? I can see that you're using the Speedotron 4803 and I can spot more than one.

[@InAnInstant]

Full blast on two! It was incredibly blinding 😂

[@ammartaibi2623]

@@InAnInstant 2400 ws heads? Yeah you can hear the blast haha

[@gerryyaum]

thanks for sharing this, you gave me some ideas! Not sure the all the rarity of 20x24 cameras was on the mark (I have a 16x20, 20x24 and 35x35, many, many 20x24 cameras and photogs out there), but loved all the info on how to do color reversal images...something I have never done before..thank you for giving me this....will try doing my own in the years ahead

[@InAnInstant]

Hi Gerry! I was angling the narrative around the “instant film” concept, so that was the rarity element (where this camera was designed to use this specific back and there are very few Polaroid 20x24 cameras), but yes I should have mentioned that the format is not exclusive to that by any means.

[@SnowmansApartment]

oh wow, wouldn‘t it be possible to make a mini adapter for a polaroid 600se that utilizes that kind of process? =O

[@InAnInstant]

Yes! This process works for all formats and Ethan has made 4x5/8x10 holders as well. The 4x5 back could be adapted onto the 600SE, but there would have to be an additional 3D printed part and light seals to hold it flush onto the back.

[@SnowmansApartment]

@@InAnInstant wow just looked more into the process and geeked out a little bit :) I think it should be actually relatively possible to make an universal back to work with photographic paper and this developing process. I wanted to build a back for my GOOSE, to finally be able to use it, so maybe thats the way to go 😄👍..

[@johnfurph6243]

First! Love the vid

[@entity9742]

So basically developing a 20x24 print is similar to taking a c41 negative but developing it as a positive Interesting

[@eicas_11]

kyle the pew pew :)

[@kayla-kt1cj]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh !

[@InAnInstant]

SHEEEEEEEEEESH

[@marissakphotography6604]

For some weird reason, this is about the 5th time I watch this video….

[@InAnInstant]

I just think you might be vibing on our positive wavelength!

[@marissakphotography6604]

@@InAnInstant that’s not something you say to an electrical engineer 🤣😜. It’s probably size envy.

[@InAnInstant]

@@marissakphotography6604 😂😂😂

[@pf-studio]

This is B&W paper? or something else?

[@InAnInstant]

This is Fuji Crystal Archive paper!

[@linusgoblin]

Why not make half-ish of the bellow from plywood to make it easier to operate and more durable? Im sure theres no need for all the range.

[@Maimaimai10]

There is a cool camera called nons camera, where you can use vintage lens and shoot with instax film!

[@InAnInstant]

Indeed! That is the next video.

[@mulatokudzava7797]

Are you kidding me?

[@simonedeiana2696]

long snek camera LONG SNEK CAMERA

[@maxdoes_]

Where do you possibly go from here? End the channel? Actually go to space?

[@InAnInstant]

Max don’t think I haven’t considered it!! 🚀