My 70th Year
A year of living instantly — a Polaroid per day
John Haugaard
August 13, 2023 through August 12, 2024
I built this site by posting a Polaroid photograph taken each day. Rarely was it art and often it was mundane. But it was daily challenge that was met. Polaroid film (and cameras) are be challenging. When Polaroid, itself, uses the tagline "For the Imperfectionists" on their site I expected (and had) a wild ride. Here are the results. 366 Polaroid images (It was a leap year). My 70th Year.
August 2023
August 13, 2023
I told Trish, "Don't smile for this one." Of course, the Polaroid gods made this the most usable image. The year begins.
August 14, 2023
Parked or abandoned?
August 15, 2023
Disarm you with a smile.
August 16, 2023
Friends we miss.
August 17, 2023
August 18, 2023
Alway proper and neat flags on this grave of a young Marine Corps lieutenant, who died in Vietnam more than fifty years ago.
August 19, 2023
Band saw with a message.
August 20, 2023
All you need is . . .
August 21, 2023
Waffle House Museum, evening light. Yes, they have a museum. Site of the very first Waffle House.
August 22, 2023
August 23, 2023
Little Pink Houses. I walk down a street I used to live on and see houses like this. But I don’t think they’ll be around for long. They’ll be scraped away and replaced with much larger houses, shoe-horned on the lots. And likely not pink.
August 24, 2023
Stone Lion. Also, a blue house.
August 25, 2023
August 26, 2023
Complementary Colors.
August 27, 2023
Horizontals, verticals, and diagonals, oh my.
August 28, 2023
Both Sides Now. East facing side of the sign in morning light.
August 29, 2023
pulling out of here to win.
August 30, 2023
That umbrella, we employed it. Hat tip to Graham Nash and The Hollies. Around 1979 Nash gave the gift of a Polaroid SX-70 camera to his friend André Kertész, a giant of 20th century photography. Kertész, then in his 80s, was inspired, and for the next 6 years he made more beautiful art.
August 31, 2023
All in all, it was all just bricks in the wall.
September 2023
September 1, 2023
Update - October 11th. Drove by this site today and the building, along with a half-dozen surrounding were flattened. On to the next development.
September 2, 2023
From a mural by Killamari.
September 3, 2023
September 4, 2023
September 5, 2023
September 6, 2023
September 7, 2023
September 8, 2023
September 9, 2023
Flora and fauna on brick. From a mural by Yehimi Cabrón.
September 10, 2023
September 11, 2023
September 12, 2023
September 13, 2023
September 14, 2023
Ohh nooo!
September 15, 2023
September 16, 2023
September 17, 2023
Now, on to find No. 41.
September 18, 2023
Ford, yellow. See September 5th posting.
September 19, 2023
A joke between friends. But, don't crack up.
September 20, 2023
You have to appreciate a duck who wears a hat with such style.
September 21, 2023
Haunted? Nope, just under construction.
September 22, 2023
Friendly little library.
September 23, 2023
The upper left "decoration" shows that Polaroids are unpredictable.
September 24, 2023
A clean, well-lighted place.
September 25, 2023
Road Trip - Rest Stop.
September 26, 2023
In Nebraska - where Godfather's Pizza started. But not started at this location.
September 27, 2023
Born in the USA.
September 28, 2023
Columbus, Nebraska. The City of Power and Progress. In the 1930s a diversion canal was dug from the Loup River for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The second, and largest, power generating plant is located at Columbus. In the 1930s, in the midst of the Great Depression, they designed and constructed functional buildings that showed character.
September 29, 2023
Columbus, Nebraska - City of Power and Progress.
September 30, 2023
I’ve driven by this unique building for 47 years as I’ve visited Columbus, Nebraska. The entire roof of this large manufacturing building comprises these mogul-like domes. A photography teacher told me that if you see something that interests you photograph it NOW. It might not be there later. There is a For Sale sign on this building, and there is a chance that the next time I’m in town it will be gone. But, I photographed it today.
October 2023
October 1, 2023
Horizontal bands of color.
October 2, 2023
Lake Life.
October 3, 2023
Long lost sister. See September 23, 2023 and August 15, 2023.
October 4, 2023
A cascade of autumn.
October 5, 2023
A welcome sight after a long, rainy day on the road. But, still 300 miles from home.
October 6, 2023
Last day on the road begins.
October 7, 2023
Seahorses in the cemetery.
October 8, 2023
Beauty on bricks. From a mural by Yehimi Cabrón.
October 9, 2023
A recently closed barbecue stand - so maybe not.
October 10, 2023
October 11, 2023
Flat tire. But as my mother would add with a smile, "it's only flat on the bottom." 60 days into the project. A good start. 306 days remain. (2024 is a leap year.)
October 12, 2023
Spinnin' wheel got to go 'round.
October 13, 2023
Another round thing.
October 14, 2023
One last round thing. (For now.)
October 15, 2023
Portrait of a disheveled tractor.
October 16, 2023
A distinctive building in our town. Tried hard to get a good exposure, but the Polaroid gods were pushing back.
October 17, 2023
Now, that's better.
October 18, 2023
$1 fine!
October 19, 2023
Slight breeze.
October 20, 2023
Final preparations.
October 21, 2023
October 22, 2023
October 23, 2023
An uncommon sight this morning on our city, residential street.
October 24, 2023
Will it hold?
October 25, 2023
Embraced.
October 26, 2023
Tanks. Tennessee River. Knoxville.
October 27, 2023
Pool Puddles.
October 28, 2023
German Village. Columbus, Ohio.
October 29, 2023
October 30, 2023
Back home after last road trip of the season.
October 31, 2023
Arches and shadows.
November 2023
November 1, 2023
November 2, 2023
Conduits.
November 3, 2023
Entry to an abandoned anchor store at a formerly thriving shopping mall. Just a matter of time before this building is knocked down.
November 4, 2023
November 5, 2023
HEE must to be around somewhere. (A dad joke that will resonate if you remember Grandpa Jones and Buck Owens or Sam Wainwright and George Bailey.)
November 6, 2023
November 7, 2023
Pull to Start. Push to Stop. Yes, another round thing.
November 8, 2023
Back again to the seahorses in the cemetery. A difficult scene to capture (for me) on the Polaroid.
November 9, 2023
One way. After struggling yesterday to get a good exposure, I found my composition today and nailed a pleasing exposure on the first shot. From a mural by Yehimi Cabrón.
November 10, 2023
November 11, 2023
November 12, 2023
Bluebird houses. Twenty years ago we just didn't see bluebirds. Now they are plentiful. This area of a park has dozens of bluebird housed. I noticed that they were all oriented similarly. There's a reason. It is best if the opening faces the east - away from the prevailing wind.
November 13, 2023
November 14, 2023
Tough day with the Polaroid. The best that I got.
November 15, 2023
November 16, 2023
November 17, 2023
You might think that with all the boarded up and derelict buildings I show that I live in a run down area. To the contrary. This is just a temporary stage until the site can be scraped clean for something bigger, shinier, and "better."
November 18, 2023
November 19, 2023
Paint Love. A great idea. (Also, something round.)
November 20, 2023
A numbers day. Is this a tribute to Atlanta and MLB legend Hank Aaron? Nope, just an address. But, on the subject of numbers, today's is the 100th post. Yay! 266 to go.
November 21, 2023
Yesterday, for the 100th post I searched high and low for an image of a "100". Today I got out of the car, walked 50 feet, and saw this.
November 22, 2023
November 23, 2023
Happy Thanksgiving.
November 24, 2023
Pleasant looking fellow.
November 25, 2023
Flying (and jet trails).
November 26, 2023
November 27, 2023
Any day now this nearly empty mall will be fenced off for demolition. So, a few more while I can.
November 28, 2023
(Very) Still life with two small trees.
November 29, 2023
Bands of color (and some really sub-par graffiti).
November 30, 2023
December 2023
December 1, 2023
Long may it wave.
December 2, 2023
December 3, 2023
Taking a break.
December 4, 2023
December 5, 2023
December 6, 2023
Support your local police department. Year after year.
December 7, 2023
December 8, 2023
December 9, 2023
December 10, 2023
December 11, 2023
Trying a double exposure.
December 12, 2023
December 13, 2023
A facade, soon to be gone.
December 14, 2023
An ancient Roman aqueduct? Nope.
December 15, 2023
December 16, 2023
Receding.
December 17, 2023
Updated view of scenes shown on August 13, September 1, and September 13.
December 18, 2023
An unbroken window on the dying, mostly abandoned shopping mall.
December 19, 2023
December 20, 2023
Bird ghosts.
December 21, 2023
December 22, 2023
Number one in my life.
December 23, 2023
Despite the grimace, I'm typically a pretty happy looking guy. The photo I'm holding - see December 22, 2023.
December 24, 2023
December 25, 2023
Merry Christmas!
December 26, 2023
Splash of red.
December 27, 2023
From a mural by Wade Harrison, Corey Barksdale & Chad Watt.
December 28, 2023
From a mural by Wade Harrison, Corey Barksdale & Chad Watt.
December 29, 2023
December 30, 2023
December 31, 2023
January 2024
January 1, 2024
I made a photo of a wall poster at a local record store on December 28. When I got serious about the photo I noticed the amazing Dizzy Gillespie cut off at the bottom. Dizzy deserves a proper image. From a mural by Wade Harrison, Corey Barksdale & Chad Watt.
January 2, 2024
January 3, 2024
My robot buddies, with some holiday lighting.
January 4, 2024
I'm drawn back to this house. Not certain that I've captured it to my satisfaction yet. Given its location, and its condition I don't expect it to be around for long.
January 5, 2024
January 6, 2024
Two special guys.
January 7, 2024
Well, this didn't turn out as planned, but a moderately happy accident.
January 8, 2024
Tried to improve on the January 5 image - not so sure.
January 9, 2024
The merest sliver of sunlight on this very cloudy, windy, and rainy day. 150th consecutive Polaroid day, I think.
January 10, 2024
Thought I'd give this another go. A bigger challenge than I expected.
January 11, 2024
January 12, 2024
January 13, 2024
Cryptic. Creepy.
January 14, 2024
Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery.
January 15, 2024
January 16, 2024
Signs, signs, everywhere a sign.
January 17, 2024
January 18, 2024
"Ladies and gentlemen, The Doors," said Ed Sullivan - only once.
January 19, 2024
Yes, Twice the Ice - another view.
January 20, 2024
Decaying mall graffiti diptych - right.
January 21, 2024
Decaying mall graffiti diptych - left.
January 22, 2024
January 23, 2024
January 24, 2024
Reach out and touch somebody's hand, make this world a better place, if you can!
January 25, 2024
Tough day for a photo. Every photo I took looked like it was taken through a mud puddle.
January 26, 2024
A mural by Maremoto.
January 27, 2024
Yes, something round again.
January 28, 2024
From a mural by Maremoto.
January 29, 2024
January 30, 2024
January 31, 2024
February 2024
February 1, 2024
February 2, 2024
119 fewer gas pumps than at the Buc-ees up the road.
February 3, 2024
I'm pretty sure that this neighborhood library box is straight, but I'm a bit concerned that the house behind it is tipping over.
February 4, 2024
February 5, 2024
Busy bees. Flour and eggs in. Cake out.
February 6, 2024
February 7, 2024
Sort of a happy accident. The compressed range of Polaroid film makes sky exposures tough. I tried to adjust appropriately, but ended up overexposing. Interesting look, though.
February 8, 2024
This camera belonged to Trish's great-grandfather, Jack.
February 9, 2024
Three wise men.
February 10, 2024
Under construction. Unfortunately the photograph doesn't show the incredibly shiny foil covering. Awaiting siding.
February 11, 2024
Well, this being the 183rd Polaroid, I'm half way through this leap year augmented one year project. Working like a "house-afire" to keep the pace.
February 12, 2024
Eight of clubs.
February 13, 2024
Nine of hearts.
February 14, 2024
A local independent bookstore keeps this sidewalk display available 24/7. Pay on the honor system.
February 15, 2024
February 16, 2024
February 17, 2024
From a mural by Maremoto.
February 18, 2024
The sky says, "Spring, maybe?" The tree says, "Not so fast."
February 19, 2024
If you figure out the symbolism, let me know. From a mural by Ever Siempre.
February 20, 2024
Class picture.
February 21, 2024
February 22, 2024
February 23, 2024
From a mural by Yehimi Cabrón.
February 24, 2024
February 25, 2024
February 26, 2024
February 27, 2024
From a mural by Tim Short.
February 28, 2024
200th day! A mini tribute to the ATL. This is the 200th posting of a Polaroid image taken each day. Glad to have kept the string going. 166 more.
February 29, 2024
Bonus day.
March 2024
March 1, 2024
Arrows.
March 2, 2024
March 3, 2024
March 4, 2024
"Atlanta" Or so says the sign above the porch.
March 5, 2024
Quite a ride. Comes equipped with front handles.
March 6, 2024
Peek-a-bus.
March 7, 2024
What a red truck looks like in black and white. See March 2.
March 8, 2024
Street-side still life.
March 9, 2024
Custom Cab; Picket Fence.
March 10, 2024
Most of these utility boxes in town show artwork - not graffiti. So planned, I guess.
March 11, 2024
Wall art. Man-bear(?)
March 12, 2024
One shoe off, . . . .
March 13, 2024
This is probably the fourth time this broken sculpture/birdbath has appeared. First time in color. I'm intrigued by it, and it is difficult to photograph well on Polaroid film. But, I'm getting there.
March 14, 2024
March 15, 2024
Whoops.
March 16, 2024
All you need is more love. See August 20th. From a mural by Margo Perkins.
March 17, 2024
March 18, 2024
"E" From a mural by Margo Perkins.
March 19, 2024
From a mural by Kashink.
March 20, 2024
Different day. Different light. Different hand. From a mural by Kashink.
March 21, 2024
Its best days are in the rear view mirror.
March 22, 2024
March 23, 2024
I drove by a business near my home that sells old millstones. Go figure. The photo doesn't help much with scale (the fence is a clue). While this may look like an amulet that dangles on a leather cord around the neck of a Renaissance Festival type, this stone is about 5 feet in diameter and a foot thick. They are stored outside the fence because the theft risk is pretty low. millstones.com
March 24, 2024
March 25, 2024
March 26, 2024
Mural on Leaven Kitchen - a collaborative shared kitchen focusing on baked goods. You can see what I saw, but can't smell the wondrous aroma of the baking going on inside. leavenkitchen.com
March 27, 2024
Yup.
March 28, 2024
Ten fingers, one hand.
March 29, 2024
Visited again for different composition, different light, and in color.
March 30, 2024
These guys stopped by. I am so glad we share a name and the love of goofing off a bit.
March 31, 2024
Ten fingers, one hand (revisited) for a better exposure.
April 2024
April 1, 2024
Almost silhouette.
April 2, 2024
Collection of triangles.
April 3, 2024
Tall thing and clouds.
April 4, 2024
More tall things and clouds.
April 5, 2024
Finally, some relief.
April 6, 2024
April 7, 2024
Rightmost panel of large wall mural by Tim Short.
April 8, 2024
Basking in the post-eclipse sun. This fellow shows up again on February 27th. Different day, different look. Second panel of large wall mural by Tim Short.
April 9, 2024
Third panel of large wall mural by Tim Short.
April 10, 2024
Leftmost panel of large wall mural by Tim Short.
April 11, 2024
Descriptive information about the mural. Oddly, the posted description includes an error in the title, calling it Earthdeed whereas the correct title of the mural is Earthseed by artist Tim Short.
April 12, 2024
April 13, 2024
April 14, 2024
A couple photographing their flower-sunglass-wearing dog. (A sentence I've never had the opportunity to type before.)
April 15, 2024
April 16, 2024
curves.
April 17, 2024
Lines and . . .
April 18, 2024
Spotted this sign about 200 days ago. Perfect for the 250th consecutive Polaroid post! 116 to go. (But, who's counting.)
April 19, 2024
Morning in America. Exit 110, Lexington, Kentucky.
April 20, 2024
April 21, 2024
See no evil.
April 22, 2024
Just a wild and crazy guy.
April 23, 2024
Okay, I'll try.
April 24, 2024
Trapped!
April 25, 2024
A little Run-DMC/Aerosmith for the senior citizen crowd.
April 26, 2024
This little ice building intrigues me, and I'm back for another try. Pretty good result today.
April 27, 2024
After a long day cleaning around the house, with light fading, I went back to a scene I know well. Different day, different light, different film.
April 28, 2024
Quonset with style. See October 1 for a simpler look.
April 29, 2024
Hummingbird metamorphosis. From a mural by Thomas Turner.
April 30, 2024
From a mural by Thomas Turner.
May 2024
May 1, 2024
Let's Eat Good Food. Yes.
May 2, 2024
Curbside tableau.
May 3, 2024
I came upon a short, nearby street on which I counted more than a half-dozen churches. This tidy gray one, Zo Immanuel Church, Inc., appears to serve a number of Burmese (Myanma) congregants.
May 4, 2024
A beautiful, simple statue in Oakland Cemetery. Maybe you were expecting a Star Wars joke. I guess I'm not of that tribe.
May 5, 2024
A classic Southern wall sign on the building of a landmark Atlanta tavern.
May 6, 2024
May 7, 2024
Turnin 'n' Burnin.
May 8, 2024
May 9, 2024
From a mural by Thomas Turner.
May 10, 2024
May 11, 2024
Last shot in the Polaroid pack. Really just a grab shot. Liked it best of the eight Polaroids I took this day.
May 12, 2024
I thought I could do a bit better. So back on another day with black and white film and a little better attention to composition.
May 13, 2024
Strike. Trompe-l'œil of a sort.
May 14, 2024
Plants galore. Alice in Wonderland exhibit. Atlanta Botanical Garden.
May 15, 2024
May 16, 2024
May 17, 2024
Horizontal bands and a few trees.
May 18, 2024
May 19, 2024
Convergence.
May 20, 2024
May 21, 2024
May 22, 2024
May 23, 2024
May 24, 2024
May 25, 2024
Still life. Shadows. Mask.
May 26, 2024
From a mural by angelabondart.com.
May 27, 2024
May 28, 2024
May 29, 2024
May 30, 2024
May 31, 2024
Cosmic cat. From a mural by angelabondart.com. Okay - these will be better in color. Heading back with a color film in the camera.
June 2024
June 1, 2024
A memorial still. See August 18, 2023. Someone keeps new flags on this tomb of a young Marine Corps lieutenant who died for his country 53 years ago.
June 2, 2024
Basket balls.
June 3, 2024
Try harder to hold the camera straight.
June 4, 2024
June 5, 2024
When people cared enough to make an interesting water faucet handle.
June 6, 2024
Color is definitely better. Scouting trip tells me that about 7:30 pm in the coming days will be best. From a mural by angelabondart.com.
June 7, 2024
Okay, enough with the cats. Still could be better. From a mural by angelabondart.com. 300th day.
June 8, 2024
Dappled sunlight.
June 9, 2024
I think he spotted me.
June 10, 2024
Generally well behaved.
June 11, 2024
A better exposure than on the day before yesterday. He was worth another visit.
June 12, 2024
Upholding histories and narratives.
June 13, 2024
Happy accident. Overexposed, but came out in an interesting way.
June 14, 2024
Perhaps the last shot by me of this abandoned shopping mall. I thought that when I went there today I would find rubble. But not yet. I was fenced out, though. Demolition day is June 26th. When this mall opened in 1965 it was the first fully-enclosed shopping mall in metro Atlanta.
June 15, 2024
Motors and more motors. Actually compressors for industrial cooling systems. I've driven by this business hundreds of times. Finally stopped for a photo (through the chain link fence) and looked them up. American Hermetics. What this photo shows is just a small fraction of the compressor motors stored there.
June 16, 2024
June 17, 2024
June 18, 2024
June 19, 2024
June 20, 2024
June 21, 2024
Sheddon.
June 22, 2024
Likely better in color. Had just loaded a new black and white pack, so gave it a go. Maybe back another day.
June 23, 2024
Went out with a different photo opportunity in mind. Spotted this along the way. Another happy accident.
June 24, 2024
Over-bright colors in horizontal bands.
June 25, 2024
Politically incorrect? Insensitive? Do the P.E. programs at the local elementary school need to be improved? Likely just useful information for the drivers on our quiet streets.
June 26, 2024
Blondie on a hot day. From a mural on the side of a record shop. Polaroid film does best at temperatures below 80 degrees. My "car"mometer told me it was about 20 degrees warmer than that. The prints tend toward yellow when too hot. (This is on black & white.) You can see this effect on June 24 - color film, beastly hot. From a mural by Wade Harrison, Corey Barksdale & Chad Watt.
June 27, 2024
Evening sun. 20 degrees cooler than yesterday. Film behaved better.
June 28, 2024
Barbra says . . . ! From a mural by Wade Harrison, Corey Barksdale & Chad Watt.
June 29, 2024
June 30, 2024
Cockpit view (exterior) of the Travco Two-Twenty. Cleared for takeoff.
July 2024
July 1, 2024
July 2, 2024
July 3, 2024
Moody.
July 4, 2024
“I believe that you heard your master sing When I was sick in bed I suppose that he told you everything That I keep locked away in my head” Wonderfully cryptic wall art found on a nearby pizza restaurant. Sincerely, L. Cohen. Art by Ashley Anderson; pressstarttobegin.net
July 5, 2024
Some days I go out with a particular photo in mind. (See July 4 or July 6.) Other times, it is just a matter of keeping my eyes open. Walking home from the tire repair shop, rain had just stopped, the light was perfect.
July 6, 2024
July 7, 2024
Found this sign a couple months ago. Photographed it in black and white. Thought it might look good in color. Oh, well.
July 8, 2024
Two-toned Tow Away Zone.
July 9, 2024
More local street art. Not sure what is going on here. Artists: Foxy Swine (An artist cooperative, I believe, and not one curiously named person.)
July 10, 2024
Hot lava flows across volcanic sand beach. Well, maybe not.
July 11, 2024
Cups, cups, cups.
July 12, 2024
Boring day of appointments and parking garages.
July 13, 2024
Too hot. Yellow cast. Thanks Polaroid. I take the photos, hustle to the car, and hold them in front of the air conditioner vents (to no avail).
July 14, 2024
The Blair. A beautiful building in my town.
July 15, 2024
One of the most photographed scenes this year, oddly, is a little self-service ice vending facility that I pass many times a week. (1/5, 1/8, 1/19 & 4/26). Drove by today - gone! Just posts and concrete blocks. So it goes.
July 16, 2024
Black and white photo of the building also photographed on July 14, 2024.
July 17, 2024
July 18, 2024
No $5.99 Meal Deal today.
July 19, 2024
Empty sign, levitating (?)
July 20, 2024
July 21, 2024
July 22, 2024
Desperado.
July 23, 2024
July 24, 2024
A local legend. No, simply a Legend.
July 25, 2024
July 25. 2024.
July 26, 2024
July 27, 2024
In the studio. A great afternoon making images.
July 28, 2024
July 29, 2024
Engulfed.
July 30, 2024
July 31, 2024
Aire Libre. ✊
August 2024
August 1, 2024
August 2, 2024
I photographed a number of churches along the way on the project. (See August 1, e.g.) They are typically architecturally interesting. But here's a reminder that they come in all shapes and sizes.
August 3, 2024
Guard rail marketing.
August 4, 2024
Come sail away. In the distant sky above the building there were amazing towers of billowing white clouds. You'll have to take my word on this. (Thanks Polaroid, for the limited dynamic range of your film. 🫤)
August 5, 2024
Renegades.
August 6, 2024
A Father and Son Reunion.
August 7, 2024
August 8, 2024
During this project I included quite a few photographs of the derelict shopping mall near my home. One last project visit today. Mostly ruble. Progress.
August 9, 2024
Disarmed. I found and photographed this statue on day 3 of the project. Hoping to finish the year with a better image. Maybe succeeded. She has a shadow!
August 10, 2024
Always a great day when this fellow comes to visit.
August 11, 2024
Penultimate photo of the project. From a mural by Danae Antoine. @danae__antoine
August 12, 2024
The year ends as it began. The project complete. One of the photos taken each day posted here. Taken using finicky Polaroid cameras and film. 366 posted from the well-over-1,000 taken. The project, My 70th Year, did just what I hoped it would - I'm inspired to take more photographs.