The pain and pleasures of instant photography: Polaroid edition
In the digital age, our every moment, either good or bad, can be effortlessly captured and shared using our smartphones or digital cameras. These moments are often altered (for better or worse) by editing software, often in mere seconds.
The advantages of the digital, such as duplication, deletion, and manipulation, have enticed us with its accessibility via streaming platforms and digital services, thus the thought of using older technologies would seem inconvenient. Nobody (excluding retro enthusiasts!) would watch movies on Betamax tape instead of using Netflix or Amazon Prime, for example. However, when it comes to photography, the whole process of capturing dear memories and the most significant moments becomes more intricate. You might want something that you can hold in your hand, show to your friends in a cafe, or either hang on a wall or put in an album. Something physical and “analog”, the polar opposite of digital.
That’s where instant photography comes in. And it’s painful.
For starters, it’s a discouragingly expensive hobby, if you’re opting for Polaroid instant cameras. First, you have to acquire an instant camera, which, depending on your choice, can range from 50 EUR (second-hand) to two or three hundred. And that’s assuming that it works properly. Also, that’s not including a film shield, an electronic flash, and a lens kit if you’re using a vintage foldable camera such as Polaroid SX-70. And once you have a camera, you need film, which can be purchased for around 15 — 20 EUR a pack — 8 photos in a single film pack. That’s 8 chances to capture a moment, a landscape, or a person that you’re going to remember forever.
The film not only is expensive, but has to be stored in a refrigerator, used at optimal temperatures, and has an expiration date. If you use an expired film pack, the results may be unsatisfactory. When taking a picture, you have to get the exposure, framing, and stability just right. Once the photo is taken, you need to shield it from light, be careful not to shake or bend the picture, and after 15 minutes, cautiously look at the result, hoping for the best. And typically, you’ll get it right only 3 out of 8 times, if you’re a beginner. With such a cumbersome process and expensive equipment in mind, why even bother with instant photography?
That’s where the pleasures of instant photography come in.
Thanks to the efforts of the folks at Impossible Project and the newly formed Polaroid (after the original company’s bankruptcy), this long-forgotten photography medium has been reborn, with new styles and “flavors” for self-expression. If you’re a fan of Star Wars or Stranger Things, you can use the respective film packs with their own unique photo frames, and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try out one of the duo-chrome packs that either produce yellow, blue, or green duo-chrome photos. The variety of film packs is impressive on its own, with Polaroid still releasing new variations as of September 2022, an example being the Metallic Spectrum Edition film packs.
Using a vintage camera is even more satisfactory, knowing that a device manufactured more than 40 years ago is still kicking, and produces fantastic photos. The Polaroid SX-70 Sonar Autofocus camera, for example, still amazes me due to its sonar capabilities, focusing the viewfinder to the closest subject in a fraction of a second. Although Polaroid manufactures new and modernized instant cameras, such as Polaroid Now and Polaroid Go (which are still fine variants for instant photography), the magic seems to be the strongest when holding something that feels truly vintage, and almost premium due to its metallic appearance, weight, folding design and single lens reflex system.
Taking an instant photo is incomparable to taking a simple digital photo with your smartphone. Every photo you take, even if you photograph the same subject, will be unique due to the chemistry in the film, proving a different result each time. The satisfaction of holding the photo in your hand mere seconds after taking it is unmatched, and the joy of seeing it develop in real-time with a friend is always exciting. Showing a stranger how the whole process works, and giving them their own picture is always satisfying. If a limited edition film pack is used, it’s always exciting to see what frame the photo has once ejected. And when it by pure chance matches up with what’s been photographed, it’s always a rewarding moment. Capturing a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment on a real, physical photo is a feat that you can be proud of. Finally, if you’re up for a challenge and a truly unique photo, the double exposure technique will provide a truly stunning result.
In conclusion, even though it’s an expensive hobby (especially if you’re not careful, or a beginner, or both) and has quite a steep learning curve, there’s just something to it that can be highly appreciated. And while it may become obsolete again, as it once was after the original Polaroid company went bankrupt and film packs were not produced, at this moment, it’s an irreplaceable way to cherish your memories for years to come.
Disclaimer: This article was not endorsed by Polaroid, and is simply for informative purposes.