Jan 7, 2009
Los Angeles, CA
There is a lot of news, blog entries and what not to catch up on when you have been in a news black out for a month, even if you are only reading the non-hard news.
There is a piece about the end of Polaroid Film in the New York Times. It was a beautiful elegy for 60 years of Polaroid magic. There is something special about not knowing, about waiting to see that image, even its only minutes more that you have wait. It is as if during those minutes, all things are suspended and there is a chance, a fractional chance that some how the images improves itself and becomes a little bit more wonderful.
The beauty of Polaroid film is in its imperfection. The uncontrolled factors of discoloration, strange rendering of colors, emulsion smudges and etc. Digital camera has replaced the instantaneous results Polaroid once offered. But our infinite abilities to control all aspects of the our imperfections takes away the magic.
I was able to find my favorite Polaroid film, T-55, for sale at a premium price of $129 USD per box of 20 Sheets. I must admit the urge to order a couple of boxes and stash it for later, until there is perfect project for it is rather strong. After all, magic like this may never be available again. To hold onto this last piece of history or not?
Yeah, I’m looking to pick up a few boxes myself.
*crossing fingers*
It's really sad. I just started photo classes at an art school, so excited about getting into a darkroom and work with film & chemicals as I did in high school…only to find out everything is digital and actually developing is a novelty.
I heard someone say that one day we might see cameras outdated and replaced by high quality video captures…and as ludicrous as it sounds, it's something to think about.
Would anyone like to share their source for the Polaroid T55? There’s got to be some sitting on the shelf somewhere!