Instant Film

My sister had some Polaroid cameras when we were younger. I don’t think I ever used them but I was aware of their presence in the house. I’m difficult to impress when it comes to technology so at the time I don’t remember being overly excited when the pictures came out and you could watch them develop in front of your eyes.

However. Now that I have been developing and printing my own 35mm photographs at home and I understand the process’ involved I’m figuratively stunned at the science and technology involved with instant film. The process of developing 35mm film takes me, and most others, around 30 minutes with temperature-controlled water, bottles of chemicals, and my actual kitchen sink.

Polaroid developed a process that does it all in a split second and then prints the picture in less time than it takes me to turn my computer on. I hope everyone one day appreciates this. Because it’s mind-blowing.

So basically I’m a Polaroid fanboy. And I will spend all my money on film which is £18 for a pack of 8 photographs. That’s £2.25 each for those still counting.

Annoyingly, sometimes the photographs don’t turn out well. Even more annoyingly there seems to be no way of know if the photo is going to turn out well before you take it. One trick I’ve been doing to try and get consistent colours and brightness to my photographs is standing closer than I normally would to the person in order to give the flash half a chance of taking control of the scene.

Instant film is fun and I like using it for taking photographs of fun things. I just wish it was cheaper.