Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters
Old school photographers may remember when we all shot polaroids to test our lighting. There was something authentic about shooting a polaroid because it emphasized the nuances of an image, the imperfections, and mostly, its potential.
Yet still, the polaroid gave us a new method for producing images suitable for the fine arts arena.
Comedian Gilbert Gottfried
Although the Polaroid Corporation ceased production of their films and the materials have all but faded away, the nostalgia for “the look” remains alive and well. Students and practitioners find themselves turning back to this style as digital sucks the market dry. Perhaps this renewed interest has something to do with reclaiming some of the spontaneity and fun they had when they first started making pictures. Who knows?
Portrait Sitting
Give it a try the next time you get a little more freedom on a shoot. You don’t need a fancy camera to do this. Just your appetite for making satisfying pictures. Whether you’re using a savvy medium format polaroid back or an old relic you picked up at the thrift store, the beauty of a polaroid is indisputable. Keep the memory alive.
–PM
