The year of the Polaroid

I can't believe they've stopped production on Polaroid film. I know this is old news but honestly, it's like they've cancelled Christmas - i am having such a love affair with my SX-70 at the moment. This morning, when i should have been getting on with my terryfyingly long to-do list, i was out the door straight after breakfast, to walk through the falling leaves and golden sunshine in Victoria Park. The only people about were the joggers, the dog walkers and me, pointing her cameras at random sections of undergrowth. As well as the Polaroid, i had my new baby hanging around my neck, and let me tell you, Hasselblads are not light! My neck and shoulders are still aching this evening, but my god it was worth it. The two most heavenly sounds in the world are the satisfying clunk of the Hassy's shutter, and the click-whirrrrr of the SX-70.

It's been Fall Roid Week 2008 over on Flickr this week and there have been some fabulous images posted to the group pool. Some favourites:

1. Roid Week Selfie, 2. Untitled, 3. leggy, 4. Untitled, 5. regency, 6. my spring, 7. Untitled, 8. Untitled, 9. Roid Week: Thursday

And do check out these links for some more pola-lovin':

Save Polaroid
Polanoir
A Home for Alice
Polanoid
Supercapacity's pola-diptychs
Heather Champ's Polaroid 366
Filmmaker Jamie Livingston snapped a Polaroid every day for 18 years, right up until the day he died - the online archive is here, and you can read more about Jamie and his incredible project here.

Comments

[bella]

It's really a shame that they don't make the polaroid film anymore. I love my little cam.. but buying the film is heavy on the pocket.
Have a good weekend sweetie. xo

[Neil]

To be honest, I'm surprised that Polaroid has survived for so long. But yes, it is sad.

[Denise]

There is always ebay! The film will soon become a collectors item I bet! I always wanted a polaroid camera when I was a teenager but it all seemed expensive, and now I've missed out on the chance completely :(

[Sharon]

I do so enjoy your site. I too am sadden by polaroid stopping production of its film.

Have you ever taken a polaroid picture and as it's developing started to draw on it, with a back end of a pen or and dull object. The designs are a real treat. It's always fun to explore the creative side.

[darlene]

i was thrilled when hubs got me my sx-70 some four years ago and then devastated when they did away with the time zero film and then happy to modify my sx-70 to take 600 film and now devastated all over again :( its been a bit of a roller coaster ride with the polaroid ... i must confess that i have been hoarding the last of my film scared to use it because i haven't been able to find anymore here and i paid a ridiculous price for my last package of film ...

i heart your polaroids, heart heart!!

mmmm hasselblad :) we are attempting to build a darkroom in our basement over the winter ~ am excited!! :)

[mccabe]

you are so pretty.
i like seeing photos of you.
:)

xoxo

[amber]

Look at you. Beautiful.

:)

[Rhiannon]

What a fabulous polaroidy post :) A real tonic :)

When the news came about the END of the film I had a real block for a while. My "playtime" film became something I had to consider more seriously. For each shot I had to ask myself - did I really want to take it ? Somehow I turned a corner and decided to celebrate with every shot I take now. I have still a small amount of "real" TZ - though it behaves in a very flakey way. Some of the "new old" film and a stash of 600. I treat myself to an extra packet of 600 whenever I can - with one of those ND filters over the film the results are great.

Look forward to following your collaboration with Alicia Bock too - her work has a lovely mood to it.

[Jennifer]

If you like Polaroid pics you have to check out the blog Momster at http://irenenam.squarespace.com/journal/

She blows my mind.