This post is for all of you Polaroid lovers out there that yearn for the days where you could just run to Walmart and pick up a pack of film and go on your merry way. Heck, my grandmother was still using her Polaroid when affordable digital cameras came into the picture. They are nifty, make awesome robot noises, and the pictures even have their own little frame. I mean, what more could you ask for? This post is for people that want to try out the new version of film on the market that replaced Polaroid. Maybe you have a couple of Polaroids laying around or you picked up a cool one from a junk sale. This is the post for you so read on film adventurer!

I found one of the Polaroid One Step cameras in really great condition at an antique shop here on the Shore. Then Danielle bought me some of the PX-70 Film from Impossible Project for my birthday and we had a blast using it when she came down. You can check on Impossible Project’s website to see if the camera that you have is compatible with the film that they offer. The most important step when using the film is to make sure the film goes into complete darkness as soon as it shoots out of the camera. This step will make or break the success that you have with this film. I made a little bag to go out of the end of the camera out of the black bags that black and white darkroom paper comes in and some black electrical tape that I had left over from making a pinhole. You could always use black construction paper too. Yes, people might stare at your strange contraption and yes, they are very jealous of your mad photography skills. As soon as I take the picture, the exposure shoots into the dark to develop. The directions also say to keep the film upside down while it develops for a full four minutes. Never fear, you can always leave it for longer, but I wouldn’t go any shorter.

The only issue that I have had is the rollers in the camera not evenly coating the emulsion in the picture, but hey, it makes it unique. Just like a light leak in a Holga, no picture is quite the same. The website suggested squeezing the bottom of the camera as the picture comes out, but I can’t seem to do that without my fingers or hand getting in the picture. The film is in no way cheap, but who needs to eat when you have a Polaroid camera full of film! It’s worth the money as long as you pay attention to the suggestions in the directions. Yes, I said read the directions for all of you rebels out there. Make sure to check out Impossible Project’s gallery of photographers all over the world who are using this film. Feel free to ask questions, leave comments, and be inspired!

This was taken at the car show this year in Ocean City, Maryland. One of my favorite Polaroids to date!

 

 

The first Polaroid I took with my new camera! The field behind my house.

 

 

Snowball bush blooming in the front yard this summer.

 

Sunset behind the house. A little grainy, but I love it.

 

Banana tree plant leaves.

 

Another vintage car from the 2014 Ocean City, Maryland car show.