God Save the Polaroid

Photo and words by Dylan

My first memory of photography was holding my grandfather’s SX-70. I was fascinated by it’s folding design and magic images that it put forth. These would be lasting memories that would shape my aesthetic views of the would including art and design and even music, as I have a taste for low-fidelity.

As a graphic designer I strive for hand-made elements in my work, nothing expresses this more than Polaroid, even more than all other film types and certainly digital. Often I have employed the use of Polaroid snap shots in my work.

I got into the arts late, although I knew it was what I wanted I sought out more conventional careers at the behest of my family. TIME WASTED. This is why I’m particularly sad to see Polaroid go. I could have had more time. It’s much like mourning the loss of a friend.

Today is February 23rd, 2008. I found out yesterday that Polaroid was to stop making their classic film. Sadly I found out on ebay while bidding on an SX-70. My grandfather’s had been lost after he died and I inherited the one step auto focus, spirit 600 and an Argus c3. I cherish all these cameras as a way of knowing a man I adored but never was able to get close to.

Today I purchased an SX-70 and a rangefinder 350.

Here’s to the uncertain future!