My Love of Polaroid

Photo and words by Elinor

I am posting this photograph, a rare (and I do mean most rate) photo of myself, to be included in the campaign to save Polaroid films from extinction.

When I first shot with Time-Zero, it was if I had for the very first time found my voice. I had prior been a poet without a verse. This film along with my beloved and favorite SX-70 allowed me to work with and observe light in ways I had never done. Its dynamic palette continues to influence my vision even when I am working with digital files. I even gave nicknames to this film that I so love… Positive Magic & Painted Light. The sad irony for my personal story is that the more proficient I become at using this film, the farther from reach it becomes… deteriorating before my eyes even. Though the effects are sometimes strangely marvelous, they always imply the sad fact that expired in the world of Time-Zero means almost gone.

My love of Polaroid photography grew, and I began experimenting with other flavors of Polaroid, though too late, for I will never have the opportunity to work with many of them.

It’s hard for me to imagine a life as a photographer in which I can’t shoot Polaroid. I hope our efforts will succeed in persuading someone to carry forward an art form that is dying too soon. Also, it should be mentioned that is it slightly odd that the manufacture of these films should cease during a Polaroid and Toy Camera revival!