The End of Instant

by traskblueribbon

The consumer instant print offers a texture, tonal range, and color space unequaled and represents a unique photographic medium. These and other distinctive characteristics have inspired and been employed by countless photographic craftspersons in their work. I have come to admire these qualities and unexpected attributes as a preference for my photographic work. Without access to the variety of instant film types that are offered by Polaroid a large part of my photographic exploration will be halted. These are things that offer me great inspiration and fulfillment, not to mention instant analog gratification, which cannot be underestimated…

In the digital age, at the end of the photographic print, generations from now the family photo album will be thrown out with the PC and the SD. Polaroid represents, along with the standard film print, the physical archival of images and the tactical access to unadulterated visual information for and by the the individual. These instant moments are the things that would generally go un-archived or even un-photographed in other formats, do to the stigmatic wake of the fleeting moment. Yet years later these instant impulses become treasured artifacts representing the true nature of ourselves and those we love.

The end of the instant print will represent a further retreat of traditional photographic technique and options, in the interest of the bottom line and fleeting lower quality digital imaging. There is and will be, in the foreseeable future, a sustainable market for these instant analogue options, whether it will be tapped to the benefit of potential providers and enthusiasts remains to be seen.