Polaroids!
One day in 2012 I read a random blog post about a Dutch company called The Impossible Project was creating new film for Polaroid instant cameras, because Polaroid themselves had discontinued their official film. I thought it was a pretty neat article, but otherwise went about my day as normal.
The very next day, I went to a flea market and randomly came across a Polaroid Spirit 600 for $5. I bought the camera for fun and put in an order for some new film from that Dutch company. Since then, Polaroids have become my favorite way to take pictures of things.
I like Polaroids because, honestly, I'm not that good of a photographer. But Polaroid photos have such an iconic look to them, even 'bad' Polaroids turn out looking really interesting. The blurs, the washed out colors, the weird tints, even the emulsion and roller errors lead to some really cool stuff. Here are a few of my favorite Polaroid pictures from over the years.






















My Polaroid cameras
- OneStep 600/Spirit 600
My early go-tos. My first Spirit 600 is probably nearest and dearest to my heart. - OneStep Flash
- SX-70
I love this camera, but using it makes me anxious! This camera is over 50 years old now and it takes a little bit of effort to expand/fold it shut. - OneStep Express
When it comes to consumer electronics, I prefer blocky to bubbly. Not of of my favorites, but it's not the camera's fault. - Land Camera Automatic 100
Got at a thrift store untested. I couldn't even test it if I wanted to, this camera requires a type of battery they don't even make anymore! But it's a neat little piece of history and it sits on my shelf, the elder statesmen of my Polaroids. - OneStep 2
When Impossible bought Polaroid and became the modern Polaroid we know today, I was actually kind of wary. Especially when they announced a new camera. But I got one anyway and it's become my new go-to camera. Mostly because the film is available at every Target and Walmart around, making it very easy to swing by the store, grab some film, and go out there. - PolaroidNow
The "dumbed down" version of the OneStep 2. I'll be honest, I mostly got this to add to my collection more than its ability to take photos. - Polaroid Lab
This is kind of a weird one. Basically it's a "camera" you set your phone on and it takes pictures of whatever's on the screen. Good for turning digital photos into Polaroids. I don't use this a lot because relying on it kind of goes against the spirit of Polaroid/analog photography for me. But that being said, there are some times where I find myself in the perfect spot for a cool Polaroid, and me without my camera. Or sometimes I run out of film at the worst moment. I'm glad I have the Lab for moments like this, even if it's "cheating".