Ever wonder how photographs magically appear on Polaroid pictures? Photojojo offers a simple explanation of how the process works:
[...] your instant camera ejects the picture in between two metal rollers. The rollers pinch the chemical packets on the bottom of your film, break them open, and spread the developer chemicals all over the surface of your image. [#]
They also have some other interesting “photo science” explanations here. For a more in-depth look, check out this HowStuffWorks article on instant cameras.
Hong Kong-based camera enthusiast TM Wong has 1000+ instant cameras in his collection — possibly the world’s largest collection. That’s enough cameras to use a different one each day for nearly three years! Read more…
If you’re the proud owner of a Polaroid 600 camera (and have deep pockets), this news will be music to your ears: Impossible has launched its new PX 680 Color Shade First Flush line of color instant film to replace the popular Polaroid 600 color film that was discontinued back in 2008. In addition to Polaroid 600 cameras, the film is also compatible with SX-70 models as long as you use a neutral density filter. It seems like Impossible is getting better and better at resurrecting Polaroid films — these new sample photos look much better than the shots we saw last year of its PX100 film. Each pack contains eight shots and costs $22 from the Impossible shop.
Image credits: Photographs by Brandon Long and Patrick F. Tobin
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you haven’t gotten anything for your mom yet we think these tiny Polaroid magnets would make an awesome gift. Simply download the template, add your photos, print them out, glue them to chipboard, and attach a magnet to the back. Graphic designer Jennifer Kirk has a writeup and tutorial over on her blog Ambrosia Girl.
twine, the same store that sells the ceramic cameras we featured last week, sells these neat Polaroid-shaped beeswax candles. They give off a subtle honey scent, last for approximately 40 hours, and cost $38 a pop from the twine website.
Rather than using traditional instant film that develops on the spot, newer instant cameras are using a special ZINK technology that prints digital photos rather than exposing special paper. As more and more consumers rely solely on their mobile phones for shooting casual snapshots, perhaps the Sophie concept iPhone case is the next step in instant film’s evolution: it’s a case with a built-in printer that turns your iPhone into a Polaroid-style instant camera. What do you think of the idea?
twine sells these neat ceramic cameras that remind me of the popular Munny toy that kids can decorate. Rather than giving one of these to a photography-lovin’ friend as is, you could customize it yourself for a unique camera-related gift. The instamatic and folding Polaroid cameras are available for $34 each, while the Land camera doesn’t seem to be available anymore.
French bags designer Philippe Roucou creates limited edition silk scarves using lost Polaroid pictures that they come across. There’s three limited edition series — A, B, and C — and you can currently buy a few of the scarves from the B series on REBORN for $CAD 261.75 (~$275).
Here’s a funny prank that Canadian hidden camera show Just For Laughs Gags did involving a Polaroid camera and asking strangers to help take a picture. Pictures don’t lie, right?
