I have distinct memories as a kid of taking pictures with a Polaroid instant camera. Needless to say, this was back in the days of all film cameras, absolutely no digital. Polaroid was as close as we could come to the instant gratification that you get with digital photography today. I remember taking the picture, pulling the film out of the camera and everyone huddling around to watch it develop in front of our eyes. You were the lucky if you were the one that got to hold it and shake it as it developed.
Fast forward more years that I care to discuss and I have been bitten by the Polaroid bug again. We were at a Frederick Tweetup and @jesshibb pulled out the coolest looking camera I had seen in a long time. It was her Polaroid Mio. She took a picture of the group and the film popped up from the top of the camera. I was instantly brought back to my childhood as we all huddled around to watch it develop. I was hooked.
The next time I talked to my Mom, I asked if there was any chance our Polaroid camera was still kicking around the house. Of course, the original camera is long gone, sold at a yard sale or given to Goodwill thinking no one would want that old thing any more. Yeah, it probably left the house the same day my old Atari and Commodore 64 did too, but that’s for another discussion.
I needed to know more so I went directly to my source, Jessica. She gave me all the facts I needed to know and pointed me in the direction of some good resources and online stores. I put a Mio on my birthday list and I waited… My birthday rolled around and my wonderful hubby got me a Polaroid Mio camera that I coveted so much.
The day it was dropped on my doorstep, I immediately opened it, added batteries and the film, and started to look around to see what was worthy of my first picture. Of course, Little J was happy to model for me. The best part was the look on her face when the picture popped out of the top of the camera. She ran over to see, I gave it to her to hold while it developed and she was fascinated. Film is a foreign concept to her so this “magical” instant film really interested her.
So things have come full circle in my life, I was fascinated with Polaroids as a kid, was thankfully reintroduced to them as an adult and am now able to share it with my daughter and hopefully create a new generation that won’t allow this medium die. By the way, I must tell you that Little J likes to let me know when I should use the digital camera and when I should use the Mio. Smart kid.
I have a lot to learn about photography and especially Polaroid so if you have hints for me please share as I try to improve my skills.
PS: I know, I’m lame that I don’t have a picture with this post. My scanner isn’t working to scan any Polaroids.
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