STACK #186 Apr 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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INSTANT REPLAY

When inventor and scientist Edwin Land’s daughter asked him why she couldn’t see the photograph of her on holiday he had just taken, he started work on providing an answer. In 1948, he wheeled out the Polaroid Land Model 95, the world’s first instant camera. Land’s camera was expensive, limiting the market, but eventually the development process became simpler and more affordable and the phenomenon took off. In 1963, Polaroid introduced the first colour instant photographs and by the 1970s, the magic cameras were conquering the world. Social occasions all around the globe would be documented by the Polaroid; its portability and instant gratification were precursors to the digital age. Eventually the popularity of the digital camera would relegate its analogue counterpart to the retirement village. But you can’t keep a good idea down. Fujifilm would keep the fire burning, and, against all odds, instant cameras made a comeback bringing a whole new array of features with them. There’s no better tool you want at a party or a wedding. Capitalising on the trend of nostalgia that had given new life to records and even typewriters, folk are once again becoming enchanted by the charm of an instant camera. After all, it really is impossible to replace the magic of watching an image you’ve just taken slowly develop right before your eyes.

Fun Things To Do With AN Instant Camera When was the last time you printed a photo from a digital camera? Most of our memories these days are stored on a hard drive and put into a bottom drawer. There are so many great reasons for owning an instant camera – having a physical end product in your hand straight off the bat is a great experience. For those who want the instant gratification but don’t want the spontaneity, Bluetooth instant cameras enable the user to shoot a picture on a smartphone, decide whether they like it or not or play with some filters, and then print once they’re happy. But once you have a camera in hand, what can you do with it?

Panorama Now this is all too easy on your smartphone and let’s be fair – it doesn’t look that great. However, applying the same technique with an instant camera and taking three or four in a sequence delivers great results.

Gallery wall It could be an event, a party or a gradual accumulation of family life, but once collated and mounted on a wall, there really isn’t anything quite like a gallery wall of instant camera photos. And they prove to be great conversation starters!

Posters Instant cameras deliver photos with a vintage aesthetic that is all part of the charm. Do you have a favourite? Scan it and then have it printed poster-sized and then hang it on the wall and wait for all the compliments.

Portrait Collage This one, if done well, can look very arty indeed. Use six photos to make up one portrait – the effect is excellent.

52 APRIL 2020

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