There’s a reason Polaroid cameras came back down from attics and grew even more popular in the recent years than they were in the 70′s. For one, Polaroids are like black and white film: they can make anything you shoot look vaguely artistic. There’s also the instant nostalgia and gratification of seeing the old-looking photos that you took two seconds ago. Although Polaroid film is no longer available in stores, the Polaroid hobbyists have been clinging onto the remaining packages for as long as they can. I found “lost Polaroids packs” available at Urban Outfitters for 20 bucks a pack. That opens up a whole different can of worms and is a bit of a digression from what I really wanted to post about.

I use Polaroids for journaling purposes. It’s easy. Everywhere I go, I take a picture, and instead of waiting around to get it developed or printed, I have an instant and perfect-sized picture available for pasting onto notebook pages. In two days, I will be going back to the Philippines to rediscover my roots. This trip is the perfect journaling opportunity. I’m already packing my DSLR and an extra lens so I can have all sorts of photographic orgasms during the three weeks I’ll be there. But I’ve been teetering back and forth between wanting to pack the Polaroid camera and using up my remaining packs of film. The pros, in my mind outweigh the cons. It’s bulkiness makes it so inconvenient, and I’m not sure I’ll have many opportunities to bring it ALONG with the DSLR but goddammit, when else can I take polaroids of the Philippines? Right? or stupid to waste so much energy into packing this extra piece of equipment? help.

In the meantime, check out my little collage of my Polaroid past.

edit: something else to think about. Lady Gaga is the new face of Polaroid’s resurrection from the instant film cemetery. BUT it looks like we’ll be seeing more of these guys around after all! hoorah! This justifies me using up my remaining cartridges.
©Kaia Marie Balcos