8.29.2008

konichiwa bitches

Everyone loves Polaroids. They're quick and fun, and their imperfections are half the charm. So I was searching the Polaroid website, trying to figure out how to use my Polaroid Land Camera, when I came across the latest addition to the Polaroid family. Apparently, the PoGo was introduced around the time Polaroid announced they were stopping production of all instant film, an implication that the PoGo would replace the old instant cameras. 



















The Land Camera I have.

First, I should say what the PoGo is. It's a portable printer a little larger than an iPhone that instantly prints 2"x3" photos from your camera or bluetooth phone. The technology it uses doesn't require ink, so all you ever have to buy (other than the printer) is paper. 

I have mixed feelings about this pseudo Polaroid. It doesn't seem to be as spontaneous or impulsive as old cameras. First of all because it's not actually a camera. It's a printer that you have to send pictures to from your phone after taking them, or go to the hassle of carrying your camera, USB , and the PoGo around with you, plugging in your camera, and then choosing the photos you want to print. But it's definitely more impromptu than sending out to have photos developed, or printing them at home. And the photo paper they use, 2"x3" is just as lovable as the old Polaroid film. 



















The PoGo.

Another downfall (luckily not a complete one) of the PoGo is 
the photo quality. The streaks and colour distortion of Polaroids make them distinct and artsy. Today, anyone can take a picture with a digital camera and have it come out looking 100% real, no flaws. In fact, flaws and imperfections are discouraged nowadays. The PoGo however, falls halfway on this issue. The photos it prints are not nearly as faded, discoloured, or flawed as original Polaroids, but they aren't perfect either. It helps that cellphone cameras don't take very good pictures in the first place.















On the right, a photo printed using the PoGo. On the left, a photo printed using a full-sized Canon printer.

Instant photography is dying. The PoGo makes a solid effort to save it, but it's not enough. To be able to take a picture and have it in your hands a moment later is something unique. But nowadays people are so focused on uploading pictures from their cell phones or digital cameras right to their facebooks or flickr, and don't take the time to appreciate them. It could be as simple as making a scrapbook, or hanging up your pictures, but so rarely do people take the time anymore.

The Polaroid PoGo is (hopefully) the first of a new set of digital instant photography products from Polaroid. At $150, it's out of my grasp right now, but in the end, I definitely recommend it for the Polaroid-lover. 

Also, if you're into imperfect photography, I highly recommend the Diana F+ by Lomography ((the girl in this blog's title picture is holding it)). It's pretty bitchin'.

















The Diana F+ by Lomography.



















Polaroid-esque, no?

8 comments:

Hazel said...

yes, all photos are my own unless stated.

i COVET my polaroid camera. i'll keep it always.

Terry said...

Thank you, I enjoy your blog also. I do indeed miss polaroids. :/

Liam Walds said...

That last picture is beautiful, but I wonder why there are bars in front of the silver. Perhaps they are serving a life sentence.

Stevie K. said...

Either double exposure or it was taken in a store window, and they had bars in front (because you can see the person's reflection in the window). Probably double exposure...

Shade said...

haha no you dont sound like a creep! Hahah thanxxx! Ahh i adore polaroid! I own a Barbie polaroid camera haha and it just pisses me off that the film cost 20 dollars for 10 pics! and that they might stop making the film! Ahhh!

Hannah said...

I always wanted a polaroid camera so I was sad when they discontinued them.... The PoGo thing doesn't seem nearly as good. And yeah, I kind of hate the way the pictures my digital camera takes are so... bland. Uninteresting. Too perfect.

emily said...

i have the diana and i'm so sad about polaroids. ):

J said...

I love polaroids! I read an article about how they're going to be re-introduced late 2009-2010. Unfortunately I can't find that article right now, but if I do find it I'll be sure to let you know!