For my 30th birthday this past December I bought myself a sweet $30 classic Polaroid from Ritz Camera.I still haven't opened the box yet, as I'm on stand-by until I'm nestled into a safe place where memories and memorabilia can begin to be amassed in earnest again.
But yesterday the Massachusets-based Polaroid company announced that it will no longer be making their legendary instant camera. They'll discontinue their patented camera line immediately, and will have its pricey cartridges available to buy from stores for only one more year.
So there is no doubt for me: This is a breakout year worth documenting, worth repeating, and worth revisting one picture at a time.
I'll just wait a few more minutes for my technicolor posse to show up in full view.
"In New York City, Edward Land invented the first inexpensive filters capable of popularizing Polaroid film. Because he was not associated with an educational institution, he lacked the tools of a proper laboratory, making this a difficult endeavor. Instead, he would sneak into a laboratory at Columbia University late at night to use their equipment....Once he could see the solution to a problem in his head, he lost all motivation to write it down or prove his vision to others."
