The Polaroid is about to disappear from the world…and I am not happy about it.
I only heard the news today from a creative type in our TV department who noticed a packet of film on my desk and exclaimed “Polaroid Film…you can’t buy that anywhere anymore!”. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I Google’d only to find out this news is about 12months old!! (see article below) How will I get funky instant photos now! How will I go on! My Cannon digital SLR is great but it will never give the effect of a good ‘ol Polaroid where you can write funny comments on the little white space under the image.
I do embrace new technology but this news is just one more step along the lines of the end of the print industry. I want to read news on the internet however I still want to read the newspaper. I want to read books on my blackberry smart phone but I also want to read books and write in their margins and dog their ears.
So what will I do with the rest of the Polaroid film I have? Treasure it and save it for a wonderful creative installation or sell it on eBay and make me some cash??
End of the line for Polaroid film
Posted
Polaroid has announced it will stop producing the film that is used to produce its iconic pictures.
The decision comes a year after the company wound up production its famous cameras, and reflects the changing nature of the photographic industry.
The company says they will now focus on other ventures, which include a portable printer for mobile phone images, and Polaroid-branded digital cameras.
Polaroid went bankrupt in 2001 after failing to embrace digital technology, and is trying to reinvent its image after it was bought by Petters Group in 2004.
A spokesman for the company says there will be enough film in stock to keep shelves stocked until 2011.
Factories in the US, Mexico and Netherlands will be closed due to the decision.
