DAY ONE. In real life, however, “polaroid” is different from “instax”, I just like using the word “polaroid” because it sounds so Audrey Hepburn ♥, while “instax” sounds so.. hi tech. Yes, Jody, that’s an instax photo you saw in the previous post. After drooling over it for months, I finally got myself a Fujifilm Instax Mini.
1/30. Polaroid Cameras and Instant Photographs
As of Wednesday last week, I’m a proud owner of this baby. And as of today, I’ve consumed two boxes of instax films already, and have started using the last stack, albeit sparingly.
Some people ask me if it’s worth it, spending more than 30 PHP on a single instax photo (and about 50 PHP on polaroid, if you ever find one), in an era where digital cameras and phone cams are a way of life. But I say, I think the fact that you pay a certain amount to preserve a moment puts even more value to the photograph, right? Nod, I have a point. ;)
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for DSLRs and digital cameras, I can’t live without having one close to me wherever I go. But capturing moments through films and polaroids is special. With film, there’s that element of surprise — you’ll never know how your photos will turn out to be until you develop your rolls of film. With polaroid/instax, on the other hand, there’s that giddy excitement of watching the colors and images develop before your eyes.
It’s an expense that won’t give you ROI, alright, unless maybe you want to be like Jennie Castillo, who made a buy-and-sell business out of it; or Scott Hammond and Jenifer Altman, who are by far the best polaroid photographers I’ve seen online, who can get away with selling their polaroid shots at about $25 a piece. (Whew.)
As for me, I don’t mind being just Riz for now, wasting on polaroid sheets, just because they’re awesome. :x
P.S. A bunch of people asked me where I got the “R” pendant. I got it from a friend, Elaine of Artecrafts. She sells made-to-order charms and keychains just like mine. :)
30 Days of Awesome, 1/30.
Andrea Padilla says
Hi there :) your polaroid story is so cute. yes, memories are priceless and if you are a polaroid type of person buying film is not a waste of money. i’m researching where can I buy polaroid and polaroid films. i don’t know if you have discovered the sellers in sulit. there is a one who sells zink paper. electroman. Php1,300 per pack, Php1000 each for wholesale 6pcs. all the best
jasmine says
Hey! was just wondering whether polaroid cameras are still available? not the instax one. the ones which produces lomo-ish pictures :D are they only available on ebay?
Thanks :D
fena says
fave’d this on flickr! but cant help comment on here again. i love this.. & i love the shots. i agree with capturing moments thru polaroids & such are special. digicam’s & all that are great. but instant is more gratifying, for me. :) i soo want to get one of those fujifilm camera now. will search for one on ebay. hehehe.
Mara says
Your R pendant = awesome! So what’s the diff between an instax and a polaroid?
Riz says
Instax is smaller, and it’s specifically for FujiFilm Instax Mini cameras.
The polaroid one is bigger (almost double the size of an instax). These are the ones used in old vintage polaroid cameras, whereas the Fuji Instax Mini is not exactly vintage. :) The colors are different too. The polaroids have that lomo-ish, faded film effect. Instaxs, on the other hand, have more vibrant colors. :)
Mara says
Oooh. Also, I really like your blog :)
Riz says
Yayy, thanks Mara. <3 Your blog is awesome too!! You should consider getting your own domain! :)
Jody says
Aha i knew it!
So are you starting a love wall as well? :P
You’re still not on mine boo.
Visit and we’ll piss off the annoying new guard at the office.
And yeah, for me, it’s worth it. But then again i’m a dinosaur. I like writing longhand, searched for polaroid films as well, and get the attraction to typewriters. (clackity-clack)
Riz says
Love wall sounds good. :) Yes, will do! :)
And the guard!! Haha! We’ll see, we’ll see. :)
If that’s how you describe a dinosaur, then I guess I’m a dinosaur too!! :)