Personally I’m Glad It’s Gone

Ignore these images, they suck.

A few months ago, when Polaroid died a horrible death for perhaps the last time, I read an article about the demise of this legendary photographic entity.

I normally wouldn’t read an article like this, probably because I find these topics depressing and subjects that have been covered to death. Our news cycle is like a binge eater at the Sizzler buffet, voracious and nearly unstoppable.

But in this case, I’m glad I did read this thing. What got me wasn’t the demise of Polaroid, which is a bummer, but what got me was some “digitally inclined” chap they interviewed about the demise of Polaroid.

In short, this person, more or less said, “Good, I’m glad it’s dead, people should be using digital anyway.”

I just wanted to say how much I agreed with this messenger of all things digital. I mean how could anyone like Polaroid? Or what we are left with Fujiroid?

An instant picture? Bad. Clearly.

Unless it’s a digital instant picture, then I can see that being just fine.

And getting a tiny print that looks incredible, I detest that too.

The only tiny, instant prints I like require me to download, sit at a computer, buy ink and paper, and run through countless drop down menus. I LOVE doing this. So much fun, and after twenty five years of the world’s most expensive R&D, CLEARLY better than that lousy Polaroid crap.

I’m also glad I never have to look at those sensational journal books what were made from these small prints, you know the ones in glass cases at the gallery shows. All those famous photographers, who for decades kept log books of all their shoots, findings, snapshots, castings, etc, I’m SO glad all that is gone. I mean who wants to look at that stuff? Who wants a history of what we’ve done? The history I dream about is filled with racks of hard drives and links to “online galleries” which we all know by now are the ONLY way to look at work, especially on small monitors with slow connections, that way we can take our time.

My final point is that although I’m truly gleeful that the “Evil Roid” is now gone, I’m sure glad someone scanned those infamous Polaroid borders, because it sure has saved me a lot of post-processing time when I’m faking my digital images to LOOK like the dreaded Polaroid. So glad we don’t have to deal with this stuff anymore. Enough already.

I’m sure glad these “digitally inclined” are watching out for our best interests and are pioneering the way in copying the old school ways with all things new. I think we are all better for it and our robust and vibrant industry is proof of their genius.

Now, as soon as I upgrade about forty pieces of electronic equipment in my office I can get back out there and start shooting.

Wish me luck!