Save the Polaroid

Oh SaveThePolaroid, I have been neglecting you! Can you ever forgive me? I meant to post about this a long while ago and I was just recently reminded yesterday by a concerned friend! Photographer Rik Garrett, of Chicago, is hosting a Polaroid show- a sort of memorial to the life of Polaroid. Any one can enter their polaroids (no digital scans) and be in the show, so long as they arrive by July 25th. I know, I know.. Not much time left. I’m sorry! I sent mine by Priority Mail and you can do the same! (If you are in the Chicago area, the show opens August 15th.) Here’s the details:

www.polaroidshow.com

[the following was taken directly from Outdated’s website.]

Open call for submissions

OUTDATED - Polaroid art Show

Now seeking original Polaroid film images for upcoming gallery show in Chicago.

DEADLINE
all photographs and payments must be received no later than JULY 25th

Polaroid Corporation has announced that it is discontinuing production of all instant films. To celebrate the wonder of Polaroid film and bid it farewell, we are asking for submissions for a Polaroid-only show set to take place on August 15th in Chicago, Illinois.

The goal is to have a show full of a wide variety of images showing the versatility of this disappearing medium. Therefore the theme is open. Help us show the wide range of subjects captured on Polaroid brand instant film.

To include your photographs in the show, please send:

• • Up to six of your best Polaroid images

  • a self-addressed return envelope for all unsold photographs

  • a flat entry fee of $10 - click here for payment information *now accepting Paypal*

NEW - Due to high demand, there is no longer a six photograph limit for unframed submissions. For every set of up to six images submitted there will be another $10 entry fee. [Example: 1-6 images = $10 submission fee, 7-12 images = $20, 13-18 images = $30]

Artists receive 70% of all sales.

It is important that all photographs are labeled on the back with the following information:

• • Your name

  • Your address

  • Your email address

  • Sale price (if not for sale, please indicate such)

We will be handling the cost of promotion and opening night refreshments.

Send all of the above to:

OUTDATED
2136 W Division St #135
Chicago IL 60622

Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments:
polaroidshow@gmail.com

p.s. SaveThePolaroid loyal readers– your submissions will be posted shortly. Thanks for your support!

Hello Everyone! Thank you for sending me your photos! I am finally able to get them up! I got a few photos that were in the “save the polaroid” vein and some that were just plain ol’ good memories and good times using our favorite photo format. I think it’s all great. We’re here to show our love. If anyone else would like to send me some photos I’m thinking I’d like to post about once a week (more or less, depending on volume.) Thank you for your support and dedication! Our voices are being heard! I’ll keep you updated. -jamie.

Contact Ilford and Fuji and let them know that you want to keep Polaroid Instant Film alive!

ILFORD PHOTO

Head Office
Ilford Way
Mobberley
Knutsford, Cheshire
WA16 7JL, England
Phone +44 (0)1565 684000
Fax +44 (0)1565 872734
Email

Northern American Regional Office
18766 John J Williams Hwy
Suite 4 - 327
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, USA
Toll free voicemail & Fax 1-888-372-2338
Email

FUJIFILM

Fuji Photo Film USA, Inc.
P.O. Box 7828
Edison, NJ 08818-7828
Attn: Customer Care Dept.
Phone 1-800-800-3854
Fax 1-732-857-3487
USA Email
Japan Email
Other locations

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking the past few days about the recent announcement that Polaroid will be discontinuing their Instant Film format. I suppose it is hard for me to accept because it was one of those things that I trusted to always be there for me to explore more. I realize how naive and presumptuous this thought was. Truthfully, there wasn’t much thought about it before these past two weeks. It sounds silly to describe Polaroid as a cornerstone of my life that has now been removed, but it certainly represents that notion. It seems to represent a string of realizations (in m my life) lately that everything is fleeting. That’s a discussion for another day. In the grand scheme, Polaroid represents a small portion of all that is fleeting and important (or unimportant) in life, but it serves as a reminder none-the-less. (An irking, irritating, and unnecessary reminder.)

Polaroid represents what I love about art and photography. I believe experimentation, accidents, and unpredictability are important if not essential parts of the art making process. With Polaroid film you are guaranteed all three will occur at some point. I find that with digital photography I am lazy and expectant. It’s not that you cannot be experimental with digital photography: it’s just a lot more difficult. It’s difficult to make a mistake. Either that, or when you do experiment your results are predictable. In my opinion, the aesthetics of digital photography, especially experimental digital photography, will never compare to the images created with paper and chemicals.

Ultimately, I understand the decision made by Polaroid and decisions being made by film companies the world over. It is not profitable to make film anymore. If I could help support it by purchasing film and paper more, I would. I’m probably a fair sample of the consumer who is still interested in film and chemical processing. I would love to use only that. But, the fact is that I can’t afford it. I have a digital camera and a printer because it saves me hundreds of dollars a year. I hate to be a hypocrite, but at the same time, I refuse to believe that Polaroid cannot posses a corner in a niche market. I just hate to see an art form die. Are they going to stop making paint next? Pencils, maybe? (I heard pens are the new pencil..)

In an effort to garner some attention to the “niche market,” if one exists, and I believe strongly that it does, I have created this website. The website will be a hub for news from Polaroid and other corporations with options to pick up the Polaroid Instant Film format. To start, I am trying to gain support through photographers and Polaroid enthusiasts. Please send your pictures to Polaroid Corp. to express your disappointment and representation for the existing market. Polaroid will likely not overturn its decision to stop making instant film. However, enough vocalization may be just what the art form needs to survive. Polaroid is interested in selling the technology, if only there is a buyer. Join the effort!  Email your photos to savethepolaroid@gmail.com.

I’ll be posting the first batch of submissions soon. Thanks to those who have sent in their shots. Keep ‘em coming!