While skimming through the images coming out of International CES a few weeks ago, I came across an odd contraption: a Polaroid camera.
I’m not a photography buff by any means, although I have my moments where I think I could be the next Steve McCurry. Quite frankly, when I see people with these other cameras, huge things, costing hundreds of dollars with a lens the length of my arm, it kind of annoys me.
First, I wonder how many months rent I could pay with the cost of it, or whether they even know how to use all the functions. Since I’m a student moonlighting as a server, I also wonder whether you really need that much power to shoot a bowl of soup or not. It’s like bringing a pistol to a knife fight — not to mention my fear of how much this monster is going to put me out God forbid I should drop it while taking a group photo (thank God for straps).
I haven’t seen a Polaroid camera since I was about 6, and the first time I saw the film was at a thrift shop in Williamsburg over the summer and found myself sifting through a box of family pictures selling for 50 cents a piece. I wanted one immediately just because it was gimmicky.
The camera itself isn’t expensive. The model I saw was a Polaroid 300 selling for around $70. The film sells for about a $1 a piece. I brought this to the attention of a friend, whom you might term a purist*: one of those people who own tons of records or old-school DJ equipment, or even have a darkroom in his closet. *[Editor’s note: That term would be hipster.]
It’s safe to say that the consumer base for this camera is going to be very niche as it won’t work with picture-based social media: Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram, Selfies. However, the fact is people love taking pictures, especially of themselves. These Polaroids won’t be as sharable by any means, but I think they’ll still be fun.
Anna Gray is a TWICE intern.
