Am I the only photographer who still has any Polaroid Type 85 left? I think I might be. It makes me sad.
Today I had a great shoot with Zinn Star. We worked mostly with my Rollei but broke off for a few minutes to waste away a package of Polaroid Type 85 that I had never put in the fridge for storage. I think the last pack I was able to purchase was in 2006. I’ve been storing refrigerators full of it but wanted to see what a package would do that hadn’t been stored appropriately. I kind of like it a lot.
These are, of course, solarized. A technique of peeling the polaroid apart before it’s fully exposed (about 10 seconds) and then holding the negative up to the sun so it tweaks the chemicals to make the shadows do really amazing things. They become lighter in spots on the negative, where as the shadows on the positive stay completely black. But what happened with the expired film was the brownish erosion at the top and bottom. To me it looks a bit like out of focus vines or leaves trying to take over a scene as if an abandoned building would attract the same.
Sadly, positive/negatives films are being overrun by the environment. The chemicals are getting old and rotting the films like they would old wooden floorboards of a house. I’m glad I have a lot of it left still… this makes me want to preserve it even more. I know those photographers who still have their positive/negative polaroid films feel the same. This is magical to us. We aren’t really into the other Polaroid Types…. they don’t have actual negatives. So I raise a toast to all the photographers out there moaning through each pack of film knowing that you can’t hoard it, you have to shoot it, and the day it’s completely gone will certainly be upon all of us.
3 Comments
First off, I love your work. Amazing concepts, lighting, the full package. It’s always a pleasure to peruse your work.
I have about 16 boxes left of my type 85. Some in the fridge, some not. I haven’t shot any before, and I’m trying to figure out the best possible camera to use the full frame. Any suggestions? I have several land cameras and a couple of the square shooters, but somehow, I want something better for some of the shots. Thanks in advance for any advice!
Cheers,
Eric
Hi Eric! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
All my Type 85 images are made with a Holga and Polaroid Back. It’s the “FULL FRAME” Holga by Polaroid. The backs they sell for the Holga now are for 600 Types, not the 85 Types, so you’ll most likely have to peruse Ebay in order to find one. It must take 120 Film… Here’s one: http://cgi.ebay.com/Holga-Polaroid-Instant-Back-Holgaroid-/160636613766?pt=US_Film_Backs_Holders&hash=item2566b03486#ht_500wt_1156
Please share your images with me! I feel so lonely being the only one I know who still works with 85 film.
I almost bought one of those, but decided to spend the money towards a Hasselblad and Polaroid back! 🙂 I would love to try one of these. I have several boxes of type 80 film so I could treat it to a last hurrah!
I’m currently trying to amass as many different types of Polaroid film I can and publish a photo book. I have quite a collection, but I still have a lot to go.
I have a few Polaroid shots here: http://www.esmithproductions.com/photoblog
I’m really hoping to shoot some of the Type 85 this weekend. At least shoot something, anyway!
Thanks again!
Eric