Polaroid is dead...

Geez, that sounds positively dire, doesn't it? Seems to be a big topic of conversation for anyone who knows I do a lot of work with Polaroid processes. Yes, a big deal, historical in fact, but not so dire as to need such a dramatic headline. Polaroid quite making film cameras last year, so the rumor has been coming down, and funny that this all happened this week when 1) I am looking for consumer issue 600 film for a project I am working on and need to document and 2) when I went looking for a pack, I was told by one of the local camera store owners that Polaroid was going to quit making film. The thing is, I generally don't use comsumer grade Polaroid film. I use pack films, the kind that used to go in camera backs, to check lighting for pro shoots, BEFORE digital. The two part stuff that you need a land camera, or camera back, or Daylab for. These films, too, will not be made anymore. However, I am pretty much ok with all of this, a surprise even to me. I LOVE Polaroid! I will be sad to see it go but I don't think it will be abrupt. Maybe I am in denile, but I think Polaroid will die a slow death. I have read reports that there will be enough to fill the shelves until 2009 - 2011. I have quite a bit now, and can stockpile more. And I truly think that someone will buy the technology and keep making it. As far as the consumer stuff, Fuji does make an instant film already. And for the artists, well, I think it will be something a place like Photographer's Formulary may handle. There are always small niche markets that someone will supply. So, I am optimistic, and have too much info to sound the alarm like all the people who doesn't even use the stuff. And it has been a good run for me and Polaroid. I have worked with it and taught it to many. For generations photography barely changed, but for me, since I have ever gotten into it, it has been changing. When I was in University I had the distinct honor of being one of the few classes that was working both in traditional darkroom, while using and learning the very slow and frustrating first version of Photoshop. Photography in my professional life has always been changing. So, if Polaroid goes down in history, at least my work will be a part of it...