Polaroid Week - Day Three's Image PLUS a DIY Polaroid Framing Craft

Here is my third contribution to Polaroid Week. I decided yesterday that I wanted to photograph my little gem of a camera which is impossible without a mirror. So, I got out my vintage French Ivory hand held looking glass today and started experimenting. For anyone who has never tried to hold a Polaroid camera with one hand and take a picture, they may not understand why I feel triumphant about this blurry pic. Polaroid cameras as like clunky tanks, and they really need two hands. But, I like this a lot. And I dig the camera. It has the most amazing Polaroid sound. So loud. Not what we are used to with digital. Of all my Polaroid cameras this one is the loudest. On another note, I love that this image is capturing the moment right before the camera spit out the film.


Ok, I promised two DIY projects for framing your Polaroids this week. The first one will probably appeal best to Polaroid enthusiasts who like and own the little black packs that the film comes in. Back when Polaroid made film, they allowed people to mail these back so they could recycle them. I never did this and I now have over 200 of them for 669 film, and just a few of the square type 80 I am using here. I am happy to be able to reuse these as frames. I framed this image that I made especially for my friend, Kim. I made it this spring, when I passed the Mayberry store in Grindrod, British Columbia. It is a double exposure of the store and another store, covered in hubcaps, next door. Kim's last name is Mayberry. Since it was recently her birthday it was time to frame this image up and give it to her.

How to Frame Your Polaroid Image Using a Polaroid Film Pack
By Tiffany Teske


What You Will Need:
~ Empty Polaroid Film Pack
~ Polaroid
~ Picture Hanging Wire


This is the back of a Polaroid 669 pack.


Hold your film pack so the window is facing down. With your left hand, squeeze in the sides of the pack that have the window, and with your right hand remove the backside of the pack (I am right handed). Lift one side off first, then it will come apart easily. This is difficult to describe but easy to feel once you are doing it. It is not fragile so even if it feels like you might break it, you won't.


Now you will have three pieces.


Flip over the piece in the middle in the photo above (the solid piece). Lay your Polaroid on it. You can secure the image with photo tape on the back but it is not necessary.


Take the piece with the window and set it on top.


Put the third piece back on the pack in a reverse of how you took it off, one side then the other. Make sure it clicks together.


Take a length of picture wire that is appropriate for the frame size. Knot both ends. Pull up one of the tabs on the back side of the pack. Slide the knot in. Let the tab fall back into place and the knot will be secure. Do the same on the other side.


Ta-da!


You can put a business card in the back of the pack just secure it with some double sided tape.


I wrote a message on the frame with a silver paint pen. I packaged Kim's gift with recycled tissue paper, a take home food container, and recycle ribbon. Easy peasy and she was pleased as punch!

Polaroid Week - Day Two PLUS Ten Ways to Display Polaroids

Polaroid Week, or I should call it Fall Polaroid Week, since we already had one in May, kicked off yesterday. Yes, it is technically called 'Roid Week but the picture that brings to my mind isn't pretty... I look forward to trying new things during Polaroid Week and this time around I got out a Sears Special One Step Land Camera with it's retro rainbow striped goodness. This camera came out about 1977, for $39.95. I bought it at a thrift store in 2009 for $10. Not sure if it worked, but Oh Baby, it does. It takes SX-70 film, and I just happened to have 4 packs that expired late last year. Whoopie! Now if only I could do the impossible and photograph the lovely little camera with itself... oh wait, I just got am idea for tomorrow's photo...


Today I made some natural light photos of my youngest daughter on my bed beneath a series of Polaroids (on the wall) of her older sister kissing and hugging my belly when I was pregnant with her. This camera used a strip of flashbulbs for illumination (wow, how many of those are in landfills now?) so I am forced to use natural light. These exposures were long, and I didn't even check for a tripod mount. I like how the camera shake and colors of the SX-70 film makes this look like an impressionist painting...

Polaroid Images by Tiffany Teske

Read on for ten ways to display your Polaroids...


Wall Collage of Polaroid Spectra Images "Float Mounted" in Archival Mats

This is the second post in my three part series on Polaroids and how to care for and display them. You can access the first post here, which deals exclusively with how to store and care for your images. Now we will explore some of the way I like to display my original Polaroids, Polaroid transfers, and Polaroid emulsion lifts in my home.

Remember, it is always best to display Polaroids on a wall or in an area that does not receive direct sunlight. Putting your images in the sun can cause them to curl and they will fade quickly.

Number 1 - Photo Mobile


I picked this up in the gallery shop of the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art. It is really cool, and I am sure that anyone who crafts with wire can whip one up. I like working with wire, but have pretty bad luck with trying to balance mobiles that are not hung on a pre-balanced round circle... anyway, whether you make it, buy one from someone who can, or pick one up where photo items are sold, it is a great way to display your Polaroids. The clips won't damage the images, and you can put them back to back, to display up to 20 at once. And the movement of the images on the breeze is a visual plus.



Number 2 - Horizontal or Vertical Ribbon Photo Holder Using Simple Silver Paper Clips or Wooden Clothespins


Horizontal Photo Holder Using Wide Wire Edged Ribbon and Wooden Clothespins

This is a very simple way to display your Polaroids. There are thousands of different patterns of wide wire edged ribbon out there, so you can find the perfect one to go with your decor and your photos. I used simple silver thumbtacks, one on each end of the ribbon, near the top, to attach this to the wall. I put the push pins near the top of the ribbon, so that it would hold the extra little bit of weight from the paper clips that are holding the images to the top of the ribbon. You can adjust the pressure of the clips so that they do not make indents on the photos. This simple display solution can be changed often, as it takes just minutes to put together and is not permanently fixed to the wall. To spice things up you can use fun colored paper clips, if color is your thing.


Horizontal Photo Holder Using Wide Wire Edged Ribbon and Simple Silver Paper Clips


Vertical Ribbon Photo Holder Using Wooden Clothespins

This is a different version of Number 2... there are really many, many possible versions of this idea. This one uses woven jute ribbon, which is nice and stiff. I have attached it to the wall with silver push pins, putting the pins in the middle of the ribbon. Then, using wooden clothespins, I have attached a series of images. I personally like the unfinished look of the ribbon at the bottom of the holder, but you could trim this straight across if you like.

Number 3 - Framing Your Image Using Archival Matboard


Polaroid Spectra Image "Float Mounted" in Archival Window Mat in Composite Frame


Polaroid Transfer in Archival Window Mat in Metal Frame

One purpose of a mat is to keep your image from touching the glass in a framed image. When an image touches the glass there is a risk of it permanently sticking if there is any moisture present. The best way to display your images in frames is to use an archival, acid free front window and backing mat. Your image can be attached to the backing mat using photo corners, low tack acid free tape (so you can remove it someday), or you can use photo glues if you don't mind having the image permanently mounted. You cannot mount Polaroids using a dry mount press, as this can melt and scorch them. There are some pressure rather than heat activated products on the market that can be explored for permanent mounting. No matter how you decided to mount the image on the backing board, you need to use quality mats. Cheap paper mats will eventually leave a ring around your image where the acid has eaten it. You could avoid this by not having the window of the mat touch your image, such as in the example image where there Polaroid is "float mounted" but your image will still be damaged if the backing mat is not acid free. You can find out more about matting images by Googling the subject on the web.

And a word about frames and glass... using wood frames will eventually damage all the contents inside of the frame because of the acid in the wood. Metal frames are really the best option for matted Polaroids. UV glass or Plexiglas are good for helping to minimize the fading caused by sunlight. Plexiglas is harder to clean as it scratches. Regular window glass does provide some UV protection but is not as good as UV glass.


Series of Polaroid Transfers "Float Mounted" on Archival Mat Without Window Mats


Series of Polaroid Transfers in Archival Window Mats in Composite Frames

Number 4 - Framing Your Polaroid Without a Mat


Polaroid Transfer Placed Directly in Wooden Frame with Glass

While this is not the best recommendation, some of you are probably like me, and you are ok with the fact that your image might not last for years and years. In this case, you can frame your image in whatever frame you like. There are so many unique and wonderful frames out there. Just keep in mind that if you don't use a quality mat, your image may stick to the glass. And that if the frame is wood, the acid will damage your photo over time.


Polaroid 669 Original in Vintage Frame with Convex Glass

Another option is for matless frames it to use vintage frames with convex glass so that the glass is not sitting directly on your image. This are available in a number of places. You can check antique shops, thrift stores, Etsy or Ebay for starters. Vintage frames look lovely with Polaroids.

Number 5 - Wire Photo Holder


Polaroid 669 Original in Wire Photo Holder

There are a number of cool wire photo holder options out there. You can buy them at decor or photo shops, but you can also make them. I hope to present a how-to for making your own wire photo holders within the next week or so (however I may give birth to my second child within that time, so rest assured if you don't see that craft tutorial here soon, it will show up eventually). You can also find wonderful handmade wire photo holders on Etsy, as well as vintage options. As a bit of a variation, I have used one of my metal business card holders that was handmade by an artist to display a Polaroid 600 image below.


Polaroid 600 Original in Metal Business Card Holder

Number 6 - Florist Pin Frogs


Series of Polaroid Spectra Originals Displayed Using Florist Pin Frogs

This is one of my favorite ways to display my Polaroids when I want to sprinkle them throughout my home for non permanent displays. They take seconds to put a photo into, so you can change them up often. And they work well for series of related photographs set either in a straight line or staggered. You can get these from a florist or they can tell you where to buy them. I happen to have scads left over from my wedding...


Series of Polaroid Spectra Originals Displayed Using Florist Pin Frogs

Number 7 - Stick Them To or Lean Them Against The Wall


Polaroid 600 Image Leaning Against the Wall On Top of a Painting

This is probably the most common, low tech way of displaying your Polaroids. It is quite non committal, and convenient. However, it doesn't protect images from fingerprints, dust, scratches, fading, or bending, but once again, if you are not into treating your Polaroids with kid gloves, then who cares, right? They are not ALL masterpieces...


Three Holgaroid and One Spectra Original Attached to the Wall Using Wall Tack

And as far as the best way to attach a Polaroid directly to the wall, I would never use tape. Use poster putty (or wall tack or adhesive putty, whatever YOU call it) which is reusable, doesn't dry out, and if you get a good kind won't stain the back of your image (the cheap stuff may). I use this all the time when I am just tacking up a photo on the wall, and it is easy to remove without hurting the wall or bending your image, and I have never had one fall off the wall.

Number 8 - Polaroid Pack Film Holder


Polaroid 669 Original in a 669 Film Pack Holder

If you have never thought of doing this, shame on you! Polaroid did have a recycling program where you could send these things back, but I have kept all of mine over the years so I actually have a few hundred. You can only frame one image for every ten you make, but it is a great way to upcycle these puppies, and you can find whatever creative means you like to hang them on a wall. You can also just lean them on the wall. I don't really have a step by step of how to get the back off, the photo in, and the back back on, but it is simple, just give it a shot.


Polaroid Spectra In Camera Double Exposure in Spectra Film Pack Holder


Polaroid 669 Original in a 669 Film Pack Holder

Number 9 - Photo Album


Vintage Photo Album That Holds 669 Images

Polaroids, like all photographs, can benefit from dark storage to keep the dyes from fading over time. You need to keep in mind that old, vintage photo albums may provide pockets that are the perfect size but they are probably not acid free, which means they will actually damage the images if used for long time storage. It is best to go with archival, acid free photo albums and scrapbooks. Or you can buy "Polaroid Specific" albums from China. I have purchased some via Ebay. I can't vouch for their long term success for storing images but they are inexpensive and the right sizes for your Polaroids.


"Polaroid Specific" Album From China For 669 Images


Vintage Photo Albums for 669 Images


Number 10 - Photo Cubes


Polaroid 669 Images and Transfers in Photo Cubes

When I was a kid, we always had photo cubes kicking around out house. So, when I saw these, I bought a bunch, and even used them in a gallery show I had. They hold 5 images each so they are great for displaying a bunch of images in a novel way. People like to touch things, so this display is tactile. I did have to cut the images to fit these cubes so keep the window dimensions in mind if you don't want to cut your images.

Now go, jump into displaying your Polaroids. I appreciate your comments, and would love to hear your ideas for displaying images. Stay tuned for tomorrow's how-to display craft. Cheers!

All images by Tiffany Teske

It's That Time of Year Again... Polaroid Week!!

As many of you know, I am more than a wee bit obsessed with Polaroid. You can go and see for yourself on my Polaroid blog. This is my first image for Polaroid week. I took this of my 3 1/2 year old daughter, with the Halloween treat pumpkin my grandparents used to let me use when I was a kid. My grandfather recently passed away and my husband took it for our kids when we were looking through his things. I didn't know this until later and I was thrilled! I love its retro goodness, made even better by Polaroid.


Believe it or not, my 3 1/2 year old daughter took this of me. Polaroid photography is in our blood, hehe. I will be posting at least one image a day until Friday. Tuesday and Thursday's posts will include simple display ideas, and Wednesday and Friday's posts will include DIY framing ideas you can make.

Read on for more info on caring for and storing your Polaroids...


As a photographer who spends the majority of my time shooting with or reworking images with Polaroid film, I am often asked about the best ways to care for and display Polaroid based images. The questions come from both other artists and photographers, as well as people who purchase my work or the work of others. In this three part series I will present how to care for and store your Polaroids, including what NOT to do; 10 ways to decoratively display Polaroids including at least one how-to craft; and give you some additional good ideas on that make use of Polaroids. We will start with caring for and storing your Polaroids and what NOT to do...


To determine the best way to handle your Polaroids, you need to think about how long you might really want to keep an original image. You should consider whether you want to put these babies away in an effort to better preserve them or whether you would like to display them so you can view and enjoy them.


Polaroids are not archival. This means they will not last forever. Polaroid images were designed for instant gratification, to record a moment in a moment but not necessarily for that moment to live on in a museum. Some Polaroids yellow, fade, or become brittle, but these films have been around long enough for us to know that not all images do this. There are some images that you may want to handle with surgical gloves and others that you carelessly throw into a pile. Read on for my tips on dealing with either scenario.


SO YOU WANNA KEEP IT FOREVER...
Well, forever is a long time. And depending on what you read, this is both impossible and possible. Let's say FOREVER is your lifetime. According to Polaroid.com, the American National Standards Institute says that Polaroid films do not fade any faster than any other photographic medium, as long as they are properly stored. They say it takes more than 100 years for them to fade if stored in an archival quality album. Dark storage is recommended by Polaroid to prevent fading, and they claim their color dyes are very stable under these conditions. They do admit that yellowing can occur in white and light areas of a print, when stored in the dark. Flat storage is the best method, as prints on their side can yellow more than those that are flat. Let an images dry for several weeks before storing them, then put them in a box that provides circulation, like a paper storage box. If your prints do yellow, you can set them in daylight or under fluorescent light for a few hours to a few days to correct the problem. The protective polyester outer layer of a Polaroid can be cleaned (for more on cleaning you can read this article from Polaroidmanipulation.com).


BUT I WANT TO LOOK AT THESE IMAGES EVERYDAY AND HAVE THEM LAST FOREVER...
If you want to display your Polaroids AND have them last FOREVER, you are frankly, out of luck. No photograph that is out in the elements of air, light, moisture, etc, will last forever without fading, discoloring, or changing in some way. The good news is that there are ways to minimize the impact of the elements by taking special care. When framing an image that you want to view for a long time, use metal frames with archival mats. Wood frames are acidic and will eventually damage the contents of the frame. An archival mat will protect you work from sticking to the glass of a frame. You need to select either a UV glass or Plexiglas to protect the image in the frame. We will get into matting and framing in more detail in the "Ten Ways to Display Your Polaroids" post.


I WANT TO SEE MY IMAGES, I DON'T CARE IF THEY LAST FOREVER...
This attitude may be the best one to have when it comes to enjoying your Polaroids. Obviously you will probably still want to handle your Polaroids by touching the white borders rather than the surface, keep your images out of the sun or strong direct light, and display them in ways that don't damage the surface like say a push pin might. However, if you are willing to use common sense while allowing your images see the light of day, you will have many more options to chose from when reading the "Ten Ways to Display Your Polaroids" post.


So there is care and storage of Polaroids in a nutshell. On a personal note, I don't handle my originals with gloves. I like the quirky aspects of Polaroid that can't be controlled. Staining, fading, yellowing, scratching, blooming, missing corners... they are all beautiful to me. Much like the mystery that is present when making a Polaroid, that feeling of not knowing what the final image will look like, I enjoy the mystery of not knowing how my images might change over time. Nothing lasts forever, and I embrace that.


OH, ONE LAST, VERY IMPORTANT NOTE ON WHO OWNS THE IMAGE...
Some of you may have noticed that I forgot to mention that you can archive you Polaroids digitally. Yes, of course you can, IF YOU SHOT THE IMAGES. In this case, you own the copyright and can do whatever you want. Making digital copies of your originals via scanner is a great idea. If the original is ever lost, destroyed, or sold, you will still have the image. And scanning your originals will allow you to use them in other ways, such as by making limited edition prints to sell, or altering the images in mixed media work. HOWEVER, if you have purchased your Polaroid from the photographer, and you did not make the image, YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO MAKE DIGITAL COPIES OF IT. This is copyright infringement and the laws vary according to location. Whether you buy and original or a print you are buying THAT original or print, not the rights to reproduce it. Artists and photographers charge usage fees for the right to use and reproduce their work, and these fees usually come with contracts that state how the image can be used. I had someone ask me if they could ask the photographer for permission to scan the images, for their own personal use, meaning they would make one print for themselves if the original was damaged. Sure, ask away, but even if you don't want to sell the images, most photographers would be leary to give you permission to scan their work and reproduce it. It is a slippery slope. Scanning and printing the images that belong to someone else without their permission or without paying fees is stealing. You can try to get away with it, but it is dishonest, and it cheats artists, most of whom honestly don't make a lot of money from what they do.


Lecture over.