Seen at the local cemetary.

There are still a few things to iron out and we have all sorts of ideas for useful and fun content to add, including a sticker contest, instructional videos and more. Send us your ideas!

http://www.savepolaroid.com/

Two old trucks, on opposite sides of the road…

I didn’t necessarily intend to take any photos at a nearby schoolhouse; but I did anyway.

This is one of the windows attached to a door leading inside (I couldn’t go in, as it was locked). It almost looks like a bullet hole here.

This is one of the front windows. You can’t really see it here, but there was a hole in that window, too. *nods*

To be continued…

Taken at dusk on a night when there was a lot of rain.

What does a Shelly do when her sunglasses are elsewhere? She borrows her mum’s big ones that are 20+ years old (and seem to be back in fashion…heh!).

Then what does she do when the camera takes a shot before she has a chance to get in it? She makes a triple exposure out of it.

I didn’t really take this photo for Memorial Day specifically, but I do think it’s fitting. *nods*

THE BOOK™ (Originally uploaded by s·h·e·l·l·y)

If you order no other book this year, you should order Portraits of Pretty People, a collection of amazing Polaroid portraits by Lou. (It would even make an excellent graduation gift. *nods*)

So why are you still reading this? Go get THE BOOK™!

I’m going to focus mainly on the questions I’ve been seeing pop up frequently on the various Polaroid-related groups on Flickr in recent times for this post.

Will I be able to use my (insert name of integral film camera here), now that Polaroid film is being discontinued?

No. Sadly, all the Polaroid integral cameras will, at some point, become nothing more than collector’s items. When that will happen will depend on how much film you’ve hoarded and how often you shoot. If you buy a lot of film, and/or if you shoot sparingly, you may be good on film for some time.

Will Fuji’s Instax film work in my (insert name of integral film camera here)?

No. Regular Instax film — even though it bears some resemblance to Spectra/Image film — works only in Fuji’s Instax cameras (which are not sold in the US). Instax Mini film works in Instax Mini cameras (also unavailable Stateside) and the Polaroid Mio.

Will Fuji’s packfilm work in my (insert type of packfilm camera here)?

Fuji’s packfilm — FP-100C, FP-100B, and FP-3000B — works in any and all Polaroid cameras that take Type 100 film. See The Land List website linked at the beginning for a list. If you’re using a Type 80 packfilm camera, or an integral film camera, and you want to keep shooting instant film, you’re going to have to make the switch to packfilm.

How do I make double exposures with my (insert type of instant film camera here)?

Packfilm and I-Zone cameras: Just keep shooting until you’re ready to pull the film out.

Spectra cameras (except for the Spectra II, I believe): You have a couple of options…

1) Use what’s known as the “self-timer” trick. Before opening the camera, turn on the self-timer (flip the switch down). Then open the camera and let it take a shot. Close the camera back up and turn off the self-timer (flip the switch up). Re-open the camera, and take a shot like you normally would.

2) Hold the shutter release down for the first shot and shut the camera while doing so. Then set the camera to the Darken position, re-open the camera, and take the second shot.

600 + SX-70 cameras: saviorjosh shares a technique he learned from someone on Flickr. It is quite an involved process.

I hate Petters with the fire of a thousand suns! He should be ashamed of himself!

Yeah, I don’t like the git, either, nor do I plan to buy anything branded “Polaroid”. IMO, Dr. Land is rolling in his grave at the developments from the last few months.

The last one isn’t a FAQ; but I’m going to put it here anyway…

What can I, a lover of instant film, do to insure instant photography (and its legacy) is kept alive?

* Save Polaroid has some excellent resources, as well as stories by other fans of instant film, in regards to what it means to them, and why it should stick around.

* Keep shooting the stuff! Remember that the pictures you will take will be one-of-a-kind, something that no one else has. If anyone asks about your camera, tell them about it.

* Show your shots off — online, to your best friends (and enemies), wherever.

Happy shooting!

Grape hyacinth, taken close to sunset. My favourite is the one on top; but I decide to present it and the bottom one as a diptych. *nods*