Assignment 1: Polaroids

"Instant camera film has three layers that are sensitive to different colors of light. Underneath each color layer, there is a developer layer containing dye couplers. All of these layers sit on top of a black base layer, and underneath the image layer, the timing layer and the acid layer. This arrangement is a chemical chain reaction waiting to be set in motion." [3] 

First Polaroid, February 21, 1947, ©2014 PLR Ecommerce, LLC.

History

• The polaroid was first introduced on February 21, 1947 by inventor Edwin H. Land [5]
• In 1963 Polaroid released the Model 100 Land camera, the first fully automatic pack film and exposure control camera. [5]
• By 1977 the Polaroid OneStep Land camera had become the best-selling camera, instant or conventional, in the US. [5]
• Artists famous for working with Polaroids:
• David Hockney [6]
• Ansel Adams [6]
• Walker Evans [6]
• Andy Warhol [6]

Imogen + Hermiane, Pembroke Studios, London 30th July 1982, David Hockney, Composite Polaroid 31 1/2” x 24 1/2”, © David Hockney

How It Is Used
Polaroids have been used by a number or people in a number of settings. The prints were ideal for anyone who didn't want to wait for film to be developed. Polaroids have been used by artists, photographers, musicians, doctors, and everyday people. They have been used for work and for fun.

How to Identify and Date
Polaroids are printed with a manufacturing code on the back that simply has to be decoded to date the print. [2] "Polaroid frequently labeled the back of their print materials with the Polaroid name or with the material name, such as Polacolor. Many instant print films have a unique design that is indicative of the material." [4]

"Film Identification and Manufacturing Information."

Preservation Concerns

• If the original print gets lost there is no negative backup [1] 
• Fading [1] 
• The emulsion is very sensitive [1] 
• fingers can leave marks [1] 
• oxygen can get caught and cause air bubbles
• yellowing and a loss of detail [4]
• edge defects if the chemistry does not spread evenly between the negative and receiving paper [4]

Bibliography

[1] Bonanos, Christopher. Instant: The Story of Polaroid. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2012.

[2] "Film Identification and Manufacturing Information." Accessed September 20, 2015.

[3] Harris, Tom. "How Instant Film Works." HowStuffWorks. Accessed September 22, 2015.

[4] "Identification: Diffusion Transfer." Graphics Atlas:. Accessed September 20, 2015.

[5] "Polaroid." Polaroid. Accessed September 20, 2015.

[6] "Seven Famous Photographers Who Used Polaroids." History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian. Accessed September 21, 2015.