Instant Camera Shops - Shop, Purchase, Buy Online
Although they are no longer popular today, instant cameras still hold a certain charm for many people.
The original purpose of instant cameras was motivated by Jennifer Land's question to her father, American scientist and inventor of instant cameras Edwin Land: "Why can't I see them now?"
Since then, instant cameras have been useful not only because of its efficiency but also for purposes such as ID cards, passport photos, ultrasound photos, and other uses which required an instant photo. Instant cameras were also used by police officers and fire investigators because of their ability to create an unalterable instant photo. They were also used by script supervisors in film production as standard to aid visual continuity by photographing characters or sets, producing photographs that could be instantly referred to when a particular set or character's appearance needs to be reset and shot again, or recalled later due to the non linear shooting schedule of a film or television production (that is, a film is rarely shot in the order of chronology in the film, due to time, location or financial restraints). 1
Nowadays, however, instant cameras are no longer relevant due to digital technology. In fact, many have switched over to digital photography because of the latter's ability to give its photographer space for mistakes that can be easily corrected, something that instant cameras definitely cannot do.
In fact, in February 2008, Polaroid announced it would discontinue production of film for its instant cameras, shut down three factories and lay off 450 workers.Sales of chemical film by all makers have dropped by at least 25% per year in the first decade of the 21st century, and the decline is likely to accelerate. Fujifilm is now the only remaining supplier of instant film in the United States. However, in October 2009, Polaroid announced it would bring back its classic instant film cameras, after announcing the year before that production was to be stopped.2
Instant cameras may not be as useful as it was fifty years ago, especially since people can snap a photo with almost any device these days, transfer the photo to a computer and print it out. But there will always be that special something that separates instant cameras from any digital models. Maybe it's the inspiration that they incite, or the nostalgia that comes with holding 4 by 5-inch instant memories in your hands that remind people of the past. Whatever it is, instant cameras will never get old.
These days, instant cameras like Polaroid are hard to find. The film is even much more expensive than what they used to be. But you don't have to be a photography buff to know to appreciate instant cameras and know the value that comes with inspiration.
To purchase instant cameras, you can try visiting your local camera shop or, if they no longer carry instant cameras, you can browse online and you are sure to find an instant camera (or a film) that is perfect for you.
Source:
1, 2 wikipedia.org
Photo credit: www.onepearlbutton.com/2010/05/beginners-guide-to-polaroid-photography.html