This was meant just as a test of the lighting setup, using a polaroid back on my medium format camera. Sometimes now I tell people that I’m just testing the lighting to get them more relaxed and casual. Since digital has taken over everywhere, these little polaroid records of the shoot are now a part of history. Digital is beyond powerful now, but there is something tangible and special about the feel of something like this in your hands. Although I don’t miss paying $300 for a days worth of film and processing.

This particular type of B&W polaroid film came with a glaze that you put on the print when it was done, in order to fix the image. There was a natural bleaching, glossing, and duotone effect to this process, dependent on timing of application and age of the materials. I’ll feel a little sad when I come across a photography major who’s never been in a darkroom or felt something like this. Most schools still have a darkroom I think, but the time is coming up soon I’m afraid.