First Impressions: Instant Photography

I bought a lovely, reconditioned SX-70 (Polaroid camera) to come to the Instant Love retreat.  Bought it last summer. I've been staring at it and occasionally stroking it ever since. I hadn't dared actually open the precious object, though, in case I somehow broke it.

Yesterday, however, I learned how to do just that and my camera and I greeted each other warmly. With great ceremony, it offered up a first photograph....then promptly died. Which is a bit of a bummer, really, given that this is essentially a Polaroid retreat.

Never fear, I also brought with me a back-up camera - a last minute purchase I didn't think I'd actually need: a Fuji Instax (the new S50 Piano Black for those interested in such things - and, yes, I bought it 'cause it was called 'Piano').

After yesterday's despondent start, I've been having real fun with this little baby today. And I'm already dreaming up uses for the cute, credit card-sized images it delivers with such a satisfying whirr.   They have more of an instant, vintage look than I expected.   In fact, I could get quite addicted to these.

Which is, I guess, the whole point of this retreat.  (And at least the film is a whole lot cheaper than film for the now deceased Polaroid!)