There is one thing though, that I do not like about polaroids. I get stingy with the film! Each exposure is so precious that I find myself really saving up the shots.
That one day, for example, when I was strolling through the street market, trying to get a shot of a table displaying all sorts of colorful sweets, this little boy (above) ran up to me and asked me if I could take his picture with his duck. I feel so bad to confess this, but as I was focusing on the table full of treats, I shook my head and said “No”. Then he made a puppy face and turned around kind of stomping back to his parents table. I looked at my pack with only 1 shot left and I thought… Screw it, I take it back! So I ran after the little boy and told him to go ahead and bring his duck so we could get down to business. Needless to say, he was ecstatic! That alone was/ is ALWAYS worth it. A minute later he comes with a LIVE duck! I had no idea it was going to be alive. First thing I thought of was a rubber duckie :) Then I asked him to smile and he said something like: “Can I growl?”, which I did not understand, but got the idea, as soon as he started making faces and noises. I snapped, the picture came out, and his eyes immediately opened wide as in: “What happened?” He looked at the undeveloped image and asked with a frown: “Is it bad? Did it not turn out?” I assured him it would come out, but he didn’t believe me, so we sat on the curb and watched the picture appear bit by bit with lots of anticipation. His reaction and joy were priceless. I just wish I had one more shot so he could keep one for himself. But alas, I wasn’t THAT nice to give mine away! Shame on me. But now I get to share it with you along with its little story. And perhaps this little story can inspired you also, to let go of your polaroid tightness and take a chance on those shots that come to you, versus those shots you keep seeking and saving for.
Do you practice polaroid generosity?