Po·lar·oid

noun

1. A photograph taken with a Polaroid camera.
2. Denoting a type of camera with internal processing that produces a finished print rapidly after each exposure.

These phenomenal and instant cameras uses self-developing film to create a chemically

developed print shortly after taking the picture. They are called polaroid cameras.

In the past 73 years, polaroid cameras have been creating long lasting memories. They have been brought around the world through travels, or brought out during late nights out with friends.

“It’s definitely one of the coolest things I’ve ever bought before. I saw polaroid cameras all over Instagram and Pintrest and just had to get one. The pictures come out instantly and right away I’m thrilled to see them and hang them in my room. [a Polaroid camera is] definitely an awesome buy,” says senior Lauren Goetz.

According to Poloridod.com, in 1926, Edwin H. Land, founder of the overall polaroid type cameras, took his first step to a successful career in the photography world. On November 26, 1948, the first Land camera (named after Edwin H. Land) was sold for $89.95 at Jordan Marsh department store in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1963, Polaroid introduced Polacolor, the first instant color film camera.

In 2014, according to Polariod.com, Polaroid came out with a new type of camera: The Polaroid Cube. It’s the newest and smallest polaroid lifestyle action camera. The 35mm camera is weatherproof, shockproof, mountable, and packed with 1080p HD video, 124° wide-angle lens, and built-in battery that records up to 90 minutes. This polaroid sells for $55.0 and takes up to 10 pictures.

Many students at Arrowhead High School say they find polaroid cameras both a fun way to create and remember memories, as well as a cute and chic fashion accessory to have in their bags/purses.

“I got a polaroid camera last Christmas and I just about use it every weekend when I’m with my friends. I take it to restaurants, stores, museums just about everywhere you can think. Once I have the pictures in my hands, I put them up all over my room to show some of the crazy memories that my friends and I made together,” says senior, Bryn Bierman.

You can find them at just about any department store or technology store. Urban outfitters sells the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera for $100 — a different brand of polaroid type cameras — and Amazon sells the Polaroid PIC-300 Instant Film Camera for 79.99, whereas Target sells the Polaroid 300 Instant Camera for $79.99.

But if you purchase a polaroid camera, you also need to purchase film. Film can cost up to $30 to $55 depending on how much you want, according to Urbanoutfitters.com. Additionally, most of the film packages can have around 10-12 film pictures in them depending on the package you buy and where you buy it from. Film is usually sold with the polaroids cameras in a pack but can be found at the stores that sell the cameras.

“I got [my polaroid] for Christmas and I have really tried to save the film since it is so expensive, but it really is so cool. To have your pictures come out right away and almost look vintage like, it’s just awesome. I haven’t had a problem with the quality of the pictures yet, every picture I have taken has really turned out great,” says senior, Colette Stich.