Old Polaroid photo from 1981

This photo was specially scanned and uploaded for Sonja!

This is a Polaroid from my 13th birthday, back in 1981. Although the image has taken on a yellowish tinge and faded a bit over the years, it's still quite clear as to what the photo is about. So, it is possible for Polaroid photos to last more than 36 years. (Wow, has it really been that long?!)

I'm in the center of the photo, with my younger brother and sister to my right, my mother behind me, and my neighbor friend to my left. My dad is taking the photo.



4 comments so far...

Sonja November 05, 2017, 06:14 PM
Well, I guess for mere memory purpose this is a rather good instant camera picture, although it is of course sad the design on the cake is hardly recognizable. :o(
Colors in peoples faces are still quite "human", and I guess this is not only caused by the medium itself but the light sources in such a family home of the time, that would be a classic edison bulb. Way more red in there to begin with than in a dusty industrial space lit by sparse white neon pipes and dirty roof windows.

I'd rather not scan Karl's lovely green image for comparison, in part not only for the fact that they original where likely very differnt hues to start, I would not know how to contact the guy who took it and the husband might not apreciate it, but because I am not sure it is legal to this day.
That dude could have been fired and the company sued by the customer if security cought himsneaking a camera into the plant by the gate there, you see. It was just a young lad not meaning harm and not thinking a lot at all but when the next higher boss learned of the fun there was a lot of berating and cussing, also at the programmer and all other elder collegues just standing by and suffering snapshots with good humor. As far as I know the instant camera did not make it back out alive because the responsible job site manager took it very seriously to cover up all evidence and minimize risk.... he just might get a heartburn if learning I still got two of the shots and talk about the story 25 years later to strangers without mentioning any lastnames and brands involved, I guess -- LOL

David B November 05, 2017, 09:24 PM
Yes, I agree with you that the lighting conditions, at the time, probably make a big difference as to the longevity of a Polaroid photo.

The details in the photo, like the cake decorations, are not that good. I don't think they ever really were with this particular camera's technology back then. This camera didn't have an electronic flash, but used flash bulbs. So, typically, fine details were washed out.

On the plus side, I like how these Polaroid-type photos age; it adds even more nostalgia to the picture, for me. Kind of like watching a classic movie in black and white. Watching it in vivid/remastered lifelike colour would take something away from it. But, that's just me and my silly sentimentality. LOL!

I guess I'm just fortunate that these Polaroids haven't self-destructed; as they apparently can do.

Marvin Matthews January 13, 2018, 06:54 PM
I too, have a lot of old, and very old picture, love them. This is great.
David B January 13, 2018, 09:02 PM
Thanks, Marvin! Yes, these old Polaroid photos actually seem to have held up pretty good, over the years. If you can upload some of your Polaroids to your 23 account, maybe you would consider adding them to my Instant Photos group.. :o)

David.




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