The first issue of
dpii as a pdf magazine. Click on cover to download
... it take about 30 seconds on a broadband connection.
A
change of direction, or at least of format ~ Part II
My experiment is sort of working.
A fairly large proportion of the visitors to this site are bothering to
download the PDF magazine which I find satisfying. But it isn't a
convenient way of passing on news or views, so I am going to continue
with some normal HTML pages.
I guess the big news of the past few weeks
has been Polaroid's announcement of its intention to cease making instant
film. It was not unexpected ... the wonder is that it took so long once
the company passed into the hands of equity partners ... but the tumult
which followed was less predictable.
One result of the outrage and outpourings of
grief is a new web site, savepolaroid.com,
which contains links to all sorts of sites including a number that are
soliciting signatures to Save The Polaroid petitions. 
It's a blog which despite its predictability is a heart-felt plea to save
the film. I think that's unlikely given the present management (I'd be
happy to be proved wrong), but it could be attractive to one of the small
European or Asian companies which have done so much to rescue other technologies
abandoned by larger concerns.
Although in this case many people are encouraging
Fuji or Ilford to consider licensing the technology.
Another (linked) site even explores the option of bringing
a class action against the company in an effort to ensure the continuation
of the film.
Personally, I have love hate relationship
with Polaroid but I'd still like to have the option of using my 4 x 5
back when I feel so inclined.
For owners of the Polaroid
405 and 4 x 5 backs the option of using Fuji instant film remains,
and so far Fuji shows no real signs of abandoning film —
the reverse if anything.
The company is still manufacturing both colour and black and white emulsions,
although alas, Fuji does not have a pos/neg film to replace Type 55. www.fujifilmusa.com.
Alternative Photography
For the past year or so I have been a subscriber
to AlternativePhotography's
newsletter. Both the enewsletter and the site itself, are mines of information
on older and alternative photography processes. And yes, Polaroid has
featured for some considerable time.
It is hard to know which is the most impressive
part of the site — the extensive how-to pages on almost forgotten
processes, or the even more extensive galleries of images. Both are simply
amazing. It's a site I suggest any one interested in photography (even
digital practioners) would benefit from visiting.
