Instant Love: How to Make Magic and Memories with Polaroids

by Jenifer Altman, Susannah Conway, Amanda Gilligan

With instant film once again available, Polaroids and other instant cameras are enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This friendly and informative guide is the essential how-to book for shooting gorgeous instant pictures with personal panache and a touch of romance. Packed with tips on how to shoot with various cameras, details about the different types of film available, advice on composition and lighting techniques, plus creative projects to transform snapshots into keepsake mementos and portfolios of beautiful images for inspiration, this is the ultimate companion for capturing instant memories.

Genres: Photography, Art, Nonfiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 4, 2012

Reviews

[Mary Pauline M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as an ebook from the library. The authors really know their topic. I'm a photography enthusiast and am contemplating a midlife career change. I stumbled across this ebook doing research for continuing my photographic education. While Polaroids and instant film is not a focus of mine..no pun intended. I decided to read the book and knew early on I wasn't going to be disappointed. Not only was there a wealth of knowledge shared about Polaroids and instant film, but the foundation of photography was covered as well.

[Ellen Airgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative, fun, inspiring. I checked this book out of the library, but I'd like to own it so I can keep looking at the Polaroids included. I made a tiny album before I ever read the book, "Christmas Vacation, 2019," simple, straightforward, and satisfying, but I'm now making my second small project: "Around My House: Objects I Love," moved to it by the authors' love of their subject.

The tangible aspect of instant photos captured my heart the moment the first one churned out of our new Polaroid Onestep2. Many of my photos so far are terrible. Clearly, instant photography requires a knack and I don't yet have it, but 1)I'm in love nonetheless, and 2) Every now and then, I nail it. A deep thrill hums through me.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative when it came to vintage cameras, but it did not help me resolve my grievances with the modern Fujifilm Instax line of cameras. I tried out the advice about lighting and composition, but no, the Instax Mini just sucks (viewfinder is way off center, each picture is overexposed, light sensors can't seem to handle any contrast whatsoever, etc.). This isn't the book's fault, as it was published ten years ago and Fujifilm has had all that time to improve upon the Mini and they've only made it worse (the Mini 8 I had was better than the Mini 11 I got a year ago, and I'd keep using it if I hadn't broken it). But I don't know, the fact that the book is filled with super lovely photos other people have taken fills me with vexation because I'm still not able to achieve those results despite so much time spent tinkering. I think at some point I'm going to want to try out Polaroid cameras, but that's an expensive hobby which I can't currently afford.
But yeah, overall I liked the book fine. The art project section near the end did nothing for me because I didn't find those projects attractive. Much less attractive than the fuzzy pastel dreamworlds captured within white squares, really.

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit uneven in the introductory to advanced photography content. Starts with exhaustive info on certain camera models then switches gears to general composition and lighting advice for all types of instant film without giving specific advice for the camera and film previously discussed. Nice sample images for inspiration. Good read overall but not as much a how to as it is things you should know before talking to other instant photographers.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I thought it would be. I was hoping for a book with photos, w. the stories behind the photos. Stories of love & memory. You get way more on the history of instant cameras & how to take photos.

[insy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so tempted to buy every instant camera I lay my eyes on right now. Ah!!! Can't wait to create and make art ♡

[A L Stalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended.

[Garrett Wank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read.

[Sherilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful and creative. Altho, I won't be completing any projects with Polaroids - it was inspiring and generated ideas, as well as, spur out of the box thinking.

[Barb Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valuable how-to info about different cameras, as well as examples of compositions and exposures. There are also tutorials on unique techniques, display and storage ideas. Useful book, I just wish it had a bit more magic in the way it was written. I tend to like less technical and more wordy styles, but overall well worth reading and an excellent reference.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a Polaroid 600 in my house recently and, being 12, really did not know much a about instant film or, really, what to do with this camera. After reading this, though, I have so many project ideas, know what kind of film i need, and just have more general knowledge about instant cameras themselves! Really great book!

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love the look of a great Polaroid? This book is for 'roid photographers and vintage lovers alike. You'll learn a lot about Polaroid photography and enjoy many wonderful images, too. Great book. Need to own it.

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative and inspirational.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely little book about how to shoot with a polaroid camera. I'm hoping it's going to unlock the mysteries for me. I feel like I have a better idea now, but have yet to test my new knowledge.

[Vivien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good basic book!

[Elaine Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't like looking at beautiful Polaroids and reading all about these fabulous cameras?

[Nendra Gunawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't have Polaroid but I find the book very useful to learn more on photography

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good overview of polaroids.

[Sunjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

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[ℋɑɳɳɑɧ ☣ · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most inspiring books