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While some respected artists such as Warhol, Mapplethorpe, and French were known to use polaroid images, they are mostly consigned to the amateur realm. Today we will look at 10 from that end of the spectrum, whic isn't to say they might not have been sold or traded. We start with a nice looking young man in a photo that shows the technical shortcomings of the type.
And yet those technical shortcomings frequently create or enhance an elusive and presumably accidental charm rarely to be found among more obviously "artistic" images, with their controlled effects and their polish. There was a great exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA, several years ago, called "Accidental Mysteries"--unpretentious, amateur snapshots that, when you really look at them, tell amazing things about the people and places they record. Polaroids--most often spontaneously and imperfectly framed, practically always poorly preserved--retain that sense of the ephemeral and the mysterious that I like. Thanks for these!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I appreciate your input on the topic.
DeleteI have had more then a few end up like this. My cousin, who is also gay got a Polaroid just for this reason. I was always surprised at how many guys, regardless if they were gay or straight enjoyed posing!
ReplyDeleteAlmost everyone likes to be admired on some level.
DeleteAnd frankly, women rarely let a man know he is physically attractive.
DeleteI worked in the camera department of a local department store from 1969-1974. Polaroid was the only "safe" way to go for this type of photography at the time. Overzealous commercial photofinishers were known to target photos like these during quality inspection and would often turn over the customer information from the transmittal envelope to the local police. In some parts of the country, that meant arrest, especially if the nudes were of men.
ReplyDeleteHappily those days are gone, but vigilance remains necessary.
DeleteEarly Polaroids required that you had to smear a developing gel on the photo and let it dry. ( hence the smears on this Polaroid )Polaroid came out with the film packs where this was no longer required ….:)
ReplyDeleteI remember the smell of that gel.
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