Tips on How to Take Better Polaroid Photos

With the popularity of digital cameras today it is refreshing to see people who still use Polaroid cameras. Sure you can't take as many photos and the quality isn't going to be as good, but there is something nice about being able to immediately holding a photo in your hand instead of looking at one on a tiny screen. The tangible quality is what makes Polaroid cameras still popular today.

With the lack of technical settings on a Polaroid camera there is no need to worry about whether or not you are in the correct mode or any need to know much about cameras at all. It allows you to relax a little more and just have fun with taking pictures, knowing not to expect the best quality and leaving you surprised when you end up with something extraordinary.

If you are unsure of how your photo is going to turn out, just try it. Chances are even if it goes horribly wrong and looks nothing like what you had in mind, it will still turn out looking interesting or abstract. If you are unhappy with how your Polaroid turned out, edit it yourself. Draw on it, cut it up, scan it and mess with it in Photoshop; sometimes that is all it takes to turn a unsuccessful shoot into something amazing. Be creative.

Since Polaroid cameras can't get the same detail as more advanced cameras it helps to not have cluttered images. Put only the things you really want in the picture in the frame. Sometimes the really simple images are the most powerful.

Take your time. Be slow and patient. Make each shot count. Not only because the price of Polaroid film is so expensive, but also because the format itself makes each photo feel like a keeper. There is no delete button. Subject and composition are more important than any technical aspects of the camera so plan out the photo in your head before you take it.