i don't know why.
i'm not trying to be edgy. (at least i don't think i am)
i hate edgy.
my polaroid camera is too bulky for a pocket. too bulky for some bags.
regardless of the quality of the shot. it has cost over £1.
but each photo is itself a piece of art.
something immediately tangible.
passed between friends. scribbled on.
born framed.
my Holga has the same logistical drawbacks.
each roll of 120 film costs in excess of £10 to develop.
few photo processing shops house the equipment to do it.
the prints often draw a blank.
but each image that does come back holds excitement. anticipation.
a double exposure. leaked light. that vignette.
my point and shoot film camera still doesn't fit in a pocket.
the films cost. the developing costs.
beautifully taken shots are returned scarred and overexposed.
moments are lost.
but every mechanical click and whir.
every wait.
every film returned.
brings something aberrant.
taking photos on my digital camera is free.
the image is high quality.
it can be digitally enhanced and altered.
it can be seen instantly.
but can be as quickly erased.
it has no imperfections.
no character.
no charm.
each image will spend it's entire life lost in a sea of thousands just like it.
inside an electric box. on my hard drive.
a salient comparison might be a relationship with, say, a woman.
one who is attractive will draw you in straight away.
she is modern. trendy.
immediately you can see that you like her.
you feel you know everything about her from one electric encounter.
everything seems ideal.
however this transparency soon becomes boring.
there is nothing more to her.
cue detachment.
she ends up a forgotten memory in that black book with many just like her.
but that girl who keeps a bit back.
the one that requires time (and money) for anything to develop.
her imperfections become endearing. personal. lovable.
each time you look at her your love grows.
she is timeless. a real one off. a treasured gift.
she is the one you keep hold of.
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