Why are square, chemical-smelling photographs suddenly cool again? This article traces the Polaroid comeback-from the attic to influencer feeds-by unpacking nostalgia, tactile craving, DIY culture, and savvy marketing.
A close look at the emotional tug-of-war between classic instant film and the new generation of digital instant cameras - what each offers, what each takes away, and why the debate about authenticity is mostly about what we want photographs to be: evidence or relic.
From the tactile thrill of a developing Polaroid to the curated scroll of modern feeds, instant cameras rewired how we make and share memories. This piece traces the Polaroid’s influence on aesthetics, narrative practice, and the persistent hunger for tangible authenticity in a pixelated world.