Everyone has heard how Video Killed the Radio Star, but what many of us may not realize is how the Polaroid camera killed the negative. For decades, the exposure process was often considered a pain. But, by eliminating this step, instant exposure film could never be copied. A single memory could only live in one place.
Throughout the shooting and editing process, we were inspired by the photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who aimed to capture the “decisive moment” in his photography. Our idea could be explained by a phrase from Susan Sontag’s book, On Photography:
Throughout the shooting and editing process, we were inspired by the photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who aimed to capture the “decisive moment” in his photography. Our idea could be explained by a phrase from Susan Sontag’s book, On Photography:
Photographs may be more memorable than moving images, because they are a neat slice of time, not a flow. Each still photograph is a privileged moment, turned into a slim object that one can keep and look at again.
For our series “Polaroid Killed the Negative,” we decided to create something that could never exist--the negative image of a polaroid. In the world of photography, a negative can be duplicated over and over again, akin to the background scenery of our lives. The positive image represents moments that can never happen again, similar to Polaroids that can never be reproduced.
Luckily enough, you can look at our photographs as many times as you like, so feel free to enjoy a few moments with us.
Luckily enough, you can look at our photographs as many times as you like, so feel free to enjoy a few moments with us.
Photographs by: Aidan Moore and Aizhan Myrzabek Kyzy