Polaroids are one of the most fun photos to do D.I.Y crafts with. Not only are they easy to create and shoot, but their shape lends themselves to easy crafts. Here are a few of the best Polaroid projects and a few tips for shooting amazing Polaroid photographs.
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Polaroid Coasters
One of the first things you can make is polaroid coasters. You only need your camera film, small white tiles, Modge Podge, clear acrylic paint, and sponges. Not only are these quick and easy to make, but they can last for multiple years.
If you don’t want coasters, you can use the same process to create decorative pieces protected against the elements you can put on display.
Polaroid Lampshade
One of the more unique things you can do is create a Polaroid lampshade. While techniques vary, they are all relatively simple and don’t require many supplies, meaning you can make multiple in one day.
The process also works on various lampshade shapes and sizes, meaning you can create as many as you want and have one in every room of your house.
Oversized Display
Another simple but incredibly eye-catching project you can make is an oversized display. You have a variety of options, but the general idea is to have a large corkboard, frame, or wooden board that you fill with photos.
You can make these boards far more interesting, too, by adding a map in the middle and pinning photos near the countries you have been to. It is a simple yet effective design choice that can make a handful of relatively simple photos look far more interesting. If you can print your Polaroids at home, you can make multiple giant displays in a few hours, too.
Polaroid Shelving Units
If you have the space and money available, a shelving unit dedicated to your polaroids is another very interesting and beautiful design choice. There are a few ways you can go about adding your photos to the shelves.
The first is putting each photo in a frame and setting all the frames up; the second is to use cord or thread to hang the photos as if they were Christmas decorations. The benefit of using a shelving unit is that it makes the design all about the photos and draws people in.
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Scrapbook
Finally, you can really express yourself using a scrapbook. Considering scrapbooks are designed for almost all types of artistic expression, they are brilliant for adding photos and then whatever else you may feel, like some sand from the beach you visited, a flower, a coin, whatever it may be.
A scrapbook allows you to tell the story of the photo or the holiday you were on, without having to take dozens and dozens of photos.
Tips for Shooting the Best Polaroids
Taking polaroid photos isn’t as easy as simply pointing the camera and clicking. There is a bit more to keep in mind to ensure that your photos come out perfectly.
Keep the Camera & Film Cool
The first thing to remember is that polaroid films and cameras do not respond well to lengthy exposure to heat. Too much sun and heat can damage both the camera and the film and lead to cloudy or blurred photos or photos with poorly developed color.
Therefore, it is best to keep your camera and film in a dry, cool place when they are not in use. On very hot days, sticking your film in the fridge is a great way to stop it from overheating and becoming damaged.
Light
Polaroid photos love light; the more light there is, the better the quality of the photo. While this doesn’t mean you should point a light directly at it or shoot into the sun, it is more about when and how you take photos.
Always ensure that the subject of the photo is well-lit, as polaroids can also make shadows look a bit worse if the light isn’t correct. Once again, it’s not that you can only take photos on bright days; they are just often the best times.
Photo Storage
Another mistake that many people tend to make, especially when they first get their polaroid camera, is that they don’t store their photos correctly. Polaroid photos rely on a chemical reaction; disturbing this reaction can ruin your photos, which is why it is not recommend to shake your polaroids.
Considering light exposure is bad for this reaction, it is suggested that you keep your polaroids in a dark place for at least 30 days after you first take. This will give the chemical reaction more than enough time to finish and settle.
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Traveling with Film
Finally, if you are traveling and flying with your film, it is very important to not let it get scanned by x-ray when going through security. The X-ray can severely damage the film and leave any images you take with it blurry, cloudy, and pink.
Therefore, it is best to keep your camera and film in a separate bag and ask security to search it by hand.
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