Taking a Closer Look at a Camera

Topic: Material Culture

Source: Taking pictures with my Polaroid camera in my room on Saturday, September 17th.

Relation: Looking closer into how a Polaroid camera can be observed to see the relation between this object and our culture.

Description: Yesterday while sitting in my room I decided to take a couple Polaroids because I was bored. I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to analyse my camera as a cultural artifact, like we did in class, and to share my analysis through this blog.  

At a first glance this object looks like a plain little block of black plastic with a strap hanging from it and a couple of words written on it. But, when the flash is flipped upwards, the camera takes a whole new shape. Now it has even more words written on it, the lens is showing, and there are a few more switches that can be turned off and on. The Polaroid camera, other than the basic disposable film camera that you easily find a buy, is the easiest camera I have ever used. Yet, if someone from another cultural who might not have contact with any form of photography would look at this object and have no clue what it was.

Analysis: There are several factors to this devise that can be further analysed such as: the words written on it, various symbols, the different buttons and switches that can be used, and how to use it. 

I have a Polaroid Sun600. This is the brand name which means that there is more Polaroids manufactured that probably have different names other than the Sun600. There is a little squiggly lightning bolt symbol on the top of the flash which represents the flash and when it's turned off and on.  To properly use this camera the user must know how to operate it and what these symbols and flashing lights mean. There is a button to push to take a photo and another bellow it to put film into the camera. This shows that the photographer must be able to know how to buy film, which type of film to buy, and how to install it properly. It also shows that there is probably a large market involved with Polaroids because they are able to sell cameras, film, and accessories.

Through the process of observing my camera a little closer I was able to see how this object in a symbol of consumerism and marketing and the importance of these things in our American culture.