Seven Famous Photographers Who Used Polaroids

For artists such as Andy Warhol and Ansel Adams, the Polaroid SX-70 was the digital camera of its day

Imogen + Hermiane Pembroke Studios, London 30th July 1982 (David Hockney, Composite Polaroid 31 1/2” x 24 1/2”, © David Hockney)

smithsonian.com
February 22, 2012

David Hockney, Imogen + Hermiane Pembroke Studios, London 30th July 1982

Polaroid took a step forward in both form and function when it released its sleek SX-70 in April of 1972. “Don’t undertake a project, unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible,” said Polaroid co-founder Edwin Land. The immediacy provided by a lack of peel-apart film made it the digital camera of its day. Notable photographers and artists, including Lucas Samaras and Andy Warhol, made creative use of the medium, while famous figures of the time were captured in the distinctive Polaroid style.

British pop artist David Hockney’s beautiful composite of 63 Polaroid SX-70 images sold for $194,500 at the 2010 Sotheby’s auction of the Polaroid Collection.