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Vintage 1972 Polaroids Portray Rich, Distinctive Color

Vintage 1972 Polaroids Portray Rich, Distinctive Color

New to my collection of old photographs, these wonderfully composed vintage Polaroids are admirable for their lovely color and for the ability of the photographer

Most of my small photography collection consists of antique photographs shot and printed before the year 1900, but when I found these two wonderful Polaroids in a shop recently, I couldn’t resist picking them up.

Let me explain why.


Modern Polaroid Cameras and Film on Amazon


Wonderful color and compositions

I’m well-known for my preference for monochrome images. I shoot exclusively in black and white, and most of my antique photograph collection consists of monochrome prints. For me to select color photographs — especially photographs made so recently — there has to be something very special about the images. And these images are special.

The photographs shown here transcend ordinary snapshots — the kind I so often flip through in dusty cartons at shops or estate sales. Many of the family snapshots I see are poorly composed, faded, out of focus, or just boring.

These two companion images are none of those things. The photographer was clearly skilled, with a good eye for composition. Mix in the deliciously vibrant yet subtle coloration of those early ’70s Polaroid prints, and WOW!

Polaroid Portrait of a Young Woman Circa 1972

Polaroid photograph of a young woman in a blue dress that beautifully matches the color of the sky. Photographer unknown, Ohio, Probably circa 1972.

I really enjoy her straight-forward, unselfconscious pose, centered in the frame. Since the companion photograph (below) shows a car with Ohio plates, dated 1972, I’m making assumptions both photos were taken in that place and in that year.

The Midwestern landscape is proportioned wonderfully behind her, with the hilltop crossing behind her at mid-torso, placing her head-and-shoulders above the horizon. The landscape is essentially monochrome and dark, with hints of golden hour light, helping it recede from our attention and highlighting her as the most prominent part of the image. Her long shadow stretching back over the grass is barely noticeable.

Overall, the color scheme is blue-green and orange — complementary colors that are often favored by cinematographers. Somehow, by design or by luck, the pale blue color of her dress matches beautifully with the color of the sky. Her skin color is warmed by the glow of the setting sun. The sky, her dress, the color of her skin, even the pin on her collar all support the color scheme.

Polaroid Photograph of a Ford Custom with 1972 Ohio Plates

Polaroid photograph of a Ford Custom, possibly mid-60s model, with Ohio license plates dated 1972. Photographer unknown.
Polaroid photograph of a Ford Custom, possibly mid-60s model, with Ohio license plates dated 1972. Photographer unknown.

Just as with the portrait of the young lady, the light and color is managed beautifully by the Polaroid camera and film in this photograph of a (I think) mid-1960s Ford Custom. Here, we see a dark blue or black car taken during blue hour. The three-quarter view of the classic car, the vintage film, the coloration, it all works so perfectly to my eye. And there’s a pleasing amount of detail.

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