Ode to the Polaroid

This is a perfect example of a photo that I probably wouldn't have been able to take if I hadn't been carrying a Polaroid (actually a $100 Fuji Instax) camera with me in addition to my regular camera.  The Instax was invaluable for my summer trip to Ladakh, India.

Older Ladakhis are often not keen to have their photo taken, which is totally understandable since they are photographed without permission and treated like zoo animals by hordes of camera-toting tourists. After having known the one on the left for 24 hours and NOT taking any photos (though I very much wanted to), I offered to make each of the ladies an instant print, as well as an extra for the grand-kids.

I asked them to sit by the green wall where I liked the light, and when I grabbed my camera and turned around they had both put on their sunglasses - Awesome! After making instant photos for each of them, they were happy to let me take a few shots for myself with my digital camera.

End result: Everyone was totally happy and the woman on the right invited me to visit her nomad camp - I wish I'd had the time to go. Total film cost: $2.25.

Tomorrow, it's off to Costco to make another 134 prints to mail off as a small thank you to some of the people who so generously let me into their lives.