Who doesn’t have fond memories involving a Polaroid camera? The unmistakable sound of the camera spitting out your image. The anticipation as the shot slowly develops. The instant gratification and keepsake. So it’s no wonder that there was such a public outcry when Polaroid announced it was discontinuing production of its instant film last year.

The Impossible Project to the rescue! Led by Austrian photographer Florian Kaps, the project’s aim is to reinvent instant film from the ground up and have it ready for production by next year. Read more about their remarkable story here.

As everything is quickly becoming digital, what is our fascination with the analog? Whatever it is, Polaroid isn’t going anywhere soon. There are hundreds of Flickr groups dedicated to Polaroid film. A documentary film in the works about the last year of Polaroid. There are dozens of iPhone apps that mimic the look and feel of Polaroid. And let’s not forget the 2003 mantra “Shake it like a Polaroid picture.” Any others that I’m missing? What analog antiques are you holding on to?

UPDATE: Great news! Because of The Impossible Project’s efforts, Polaroid’s parent company has announced that they will relaunch some of their most popular Instant Cameras! More here.

Image: David Hockney via