Polaroid Photo Tour Vienna: Urban

We did the Urban Vienna Polaroid Tour with Gilbert and enjoyed a really unique experience. Taking Polaroid photographs was new to both my wife and I but Gilbert started the tour with a very informative overview on the camera's operation and then consistently checked back with us throughout to give useful feedback in order for us to get the best possible shots. This is no gimmick, they really believe that this "old" technology offers something distinctly different from digital photography, and the results show that they're right. Along with the camera, you receive a cartridge allowing you to take 8 shots. (You can purchase more if you wish.) In an age when we all snap photos indiscriminately, and sort out the crap later (or never), there was something special about having a limited number of precious shots. It forces you to evaluate your subject matter more closely than usually, to spend more time framing shots and in, essence to look at the tour route through your viewfinder. This had an amazing and even therapeutic effect on us. The Vienna crowds seemed to disappear as we strolled by looking for that perfect shot. In the end, we had a fun, interesting time and ended up with some cool photos, although my technique could still use a little work.