Would a polaroid be a good idea for a "birthday" present for my nephew?

[Zain]

My nephew is turning one. I was thinking of getting a polaroid for them to take pictures of him as he begins to grow. I've always thought that these were more intimate and appealing than digital photos. No one really goes to get digital photos processed and printed anyway. Any thoughts?

 

[tree]

So, the camera isn't really for the nephew, it's for the parents?

 

[Zain]

So, the camera isn't really for the nephew, it's for the parents?

Well I don't really know what to get for a 1 year old.
It's really for all of them. They can take pictures of him whenever they want and think it's important to keep and store around the house, like at important milestones, etc. Figured it'd be more valuable than something material since everyone else will probably be getting clothes or toys anyway.
It'd be good for them to look back on without having to sift through thousands of photos (in the future).

 

[Judge]

No one really goes to get digital photos processed and printed anyway. Any thoughts?

Exactly. No one goes to have digital pictures processed because it is done in the camera, and the images can be shared through wireless, online technology.

In a largely paperless society, unless you're my age you aren't likely to find many people who see the value of images printed on paper. Particularly involving Polaroid technology that demands an absurd cost of film per image, apart from the camera itself.

Intimate and appealing? I don't think so. No more than a telephone with a rotary dial. The most "intimate" photos I ever took were done with a film camera. The trick? I did my own b/w developing many years ago. And a girlfriend anxious to pose for them. Though much later thrilled to be able to do much better work digitally.

It's why my Polaroid Spectra I got for free has remained in my closet for decades. A poor value given the cost of film.

Amazon.com : polaroid spectra film

 

[Tired]

In a largely paperless society, unless you're my age you aren't likely to find many people who see the value of images printed on paper.

Maybe that's how it's in America, but in Slavic countries we all still print digital photos, make albums and put photos in frames on the wall or shelves. That's just what everyone does here.

 

[Judge]

Maybe that's how it's in America, but in Slavic countries we all still print digital photos, make albums and put photos in frames on the wall or shelves. That's just what everyone does here.

Most everything is marketed to sharing files here. Besides, the cost of printer ink is criminal here.

 

[Lou Laurinen]

Maybe that's how it's in America, but in Slavic countries we all still print digital photos, make albums and put photos in frames on the wall or shelves. That's just what everyone does here.

I live in America, and my husband and I prefer printed and framed photos to digital files, every room in our house has photos all over the walls.

We've gotten a lot of comments from people saying it's weird that we still have physical copies of photos, our response was "It's weird that you don't." Lol

 

[Judge]

I live in America, and my husband and I prefer printed and framed photos to digital files, every room in our house has photos all over the walls.

Mine too...though I feel like paying for inkjet ink is like having a serious drug addiction given the outrageous cost for a few drops in a cartridge. Plus the cost of photo paper as well.

 

[Lou Laurinen]

Mine too...though I feel like paying for inkjet ink is like having a serious drug addiction given the outrageous cost for a few drops in a cartridge. Plus the cost of photo paper as well.

It is super expensive! We have a Kodak Dock photo printer where you only have to change one big cartridge once in a while instead of all the individual ones, and when we print large photos and artwork, we find that it's more cost-efficient to print them at CVS or Walmart.

 

[Judge]

It is super expensive! We have a Kodak Dock photo printer where you only have to change one big cartridge once in a while instead of all the individual ones, and when we print large photos and artwork, we find that it's more cost-efficient to print them at CVS or Walmart.

It is kind of bittersweet for me for just a single reason. I have an old HP Envy 5530 and it prints magnificently on photo paper. But it's also incredibly picky about the paper I have to purchase for optimal quality.

And why you see so many smaller frames on my walls.

 

[Jenisautistic]

I have a Polaroid and I’m on the fence on recommending it

I also gave one to my.com habs four year-old baby

And he loves it
It’s a little expensive to replace film, but it may be worth it

 

[velociraptor]

No one goes to have digital pictures processed

Online printing. Dirt cheap and shows up in the mail.

I have a Polaroid and I’m on the fence on recommending it

The opposite of dirt cheap. The new film from Polaroid (Impossible Project) is not the same formulation as classic Polaroid prints and is not even close to archival quality. Don't recommend.

Yes I own and use Polaroids, but am aware of the limitations. Go for Instax if you want a print that lasts longer.

 

[Judge]

Online printing. Dirt cheap and shows up in the mail.

I suspect you prolifically print your fine work regularly. However I have no idea about such costs in your country. Here greed runs largely unchecked and deregulated on so many levels. Consequently here very little is "dirt cheap" these days.

I don't print often. And I still recall sitting on a very expensive "XL" ink cartridge over time that eventually dried up as well. So subscribing to an inkjet printer company for ink makes no sense for me.

"Ridiculously High" :

Printer Ink Prices Are Ridiculously High. Here's Why

 

[Masked Man]

So obviously the gift is for the parents, not the kid.

He's turning 1, he's not going to know one way or the other. You could give him a box and he'd be happy.

I think the question to ask yourself is: would the parents appreciate it? Is this something that they would want, use, and appreciate?

Too many times people give gifts that they (the giver) would want, not what the receiver would want.

 

[Judge]

Too many times people give gifts that they (the giver) would want, not what the receiver would want.

Good point.

It would seem that this is more central to actual question than any other consideration.

 

[Tired]

I don't really know what to get for a 1 year old.

Educational and fun toys didn't come to your mind?

 

[Judge]

Educational and fun toys didn't come to your mind?

Or accessing a search engine within the grasp of one's fingers on a keyboard.

https://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/development/growth/first-birthday-gift-ideas/

 

[Mary Terry]

Maybe that's how it's in America, but in Slavic countries we all still print digital photos, make albums and put photos in frames on the wall or shelves. That's just what everyone does here.

A great many Americans do that, too. We can easily print digital photographs at various local stores and at least one of my friends has an attachment for her cell phone to print them at home.

 

[Mary Terry]

The parents might appreciate a case of diapers as much as a new camera. Have you priced diapers lately? They are shockingly expensive.

 

[Judge]

A great many Americans do that, too. We can easily print digital photographs at various local stores and at least one of my friends has an attachment for her cell phone to print them at home.

Ironically when I visualize this, it reflects how someone of our age group who would instantly draw photographs from our wallets to show our grandchildren.

Yet would this be the same for your children and their generation ? I'm guessing they'd be more prone to simply whipping out their cellphone to display a multitude of digitized images in an instant. Keeping in mind the median age of our particular society is around 39 years.

Though one thing I completely agree upon. That seeking a retail outlet that allows one to print their digital pictures is the only cost-effective method available, unless one has money to burn when printing them on an inkjet printer. Something I learned from my own brother, who once worked in Walmart's photographic department.

Not to mention that IMO getting an inkjet printer to work optimally is often beyond the ability of the average computer user, or simply just too exasperating for those without ample amounts of patience. Reminds me of how my cousin simply gave her color printer to me, having given up on trying to learn all the things required to deliver quality photographs.

Polaroid cameras still have some value in terms of capturing spontaneous moments. That much is true. However the value of that must inevitably be compared to the value of the cost and availability of film, and whether or not you are talking about a real Polaroid camera, or a cheap and inferior knock-off version.

In essence it all boils down the competition between the cellphone industry and personal computing printers. Both with their unique ways of perpetually robbing consumers of their hard-earned money as opposed to (heaven forbid) merely supplying perceived demand. With no apparent challengers in the market to offer considerably more product for less money. Reminding us all that it's not about who "builds a better mousetrap", but rather those who market the mousetrap more effectively.