PhotoDude.com

Thu. Jul 12, 2001

The Decay of Film

The Decay of Film – And I ain’t talkin’ about the movies. Stories about companies that were once stock market darlings who are now about to be de-listed from Wall Street are nothing new. But in this case, it’s no dot-com that expected to make millions delivering toothbrushes by bike messengers. It’s Polaroid, on the verge of bankruptcy. Admittedly, most people wouldn’t miss Polaroid, as they’ve moved on to the New Instant Imaging, the digital camera. Thus, Polaroid’s woes. But there are many photographers, from the highest paid fashion shooters to the lowliest passport photo outlet, who rely on Polaroid for proofing and profit (it’s often marked it up 100% on their bills). And yes, there are a host of digital proofing solutions for most any situation, but try and go buy a box of it for $50 so you can get through a day’s shoot. A total corporate collapse is worrisome to all my brethren, however one would assume they will manage to restructure and continue producing product.

But wait, there’s more. Photo District News reports ”The Consumer Imaging Division of Eastman Kodak has announced that it will stop production of Kodachrome 25 color film later this year, making it the third Kodachrome film to be discontinued in the last two years.” Kodachrome 25 was the basis for much of the ”look” and imagery of National Geographic magazine for many decades. It long represented the standard by which other films were measured for sharpness and color. Now, it is gone, along with half the versions of Kodachrome sold a mere two years ago. As Paul Simon once said in his famous ode to this film, ”I can read the writing on the wall,” and with apologies to him, a lyrical update may be needed:

”Kodachrome

But Kodak done took my Kodachrome away”