Polaroid Color i-Type Retinex Edition Film

The Polaroid Color i-Type Retinex Edition Film is an addition to Polaroid’s range of instant film that opens up a whole new dimension of color perception and creativity. This film, inspired by Edwin Land’s pioneering Retinex theory, offers photographers the opportunity to see the world through a kaleidoscope of vibrant, often confusing colors.

The Retinex film, manufactured at a Polaroid factory in the Netherlands, presents ten unique frame designs in a twin pack containing a total of 16 photos. Each frame contains a red dot whose perception changes depending on the surrounding colors, resulting in an intriguing and sometimes misleading visual experience.

The theory behind the Retinex film is rooted in Edwin Land’s research into color constancy from the early 1970s. This fascinating facet of human perception shows how we perceive the color of an object as constant, regardless of different lighting conditions. Land developed the Retinex Theory, which states that our brains and eyes work together to “see” colors that are not physically present.

The Polaroid Color i-Type Retinex Edition film uses these findings to challenge and reinterpret color perception. It allows photographers to capture everyday scenes in a new, vibrant light and invites them to explore unimagined realms of color creativity. This film offers not only an exciting photographic experience, but also a playful exploration of our perception of color.

Format and cameras

The Polaroid Color i-Type Retinex Edition film is specially designed for the latest Polaroid and Impossible camera models. It is not compatible with older models such as the Polaroid 600 or Polaroid SX-70 cameras. The films are available from the Polaroid online shop, with each pack containing two cartridges of eight shots. One pack costs around 34 euros.

This special edition stands out from conventional instant films due to its unique frames and the associated color dynamics. The development process of the images begins immediately after ejection and usually takes around 15 minutes, providing photographers with instant feedback and an immediate visual reward.