i have an idea that would require multiple people to sacrifice a pack of polaroid for the greater good. trying different methods to make new film old before it's time. i realize that any method will end up with mostly arbitrary results, depending on the film and environmental factors...but it could be fun just to see what happens! and if multiple people are willing to try this, then the 'hurt' isn't so bad from the possible destruction of a perfectly good pack of polaroid. if it works, might make a good 'feature article'.
here are some of my ideas:
- soak in water and let dry completely, then use...might just make the paper wrinkly.
- soak in some chemical...leon might be helpful here, as i have no idea what might neutralize developer (which i realize is in little packets, but who knows what could get through) or the paper, screwing up the pack totally.
- leave out in the sun/outside for awhile (not sure how long it would take to dry it out, though...probably not long here where it's 110 F) -- foil on/off?
- bury in soil (without foil of course), leave for a week...damp would be good.
- microwave?
- tape to roof of car for awhile.
- EXTREME cold?
- spit in the pack a lot and let it dry? or let your dog do it...
- leave it in the catbox for a couple days.
- fry it up in a pan
any other ideas?
one way of not ruining a whole pack would be to use some remaining shots, so all you know you've lost for sure is the shot on top, while those underneath would suffer your abuse.
i wonder if the expiration of polaroid is mostly due to the developer going bad, or the paper itself, or a combo of both. seems like paper should last a long time, but 20 years is a long time for anything photo related.
anyway...just a possible fun exercise.
sean