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Pogo – Another chance
October 7th, 2008
I spent today wandering around the Newari town of Bhaktapur. I love this place. It’s less than an hour outside of Kathmandu and a world away. It’s quiet and has a distinctly different flavour. Sure, the main square is littered with tourists, but it’s hard to fault the place for that. Wander off the beaten path and you lose them quickly. I shot all morning, and in 3 hours had given away 20 prints from the Pogo printer I’ve been carrying with me.
My time in Ladakh confirmed how much I like this printer, but in 3 these hours I became a rabid fan. I had more fun shooting this morning than I have in a long time. The ability to give prints out and to make my shooting a much more tangibly reciprocal event, was amazing. Sure, you draw a bit of a crowd and that changes the dynamics, but use your discretion and give them out discreetly, and you open more doors and generate more smiles than you can imagine.
My beef while shooting in Ladakh was battery issues. They just wouldn’t hold a charge. I don’t know what happened between then and now – lower altitude? warmer temps? – but the batteries performed much better today than they ever did in Ladakh, making me think Ladakh may have been an exception. Of course, I still want batteries that work ALL the time, but I’m waiting on the new batch being sent to me to test them out.
If you do any kind of travel or world photography, and if your ethic compells you to give as readily as you take, the ZINK-powered, Polaroid Pogo is a must-have. I carry mine, with extra batteries, paper and a USB cable, in a Think Tank Modular Pouch and it’s always there. I don’t make this claim often, but this could significantly change the way you photograph people.
Awesome. I am sold. Please stop reviewing gear, my account is low… ha ha. Seriously though, I had a similar experience in Bangladesh. After shooting pan handlers and vendors near the hotel, I went and had their images printed on 4×6 paper. I was a total hit and for some individuals, I am certain that this was the first time that they had seen their photographs from a tourist’s perspective.
Overall it was very rewarding. But as you understated, you may draw a crowd. In fact, you will draw a massive crowd. They all want to see what you took photos of, whether its of them or their friend.
Smiles abound and for those who leaned toward being camera shy suddenly thrust themselves forward to be recognized.
Willy.
[...] Printer: David DuChemin is having a good time with it. I can see how it would act as a tool to “give something [...]
I just received my Zink Polaroid! I am having a blast with it. Talk about instant gratification. I only used mine around my house, but it encouraged me to grab the camera and experiment.
I have already showed friends and they were similarly excited. I recommend others check this out.
Willy.
Do you still use and love your Pogo ?