how to make your own light shield

After purchasing the Impossible Project PX 680 polaroid film, I've found that many people online note that the film is extremely light sensitive. The first few seconds of when the picture ejects is crucial to how the film develops. Without being shielded from light immediately, you may end up with a terribly overexposed and low contrast photo.

I've seen a few ways that you can shield your images, which you can view in this video here, but I've come up with a slightly different method that is hands-free and that I think will be more efficient. Here's a simple tutorial on how to make an envelope light shield for box-type polaroid cameras.

You will need:

• A 4x6 envelope


• Utility knife or scissors


• A ruler


• Masking tape

Step 1: Lick that envelope! You'll want to seal your envelope firstly.

Step 2: An incision. Using the diagram below as guide, cut along the dotted line slicing open one far end of your envelope on the edge and slightly around the corners. After you've done this, fold both sides away from each other along the solid line.


You should end up with your envelope looking like this:


Step 3: Assemble. Using a piece of tape stick one of the flaps above the opening where the picture ejects...


...and adhere the other flap below the camera. Like so:


And voila!

In a few easy steps you have an envelope light shield. You can store the light shield seperately in your bag while travelling and simply tape it on when you're ready to shoot. I find it best to keep a few extra pieces of tape handy by sticking them to the bottom of the camera, so you won't have to worry about carrying around a roll of tape.

You no longer have to worry about finding a surface to develop your images face down because the images will eject directly into the envelope. It's also more compact than using a film box to catch your pictures. Make sure to let your pictures develop for at least 10 to 20 minutes before having a peak!

Happy shooting! (pictures not guns)