TexasGirl Photography

Since I wasn’t able to join the Instant Film Society for their polaroid photo walk at the State Fair, I decided I would have a one-woman version at the HOT Fair and Rodeo in Waco. This was the first time I can recall taking an instant film camera with me to the Fair; I could be wrong about that, however. The years blend together!

Some of the changes in my hometown are heartbreaking for me, and hard to stomach. Seeing Lion’s Park reduced to a flat building site, right across the street from the fairgrounds, was rough. I had my first real birthday party at Kiddieland, which resided there until recently. Childhood memories are so easily bulldozed in the name of progress. . . . .

The fairgrounds have changed, too; there’s a fancy big new building with a ticket booth instead of the rickety temporary versions that used to pop up each year in the dirt parking lot. Also, the entire midway is paved now. I’m so used to being covered in dust from the gravel there that I forget every time it’s ok for me to wear normal shoes instead of something that can withstand lots of grit and mud.

In a world of constant change, I’m grateful for the things that stay the same. Like fair food, for instance, and the fair itself. Rodeo tickets don’t seem to come with your admission anymore – and the admission price has doubled – but at least the old spirit of it remains.

Anyhow, speaking of constants, I pretty much always have a great time making Polaroids! This day was no exception. We arrived around 4pm when it opened; the light began perfect and only got more perfect. I had my very last pack of Impossible B&W film with me; dear as the fair is to my heart, I felt like it was just the right place to expose those frames. I scanned them “color” instead of b&w, because the film isn’t really true b&w anyway and I feel like you lose some of the vibe otherwise.

Considering how many years that film sat in my fridge, I am thankful that they turned out at all. I love the extra mood that their messed up, expired quality gives to the images.

To Fairs and Rodeos of the future: I might always bring an instant film camera from now on! Thanks for looking, y’all.