Polaroid x Magnum: ‘Real Life is Not Black and White’

Oct 30

The acclaimed photography brands received over 2,000 submissions across over 100 countries.

In their first-ever partnership, iconic photography brands Polaroid and Magnum joined forces to give ten emerging photographers the opportunity to display their works at the Paris Photo Fair this November. They held an open call for photographers in July and received over 2,000 submissions from over 100 countries. After careful selection, Polaroid and Magnum chose ten visual storytellers from around the world to delve into various human experiences and backgrounds.

The competition winners include Jakub Stanek, Aleruchi Kinika, Maria Beatriz de Vilhena, Mengwen Cao, Jaír F. Coll, Mohamed Hassan, Stefan Pavic, Natela Grigalashvili, D.M. Terblanche, and Jed Bacason. Not only did their work make it to the Paris Photo Fair, but the winners also received mentorship from prominent Magnum photographers Enri Canaj, Jim Goldberg, and Newsha Tavakolian to capture identity, individuality, and intimacy.

The winners were entrusted to participate in Real Life is Not Black and White, a project shot exclusively on the Polaroid I-2, the first high-end instant camera with built-in manual controls. Real Life is Not Black and White celebrates how instant and black-and-white photography can define creative expression despite the lack of color. Whether the photographers centered their photos around masculinity, womanhood, relationships, disabilities, or community, no one story or photo is alike. Check out the winners’ Polaroid I-2 photos below, and read their stories here.