Polaroid Swing – A New Chapter in Moving Photography: Will it Revolutionize the Social Media Scene?

Our modern world, steeped in visual delight, has a profound love for images, be they black and white or blazing with color. Fond memories captured and cherished, the emotive artistry of photos binds us in ways both profound and subtle. Standing as a testament to our fascination with images, the evolution of the camera is a stirring tale.

A mention of a camera-like device can be traced back to an Iraqi scientist, Ibn-al-Haytham, in his book Book of Optics penned in 1021. But the first viable camera was crafted by Johann Zahn in 1685. Yet, it wasn’t until 1814 that the first ever photograph was clicked by Joseph Nicephore Niepce. This information from [whoinvented.org](http://www.whoinvented.org/who-invented-camera/) showcases just how rooted photography is in our history.

With the arrival of smartphones, cameras have found a home in our pockets, eliminating the need for bulky equipment unless you’re a professional photographer. This new-age medium for capturing life’s moments has paved the way for photography apps. These apps have not only made taking photos easier but also allowed users to seamlessly share their moments with friends and family.

A game-changer, Instagram swept people off their feet in 2010, cementing the concept of a photo-based online community. A whopping 500 million user community took shape around the availability and sharing of photos. Needless to say, Instagram’s unprecedented success made it an irresistible buy for Facebook, which acquired the company for a handsome one billion dollars in April 2012.

Smartphone manufacturers quickly caught on, adding social elements to their in-built apps. For instance, Google Photos, with its “unlimited” storage, made photo sharing easier within its community, especially on Google Plus.

On the horizon of this visual-oriented social media landscape rolls in a newcomer. A startup called [Polaroid Swing](https://www.polaroidswing.com/), proposes a unique twist. The app allows users to create moving pictures or dynamized 3D images on your phone, which can be animated simply by swiping your finger across the image.

According to a feature by [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/12/polaroid-swing-launch-new-app-moving-photography), the inspiration behind Polaroid Swing comes from the trail-blazing inventor, Edwin Land, who registered more than 500 US patents in his lifetime and heavily supported photographers like Ansel Adams, Mary Ellen Mark, and Andy Warhol.

In the face of the digital revolution, the original Polaroid company declared bankruptcy in 2001, a decade post-Edwin Land’s death. After a brief revival in 2008 as a digital product company, it too succumbed to bankruptcy. Paying homage to this legacy, the minds behind Polaroid Swing asked themselves, “What would Edwin Land do with modern-day smartphone technology?”

Thus, the concept was born, championed by an all-star team that includes an alumnus from the early days of Flickr. However, the question that remains is whether Polaroid Swing can gain solid footing in the highly saturated market of photo-based apps.

The startup, located in San Francisco and spearheaded by British entrepreneurs, Tommy Stadlen, and Frederick Blackford, released the iOS version of Polaroid Swing earlier this week. Meanwhile, an Android version is also in the works. The true decider will be whether Polaroid Swing can sustain user engagement over time.

But with some big names already showing interest, there is a glimmer of hope. Anticipation is building up around Polaroid Swing, as analysts predict users will fall in love with it once they fully appreciate the app’s potential. If such predictions hold true, more funding could be on the horizon for the company. As of now, however, all eyes are on the world of moving pictures ushered in by Polaroid Swing.