Why are my photos completely black or completely white?

Check why your pictures are completely white or completely white and learn how it avoid this issue when possible.

Distinguished by:

• Entire frame is black with very little or no detail or
• Entire frame is white with very little or no detail
  
  

Caused by:

1. Camera Failure:

The camera is almost certainly the problem in these two cases. The camera calculates the correct exposure for the photo by adjusting the shutter speed and potentially the aperture as well (depending on the camera model). When either the electronic eye (which sees the picture and decides which exposure to use) or the shutter mechanism (which needs to accurately open and close, letting just the right amount of light into the camera) are not functioning properly, the resulting image will be incorrectly exposed. This is characterised by a completely white or completely black photo with very little or no detail. 

2. Expired Film:

The chemical nature of our film means that as it ages, and becomes less stable, the resulting photos begin to deviate from the norm. Overexposure (a very light or white photo) is one of the more common defects associated with expired film.

How to avoid:

• Camera Failure:
  • A shutter failure can often be intermittent, meaning that it can arise in one photo and then not be an issue for several more packs. 
    
    
• More Light: 
  • Polaroid cameras need a lot of light due to their relatively low film speed and small apertures. Try shooting in bright outdoor lighting conditions and/or shooting with the camera flash. 
    
    
• Expired Film:
  • Check the production date embossed on the bottom of your film packaging. Polaroid film expires 12 months after the production date.