Before the advent of the Epson scanners in 1998 we photographers who used Polaroid backs on our medium format cameras for testing before we committed to film, we used to throw the peels away. Then when scanners appeared we noticed images on the peel that could be scanned as is or reversed in Photoshop. Since then I have thousands of interesting peels.

Today I found this peel in my kitchen island. I have no memory of what it is or when I shot it. I have scanned it as is and then reversed it with Photoshop.

I wonder if any gallery in Vancouver upon seeing these would say, “Alex, we would like to have a show of your peels.” With my experience in the late 70s and 80s taking portraits of peelers I just might consent.

But it will never happen.