A Craftsman’s Approach to Analog Photography
The photography industry constantly seeks innovation, yet sometimes the most exciting developments involve returning to proven methodologies. During a recent visit to Vienna, Austria, I encountered One Instant—a specialized division within the Supersense collective—where artisans are methodically reconstructing peel-apart instant film through entirely manual processes.
Supersense operates as what its founders describe as an analog manufacturing palace, occupying a striking Venetian-style building in Austria’s capital. The facility represents a comprehensive sensory experience: visitors encounter traditional letterpress operations, vinyl cutting stations, a culinary space, and the heart of the operation—One Instant’s film assembly workshop. The venue even houses one of merely seven existing Wisner 20×24 large-format cameras, capable of producing oversized instant photographs unmatched in contemporary practice.
Precision Through Human Hands
Florian ‘Doc’ Kaps, Supersense’s visionary founder, established One Instant following his earlier instrumental role in resurrecting Polaroid instant film production. The current mission centers on manufacturing peel-apart packfilm—a photographic format nearly extinct in the modern marketplace.
What distinguishes One Instant’s operation is its absolute rejection of mechanization. Assembly occurs entirely through manual labor, with each individual frame requiring a minimum of 20 minutes to construct. This conservative estimate assumes optimal conditions with pre-positioned components—a scenario that rarely materializes in practice. Consequently, realistic production timelines extend considerably longer.
The pricing structure reflects this labor-intensive methodology. Three-sheet packs of Type 100 film retail for $60, while individual 8×10 sheets command $66. To accommodate photographers with budget constraints, One Instant offers DIY assembly kits, permitting customers to complete final assembly stages independently—excluding darkroom-dependent procedures. This option reduces per-sheet expenses by roughly $6.
Building Tomorrow’s Film Stock
Currently, One Instant relies on remaining Polaroid inventory, including original negatives, paper substrates, and chemical reaction pods. This dependency presents both opportunity and challenge. The production team is strategically transitioning toward proprietary formulations and materials, reducing reliance on finite legacy stocks and establishing long-term sustainability for the medium.
The resurgence of instant film photography demonstrates that analog technologies retain significant cultural and artistic value. One Instant’s approach—combining nostalgic methodology with contemporary craftsmanship—addresses a genuine market demand from photographers seeking tactile, unpredictable image-making experiences that digital workflows cannot replicate.
For enthusiasts of photochemistry and film-based practice, One Instant represents something increasingly rare: a functional connection to photography’s material heritage, produced with meticulous attention to quality rather than volume. As the instant film renaissance continues expanding, this small Vienna-based team exemplifies how intentional, human-centered manufacturing can sustain once-obsolete technologies for future generations of visual artists.