The Polaroid Big Shot is a dedicated, sturdy instant camera made just for close-up portraits, produced between 1971 and 1973. It became famous as the favourite tool of artist Andy Warhol, who used it to photograph countless socialites and celebrities. The camera has a fixed focus at about one metre, so it’s perfect for head-and-shoulders portraits. Because the focus doesn't adjust, you need to gently move back and forth until the split-image rangefinder lines up just right—a movement playfully nicknamed the "Big Shot Shuffle." It’s equipped with a 220mm plastic lens with a tiny fixed aperture (f/29), which gives a beautifully deep depth of field but means you’ll need a flash with each shot. For this purpose, the camera uses disposable Magicubes, which are mechanically fired flashbulbs that sit on top of the camera. A large Fresnel lens focuses the light, giving that unmistakable "Warhol look" with bright, flattened skin tones. The Big Shot looks quite large, is made of sturdy plastic, and has a T-strap handle on the back to help pull the film out smoothly. Originally, it used peel-apart film, but that’s no longer available. You can find expired Polaroid Type 100 and Fujifilm FP-100C, though they tend to be quite pricey (often over $100 a pack). Many users now convert the camera to use modern Instax Wide film by 3D-printing new backs or using adapters, so it stays useful without relying on old, expired film.