German-based design duo Jirko Bannas and Oliver Seltmann have worked tirelessly for two years on the idea of the light picture, and during that period, conceptualized the Polaboy, an LED-backlit photographic frame that is a direct 10:1 scaling up of an original Polaroid snapshot. A unique take on the Polaroid picture, these installations acts as a both an art print and a light source. Lightboys, the company behind the concept, take images submitted to them and blow them up to ten times their original size, and then giving them back light of constant illumination. With 5,000 lumens of LEDs to provide the light source, the result is one that mimics the authentic warm hues of an actual Polaroid photo. The images are printed on a special slide film, and can be changed at any time. The whole rig is only 20mm thick, running 12 volts, 45 watts.

Of the project, the duo state:

“Who hasn't experienced the unique feeling of holding a Polaroid in their hand and watching the image gradually reveal itself, or doesn't remember the shiny photographic paper, the smell of the developing emulsion and the ninety seconds of anticipation waiting for the instant image to emerge? All photographs, but particularly Polaroids, reflect a desire to record that one special moment forever.”