In the digital age we find ourselves surrounded by images, portraits, icons, and symbols. With an iPhone you’re able to take hundreds of pictures in just minutes with the click of your finger! While being able to take, edit, distribute images quickly, and is amazing for marketing/advertising purposes, social media, etc, a disposable camera adds an additional layer of meaning to your photos!
If you’re not familiar with these cameras they were the first portable and inexpensive handheld camera. They require you to turn them on and windup film using a small wheel found on the top of the camera. You usually have the capacity for 25-30 pictures in the use of one disposable camera.
The interesting part of creating images using film is you only have one shot to take a picture. Meaning, if someone were to blink or not be ready, you would have to use another one of your 25-30 pieces of film to correct it. This adds a sense of intimacy with your pictures. You know it was a one-shot deal and makes the picture more genuine, more candid. Additionally, you don’t get to see the results of the pictures until you use all your film (25-30 pictures) and after they are sent in to be developed. This can take up to 2 weeks. This a very rewarding process and allows you to look back on your pictures and reminisce about the events surrounding your images.
My personal experience with disposable cameras is great! I tend to take pictures that may not look necessarily extravagant like something you might see on Instagram, but rather events that had strong emotional meaning to me. Most of the time these pictures are when I am feeling extremely happy. The only downside of these cameras is the fact that you have to remember to bring them with you! I like to keep mine in the glovebox or my bag, so I don’t necessarily have to focus on capturing the “right moments” but have the camera at my disposal in case I’d like to.
The $20 price tag is small compared to the priceless memories you will have printed out for you to keep forever. Get yours at Walmart, Rite Aid, or Costco!