5 Reasons Why You Should Use an Instant Camera

Instant photography is an ideal hobby for mindfulness and mental clarity

Denisa Blackwood
Forge

--

Photo by Iwan Shimko on Unsplash

Instant photography is on the more expensive side of the spectrum, as far as hobbies go. Why bother?

Sure, holding physical pictures in your hand feels nice, but are the price and the hassle justified? Depending on the brand and size, one exposure on instant film costs anywhere between £0.60 and £3.00. Whether you have an old Polaroid camera or you bought a brand new instant camera, the film remains the most expensive aspect of this hobby. Considering that recent evidence suggests that photography is the most expensive hobby in the United Kingdom, it’s not surprising that instant film will push the annual expenditure even further.

I take pictures on instant film casually, but frequently. It’s one of my favorite activities. I would like to share with you the top 5 reasons I stuck with this hobby for the past 6+ years.

What is instant photography?

The defining feature of an instant camera is the self-developing film. To take a picture, you first need to look through the viewfinder and frame your subject. Once you press the shutter button, the picture will be pushed out by the camera’s motor, making a whirling sound. Depending on…

--

--

Denisa Blackwood
Forge
Writer for

Scientist based in London. I write about tech, science, society and mental health. For collaborations, get in touch at denisa.blackwood [at]protonmail[dot]com