… This is a guest post by Richard Gaspari of Creative Photo Connect …
The first instant camera saw the light of day almost half a century ago, and we have since learned how to replicate that immediate effect with our digital devices. However, such a device has an elegant appeal that many photographers favor nowadays. In fact, both amateurs and pros use this technique to create striking and emotionally charged imagery.
Just like any other method of capturing pictures, instant photography relies on specific photographic equipment. In this article, we will discuss the process behind it, as well as make a few gear and paraphernalia recommendations for beginners.
What Is Instant Photography?
As the name suggests, instant photography is an analog process which produces a physical snapshot instantaneously. This is possible due to the special properties of the utilized film, as well as the in-built developing studio inside the device. The film used in regular cameras is coated with either one or three layers of silver, depending on whether it is black and white or colored.
These particles are sensitive to light, and the chemicals in the developer particles bring out the outlines and colors in the image. This is the general rule. In the case of an instant photograph, the film contains not only the necessary layers of silver compound, but also additional coatings of developing chemicals that react with one another and create the picture.
This is what happens in there in a nutshell. If you are familiar with the history of photography in any way, then you might already know that the Polaroid camera is the original instant analog device. Founded 81 years ago in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company is widely acknowledged as the parent of instantaneous snapshots.
However, the archetypal company does not produce new cameras, nor the film needed to operate them nowadays. Thus, the best choice for instant imagery enthusiasts nowadays will always be represented by Fuji. In the next section of the article, we will focus on the best Fuji equipment you can use to produce this art form on the spot.
The Best Equipment to Use
Fujifilm Instax cameras are some of the best instant analog devices on the market. The company still produces them to this day, and they also supply users with compatible film rolls that allow them to capture both fond memories and professional shots. So, what are your options as far as equipment is concerned?
If you want a portable device that is both adorable and easy to use, nothing compares to the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant Camera. It has an attractive exterior that comes in a wide variety of both pastel and bright colors, as well as an affordable price tag of just 60 dollars, which is why it is one of the most popular choices on the market.
It is compatible with a wide variety of Instax Mini film varieties by Fujifilm, such as Instant Daylight, Shiny Star, Comic, Candy Pop, Rainbow, and Airmail, as well as the Monochromatic black and white alternative. Its shutter speed is of 1/60 and it has a focusing range of 0.6m to infinity. This makes it the perfect camera for beginners.
If you are ready to spend a bit more on a device that is closer to professional territory, but still user-friendly and easily adjustable, try the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 Instant Film Camera. It retails for 90 dollars, and it has a retractable 95mm f/14 lens complete with a focus zone that is motor-driven and two-range.
In normal mode, it ranges between 0.9m and 3m, while in landscape mode it is capable of focusing from 3m to infinity. Its shutter speed is of 1/64 to 1/200 sec and it comes complete with a 0.37x Target Spot optical viewfinder, as well as a built-in LCD screen. It can only function on film that has been specifically produced for it, namely the Instax Wide 300 instant color film.
The Fujifilm Instax Mini 70 Instant Film Camera is the perfect middle ground between this two. It is as compact and cute as the Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 Instant, but it has the additional professional features of the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 Instant Film Camera. The price is also middle of the road, clocking in at a round 70 dollars a pop.
Final Thoughts
The secret behind instant photography lies in the special coating of the film, as well as the inbuilt developing studio each camera has hidden within, no matter its size. With the right Fujifilm equipment, you too can start producing instant snapshots that are bound to make an impression. So, what are you waiting for? Start shooting!
This has been a guest post by Richard Gaspari who is passionate about photography techniques and history. He’s also the main contributor of an online project called CreativePhotoConnect.com, where he writes guides and tutorials for beginners, as well as expert reviews on some of the most popular cameras on the market.
And a big thank you to photographer Melissa Findley for allowing us to share some of her beautiful Instant images from around the world. Follow Melissa on Instagram for more.
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You might also like to check out this review of the HP Sprocket portable printer, these tips on street photography on your travels, and this guide to how to pick the best travel camera.
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