5 Beginner-Friendly Tips for Instant Photography

Photography is one creative hobby many young people delve into. Capturing photos of different subjects helps express one’s individuality and thoughts. Some use it to articulate feelings and emotions in photo form. 

Photography also comes in different forms that cater to different preferences. Some prefer flash photography, while others enjoy the convenience of instant cameras. And while you may think that using the latter is quite wasteful and not optimal for more expressive shots, professionals say otherwise. When it comes to photography, props can make or break the final shot. A backdrop paper is a great option because it provides an instant and inexpensive way to style your shot.

Here are five beginner-friendly tips for starting your journey in instant photography.

Keep Your Distance

Since instant cameras have a minimum distance of 30 to 60 cm, it is best to maximize this distance when taking selfies. Like most cameras, blurred selfies may be due to the lenses being too close to the subject. Keep your space to have more precise and better shots with your instant camera.

Some professional photographers recommend a distance of at least five to six feet away from your subject to get sharper photos. For instance, if you want to photograph an urban landscape, keeping your distance allows you to capture the buildings’ sharp lines and bustling surroundings. Real estate agents may use crisp Polaroid prints to market condo developments such as Urban Deca Homes in Tondo to attract a younger market. Developers’ social media feeds will also have a more aesthetic appeal for future buyers.

Experiment through Test Shots

For taking shots of still life and subjects that aren’t selfies, getting closer is vital for beautiful photos. Because your final prints will be roughly the same size as a credit card or slightly smaller than a postcard, you want your subjects to be visible. 

Experiment on how close and far your camera can get and take a few test shots. Use it to capture cute flat lays and still life photographs. Your shots will add more vibrancy to your social media pages.

Take Photos During Cloudy Days

Instant cameras don’t have the same dynamic range as DSLR cameras do. For instance, if you take a photo of a subject with harsh contrasts, you will most likely end up with underexposed shots and wasted films.

To avoid this, take photos when the light hits evenly, such as a cloudy morning or afternoon. Photograph your street, rows of buildings, and architectural wonders in your area. You’ll have cool-looking photos that emanate the comfort of cuddle-weather days.

Take Note of Your Lighting

Using natural light as much as possible is essential for photography. Photos come out beautifully under natural light. The general rule is that you should only use flash in settings where lighting isn’t that great. 

When taking photos indoors, place your subject close to a light source, such as your window, to brighten up your composition. You can use ring lights and reflectors to evenly distribute light around your subject when shooting in darker areas. A slight shadow may ruin your composition and create unflattering prints.

Experiment with Your Settings

The best way to get familiar with your camera is to tinker with its settings. Experimenting with different settings, backgrounds, and filters lets you explore various ways to take exciting shots. You will also have a handful of prints that you can display as a personal gallery in your home.

Try taking black and white photos to create a mysterious feel for your subjects. Experiment with a double-exposure to create vintage-looking images. Take still life shots with different angles to guide you into having better composition. The varied angles also give dynamic and exciting vibes to your photos.

As a whole, instant photography is an art that needs practice and passion. With these five helpful tips, you will be on your way to taking better photos and creating snapshots of your life and aspirations.