Wednesday, February 19

Disposable Camera Challenge

I use to always carry a disposable camera around with me, tucked away in my purse.  It was so fun to spend months using up one roll of film and getting the surprise "oh I forgot I snapped that" shots during developing.  I've gotten out of the habit of doing this lately, and I'm ready for it again.  Instead of simply just mentioning it here, I thought it would be fun to create a Disposable Camera Challenge in case anyone wants to play along.  Here are some simple guidelines:

*Keep a disposable camera in your purse/bag/coat pocket/etc any time you go out.  This is not meant to replace your "real" camera or your iPhone, only an extra little memory keeper.
*Don't snap all in one place!  The fun of not being able to see what you're snapping comes at the end when you have photos from all kinds of different events and places.  I would suggest limiting to 2 snaps in one situation, but it's your camera so do what you want.  ;)
*Don't be afraid of flash/nighttime photography.  I think that's part of what makes a throw away camera great-- you don't have to be worried about graininess or laser eyes from the flash.  That's part of the charm!

What do you think?  Anyone want to play along?  It will take us all probably a month or two to fill one up, so the pay off will take a awhile.  Once I get photos developed, I'll definitely share (and would love it if you did, too)!  I'm excited to be doing this again-- it's going to be fun!

(I've gotten a few questions about where to get photos developed-- I get mine developed at Walgreens, but if you don't have one in your area there are definitely online options!)


78 comments:

  1. this is such a great idea. i might just have to!!

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  2. That's so funny, I used to do that a lot too but haven't in a while then planned to buy one over the weekend and never did! I'm definitely doing the challenge with you now!

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  3. If you don't have a Walgreens you can also get them developed at Costco! WalMart used to do it too, but I'm not sure if they still do :)

    Natalie
    http://natalie-patalie.blogspot.com/

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  4. This is a great idea! The ritual of taking pictures, waiting to finish a roll of film, taking the film to get developed is great! It's the little things like that that using digital all the time makes us forget!

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  5. Rock on. I wanna do this. I use to use disposable cameras, but then it just became a hassle to develop the film. But thats why its called a challenge! ;)

    Fruit-girl

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  6. I also have a bunch of old cameras i need to go get developed. Maybe this will inspire me.

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  7. I haven't used one of those things in years! Totally jumping on board with this one. Hopefully I can still find one in my town...

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  8. What a great idea! I would love to participate in this challenge!

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  9. I'm definitely in! Miss those days of the throwaway camera.

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  10. I love this challenge idea!! Might just have to go buy a disposable camera now :)
    http://bravefelicity.blogspot.com

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  11. I'm definitely in! I miss those good old days of disposable camera fun.

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  12. This is absolutely an adorable idea! Man back in the day I used to rock some disposable cameras. I'm definitely in for this challenge!

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  13. what a fun idea! i need to try this!

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  14. Love this! I'm in a photography class this semester and we've been working with film cameras and it's so weird and fun to change things up a bit. It's definitely a challenge!

    xoxo
    Taylor

    www.welcomehometaylor.com

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  15. I'm in! I love finding old disposable cameras and getting them developed without having a clue what's gonna be on them. This is gonna be fun!

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  16. Love this! Have you heard of the app "Disposable"? It's kind of the same idea, just in an app form. You're not able to view the photos until you have completed the roll of film. It's fun because you can also share a camera roll with a friend, and they can take photos too! Check it out!

    Brenda
    www.brendaabel.blogspot.com

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  17. I have been trying to do this project since June! I am failing miserablly, I put a time limit on each camera to one month each, which is unrealistic! I do love the forgotten shots that turn out amazing and recreate the memory! I have three cameras waiting to be developed!!
    I don't think I will stop, but like you may just allow myself time to get through a roll- especially as I am expecting my first baby in June, it will be magical to capture some of those moments!
    I can't wait to see your updates!! Good Luck :) x

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  18. This is such a nice idea, it's nice to go back to the old school sometimes.

    P.xx
    GreyWalls

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  19. Currently I am thinking about buying disposable cameras. But it's gonna be for another purpose :) I decided to make a little scavenger hunt for all the kids who will come to our wedding. We will find out pictures for about half of the roll (the actual photo scavenger hunt part), and the other half of the roll will be there for their own ideas. This way, we will have photos from unique angles (kids :)), besides of course the official photographers.

    ps.: if you have ideas for the hunt, feel free to suggest :)

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  20. Such a fun idea! I always have my instax mini on hand but I like the idea of developing later on and looking back!

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  21. This is a very nice idea. I think I'll join :)

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  22. I used to always LOVE using disposable cameras, especially those awesome underwater ones! I will join this challenge, sounds fun! THanks!

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  23. This is such a fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing it!
    Jordyn
    Pretty Lovely

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  24. Awesome! I'll pick one up this week and will play along. :)

    When my friend from TX came to visit last year and we took a mini road trip around CA, we each took 2 disposable cameras with us and shared our prints at the end. It was so much fun and I love the grainy, out of focus quality to the prints haha. It was such a memorable thing to do, as well.

    It will be fun to see how it comes out spacing out the 24-27 shots over the course of a month!

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  25. What a fun challenge! I think I'll try it...it's been a while I've used a disposable camera! x

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  26. What a great idea! I was clearing out some drawers the other week and found this old 'Mamma Mia The Movie'-merchandise disposable camera. The film probably expired years ago but that'll just make it even more fun. Have you set a deadline for the challenge?

    Lisa
    www.creagirl.com

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  27. Great idea! I will do this. I think I will give my 8 year old daughter one as well :)

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  28. I'm actually doing this right now! Well, sort of. It's a big challenge not to take one or more photos of the same thing.

    I can't wait to see your results!

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  29. What a fun idea! I love disposable cameras. I need to get in the habit of taking photos again!

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  30. I love this idea! Sadly though most of the places that develope film are closing near me. :( If I can find a place that I know isn't going to close their film developing any time soon, I 110% want to take part in this!

    x Sara from andalittlechaos.blogspot.com

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  31. Yes! This is just the perfect excuse to buy a camera and have fun around the city!

    xx
    http://www.analeote.blogspot.com

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  32. I used to do that too! I love how the photos come out, they have such a nice feel to them. And it's definitely fun being surprised!

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  33. Count me in! Love this idea. Developing it months later and going through the photos remembering all those great little moments that would have otherwise been long forgotten. Love this.

    xo Denise
    lovelybohemian.blogspot.com

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  34. Love this idea!!! I always have a camera with me...but I rarely get images printed! And I do take a lot of pictures! :) Will buy a disposable camera ASAP!

    www.zincmoon.com

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  35. This is a fun idea. When my sister got married 8 years ago, we had them on every table for the guests to try. Those pictures are some of my favorite from her special day. I wish my husband and I would have a little box of photos like that from out day. I have yet to print more than 5 from our wedding 2 years ago...(Hangs her head in shame)

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  36. Doing this! I used to do this all the time before I finally got a smart phone 2010 (I took forever).
    I want to do it again!

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  37. I'll do it with my boyfriend! I've been wanting to do this with him for a while anyways!!!

    http://a-whispered-wish.blogspot.com/

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  38. We forgot our "real" camera on our honeymoon so we relied on disposable ones. I wouldn't trade those pictures for anything.

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  39. Definitely will be joining this challenge! :D Thanks for the idea!!!!

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  40. urban outfitters sell a disposable camera that adds a dog to every picture. think i might get one of those and play along :)

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  41. I love the idea of carrying one around. -Hanna Lei

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  42. Love this idea!! I love taking photos with disposable cameras! Here's a link to some photos I last took with a disposable :) love the light leaks and all the character in film. xoxo
    http://long-road-to-somewhere.blogspot.com/2013/08/canoe-trip-via-35mm-film.html

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  43. YES! Such a great idea.

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  44. Oh, this sounds like far too much fun. Once I stop traveling so much I will try to start this. It would be just like me to accidentally let the camera go through TSA and lose everything.

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  45. I've been meaning to do this! I'm definitely going to now!

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  46. This is a great idea Katie! : ) I love disposable cameras!! I'm in xx

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  47. I love this. My friend brought along a disposable on a trip once and just the idea of having one to throw around made our group get really silly. When we got the photos back they were hilarious - I still love looking back through those more so than the ones I take on my DSLR; When the big camera comes out everyone poses and smartens up ;)

    Sophie | Onetenzeroseven

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  48. Check this blog out, she reminded me so hard of you!
    http://kateandstripes.blogspot.be/

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  49. Great idea! I actually found a camera that I'm pretty sure I was using 3 years ago. It has 9 pictures left on it and I can't wait to see what's on there!

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  50. Yes!! I started doing this 2 summers ago when I managed to get a few disposable camera's really cheap. still haven't got them developed yet tho, saving them for a rainy day :D xx

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  51. I love carrying around a disposable camera! Lately I've been trying to use my Holga more, so I've been bringing it out with me, but the film is SO expensive. Maybe disposable cameras are a better option!
    xo
    http://kaitwakefield.blogspot.ca/

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  52. what a fun idea!

    xxoo,
    nikki

    www.dreaminneon.blogspot.com

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  53. Yes yes yes yes yes! I am going to do this!

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  54. I'm keen to do this. I haven't taken pictures with a disposable camera in forever. Sounds like fun!

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  55. I used to do this!! I have several albums from high school and college with one or a handful of photos from each place or event. It's a perfect "snapshot" of life back then! Love the idea for now, too!

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  56. This sounds so awesome, I'm definitely in!

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  57. I like this idea, will join in too!

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  58. I love disposable cameras! I already started doing this some time ago and I am super excited every time I get my film developed. I will take your advice of only taking 2-3 pictures in one situation, cos that is definitely more interesting!

    Here is one of my disposable camera posts...
    http://www.toytulip.com/2013/10/adventures-in-film-photography.html

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  59. I cannot express my love for this idea! I have a two-pack of disposable cameras waiting to be put to use, and I'm saving one for another project once the weather warms up, but this is definitely what I'll be doing with the other one! Love the photos from yours, by the way. ^-^

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  60. How neat! I love this! I have a disposable camera I bought on sale at Micheal's a while back I haven't used. I'm going to have to pull it out and have fun with it!

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  61. I used to do this when I was younger! Definitely up to doing it again.

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  62. Aaaah! I am ON THIS. I used to be such a devotee of disposable cameras--the "real" point and shoots I could afford back in the 90s-00s would die so quickly in the sand-and-salt beach lifestyle I had, so I just gave up on them and got a disposable camera every month or so. I loved flipping through photos I forgot I'd taken. I think I'll take a photo a day with a disposable camera in April. Thanks for the idea, Ill be linking to this post! :)

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  63. Love this idea. Going to Copenhagen soon so will take a disposable with me too. Thanks!

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  64. A little late, but I just bought my disposable camera! Can't wait to start :)

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  65. I have two Fujifilm disposable cameras I just purchased! Definitely going to do this. :)

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  66. A little late but I am so excited to join this challenge!
    One of my goals this year is to shoot more film.
    Thanks for posting Katie :)

    christine
    www.christinerojas.com

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