Disposable cameras: the comeback
By Olivia Kerber
Film photography is coming back into popularity again, and it’s not just just among old fans of the hobby. I’m sure you have seen a teenage girl on Instagram posting her disposable camera pictures with a caption about how much she adores her friends. This resurgence should have been unlikely. Whether it's getting back negatives, or how expensive the development of film is, film tends to be an unreliable form of photography. However, those who use film enjoy it for many reasons.
Dayana Rodriguez is a junior at Owasso High School who appreciates the art of photography. In fact, Rodriguez has her own photography page on Instagram where she posts both digital and film photography. Despite using both mediums, Rodriguez points out the distinctiveness of film.
“The look of film photos gives more character to the pictures taken and [the subject of the photos], especially [because] the colors that film can give to the pictures … can be more vibrant sometimes,” states Rodriguez.
Rodriguez wasn’t always fascinated by film, however, her interest in photography sparked her niche interest.
Pictures taken by Dayana Rodriguez
“I've always been interested in how film photography looked, and just in general photography has always been something I've liked doing,” Rodriguez expressed. “I think seeing [many] posts on social media with film cameras definitely helped me lean more into getting [a] film camera.”
Kaylee Dunaway, a senior at Owasso High School, has similar feelings to Rodriguez about her own film camera. Dunaway believes that her disposable camera captures memories in the moment in a way her phone cannot.
“The photos after they are processed have such a nostalgic feeling … [and] I just want to hold on to the photos forever,” Dunaway asserted. “I love to carry around this little camera and not really [know] how the picture turned out … or if you cut someone off … or [if] the flash was too much.”
Similar to Rodriguez, Dunaway also found film photography through social media.
Dunaway shared, “I just saw everyone posting them on Instagram and I thought it was [a] fun and cute way to share memories.”
Another Senior at Owasso High School, Gabriella Jonkman, brings her disposable film camera wherever she can take it.
“My favorite thing about film is I can bring it with me anywhere, even if phones aren’t allowed, or if you are going somewhere but don't want to bring your phone for pictures.”
Jonkman goes to Youthquake, a church trip to Colorado, every year without her phone. However, Jonkman finds herself wanting pictures when she is up in the mountains—so she brings a disposable camera. Jonkman also attended the Cavalcade rodeo without her phone in sight, simply carrying her film camera along with her.
“It allows me to stay off my phone … but I also get the pictures I want to capture,” Jonkman conveys.
Jonkman is of the opinion that the resurgence of film is an asset to our generation. In our highly filtered world of instant gratification, film creates a notable dichotomy to the modern day due to its nostalgic and imperfect nature.
Jonkman claims that, “I think there is something very simple and beautiful about [film], because it helps us connect to the older generations a little bit better.”
One individual who shares this passion for film is Annie Altman, a sophomore at OHS.
“I think that film is a very beautiful form of photography because you have to use the film sparingly, [you] only have around 30 pictures per roll of film, [so] you have to pick and choose the moments you capture,” Altman explains. “You can't just retake the same [picture] 15 times.”
Not only does Altman appreciate the little leeway that pictures on film give you, but she also admires film's precariousness.
“My favorite part about the physicality of film is the uncertainty in the waiting for the prints. I look back and I only [remember] maybe 5 of the pictures I captured on the camera, and I [can’t] wait for the film to develop so I could look back on my trip and those moments I couldn't recall.”
However, Altman realizes that the way we use film cameras now is very different from how those in the past used film cameras. Those who take the pictures might not be those who develop the film: the process is now broken up between people instead of being thorough through a single individual.
Altman professes, “Film is a dying art that I'm so glad our generation is bringing back in such a unique and beautiful way.”
Film creates an unrivaled beauty that, simply, digital cameras cannot produce. Moreover, the aesthetic of film is wistful—something that can nearly make you homesick for a different decade. Despite the money and time that the film process easily takes, there is never a shortage of those willing to give it to get these alluring pictures back.