Who has an Instax?! Or, maybe you keep adding it to your shopping cart online and then telling yourself you’ll just buy one later? That was me for a while! Anyway, this post is for you.
I got my Instax mini 8 (in white) back in September but didn’t play around with it very much. I felt like I needed to save the film for fun occasions, so I was a little hesitant to bust it out at events or even in low-key environments.
But, what’s the point of having a fun camera like the Instax mini if you don’t use it? Here are a few ways to really make the most of your camera and take good photos:
First of all, don’t be shy to use your camera. Yeah, in a lot of situations when you’re out an about, you’re going to feel a little silly taking photos with your Instax. Learn to tune out your surroundings and have a little fun! Stay calm, steady, and relaxed when composing for the best photos. Don’t cover the exposure meter (the two holes above the lens) or the flash when taking a photo.
Try taking photos of everything. Your friends. Your face. Your eyeball. A pretty flower you saw. Your breakfast. Your coffee. A funny sign. Your happy hour cocktail. If you really want to get comfortable with your camera, you’re going to have to use it.
Invest in a good camera bag or strap. If you feel like you have to inconveniently lug your camera around, you probably won’t use it very much. Whether you use a camera strap, special camera bag, or even a bigger purse to hold your camera, have something with you to hold your camera if you’re going to be holding it for a long time. One time, I thought I would be fine just holding my camera everywhere I went but it got annoying pretty quickly.
This case is currently on sale at Urban Outfitters and it fits the mini 8 like a glove.
Get artsy with different filters and attachments. It’s pretty fun to play around with filters and lenses on the Instax. This pack has a few colored filters, and this lens helps you take better selfies. Instead of buying colored filters, you can also go the DIY route and use colored cellophane or sunglasses to create cool filters too.
Try out different types of film. Fujifilm actually makes a variety of film for their minis: wide frame, monochromatic, rainbow, shiny star, air mail…the list goes on and on. It’s pretty uncommon to find a good variety at stores, so order online for the best selection. Fujifilm has a list right here. I’m definitely going to buy a monochromatic pack one of these days!
Display your photos in frames, albums, and scrapbooks. While hanging photos on a photo wire or taping them directly to the wall has that carefree cool girl vibe to it, you actually have options when it comes to displaying or saving your photos. Urban Outfitters actually has a ton of frames and albums made just for Instax. I have a couple of the clear frames for my photos and LOVE them. They just sit on my desk.
Buy film in bulk. Let’s be real–snapping photos on with your Instax costs a lot more than snapping photos with your phone. Costco sells the regular Instax mini film in some of their warehouses for a nominal price, but I prefer to order on Amazon for the convenience. $10-$15 per twin pack is pretty standard for the classic white film. You might be paying more like $10/pack for the other special film packs.
Tips for taking photos:
- Make sure the exposure you have set matches up with the light on the camera, unless you want to deliberately overexpose or underexpose for an artistic look.
- The viewfinder isn’t exact, so you will need to make sure you’re pointing the lens at the subject. Try turning the camera to the right a little and tilt upward.
- Do not expose the film to light. Do not shake the photos. Once you have taken a photo, make sure the photo isn’t exposed to direct sunlight. If you’re outdoors, put it in your pocket or in a bag to protect the image.
- Carry extra film and batteries with you!
That’s pretty much it! Do you have any tips to add to make the most of your Instax experience?
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