College is a great time to develop new skills and strengthen old ones—like photography! The world around you is an exciting place, from beautiful campus buildings to fun social outings with friends.
Learning how to be a better photographer will let you cherish those moments and develop a skill that will last you a lifetime! Instant cameras are a perfect way to hone those photography skills and snap great pics everywhere you go. With these tips, you’ll be an instant camera pro in no time!
The Perfect Instant Camera
If you want to take the best instant camera pictures, you need the best instant camera. But how do you choose?
You definitely want to pick a camera with automatic exposure. After all, nobody has time to fuss over focus when they’re trying to freeze priceless moments in time!
Make sure that your camera can also adjust no matter what lighting you’re in, so you can capture the perfect prints even if you’re at a concert, on a twilight walk, or enjoying your local nightlife!
The best instant cameras also have dedicated selfie modes so you can make sure you never miss a moment. The INSTAX MINI 40™ is the best of all the worlds, with easy automatic exposure and flash, and an easy-to-use selfie mode that produces crisp close-ups.
Not Too Close, Not Too Far
To produce the perfect instant print, consider the distance! If you’re too far from your subject, you’ll lose perspective, end up with too small of an image, and miss out on the fine details.
But if you’re too close up, you’ll end up losing out on background opportunities and interesting surroundings! Plus, if your camera doesn’t support close-ups, your prints might turn out blurry and unfocused.
The best prints come somewhere in between—extend those arms for the perfect selfie, or capture friends from at least 60 centimeters away! Stay close though—don’t stand more than about five feet from your subject!
Natural Light = Instant Print’s Best Friend
There’s a reason why so many beautiful photoshoots take place outdoors—nothing beats natural light!
Natural light keeps your face from appearing washed out and helps you avoid shadows or dark spots in your prints. Whenever possible, opt for natural light for the best prints!
All About that Angle
Sometimes you don’t know what the perfect photo angle is until you try it! Set up your photo op and experiment with different angles to see what looks best.
Get low, get high, and play around with the camera. You never know what you’ll end up with!
Having several different angled shots also ends up giving you great collage opportunities for your prints!
The Perfect Backdrop
New photographers often make the mistake of putting all their focus on the subject and forgetting about the background. But the backdrop can make or break your photo!
Some people opt for plain backgrounds, making the subject pop. You can hang fabric or blankets to create the perfect backdrop if you go this route!
But sometimes, even more interesting backgrounds are right around the corner. Natural brick buildings, graffiti walls, or eye-catching nature scenes can all make for great backdrops that will round out your photos nicely.
When in Doubt, Go Candid
Sometimes, posed photos turn out great. Other times, they just come across as too fake and manufactured.
When in doubt, opt for candid shots—snap that moment after an inside joke makes everyone crack up, capture real reactions from a night on the town, or catch the excitement of a sporting event or the wholesomeness of a volunteer activity!
Real moments and real reactions beat out posed photos more often than not, so embrace the candid and let the moments speak for themselves.
Pass the Camera
Before long, you’re going to be known as your circle’s instant camera guru, but why not share the love?
Passing the camera around to your friends and letting everyone get the chance to snap prints creates more opportunities, levels, and art! Even those who aren’t as experienced with cameras might have a different, unique perspective that produces something special.
Remember that photography is about the moments, not just about the product! So share that camera and get everyone involved!
Get Out There and Make Some Memories
Once you master these photography tips, you’ll be ready to produce winning prints that impress every single time!
Practice, experiment, engage, and play—photography is art, and that means there’s no wrong way to do it! The most important thing is that you have fun and make memories in this amazing time of your life!
Author Bio:
This article was written by the INSTAX Brand Team. The INSTAX team is dedicated to helping people experience life more fully with their instant cameras. INSTAX wants to give individuals a tool to create, express, and share their memories. Learn more about INSTAX cameras, printers, and film here.
