Using a disposable camera to take pictures around Reims and your weekend getaways is not only is it a great way to discover new locations, but to capture the beauty of the mundane and ordinary locations.
Time is flying by and already everyone feels like a local in Reims. You have crossed off the top of your to-do list: visit the Cathedral, party at Bodega, go on a Champagne Tour, and eat your bodyweight in cheese. But have you stopped to look around you? Get your friends and a camera - we have you covered!
Have a disposable camera handy to capture your European adventures in a whole new light, and take lasting pictures of your short-term home that is Reims! Before you run to your nearest photography shop ask friends and family if they have an old analog camera available. They have a special click to them and you will avoid using unnecessary resources, and save some money too! If you are lucky enough to find some old film around your house and go for it. The colors of your photos will be different from anything you have seen before.
However, if you do not have an analog camera at hand, you can buy a disposable camera at PIXINUM (74 rue Gambetta) or at FNAC (53 Place Drouet D’Erlon). You will find cameras for as little as 9€. When it comes to developing the film, we went to PIXINUM, where a SciencesPo student card will give you 20% developing your pictures and 10% when buying a new disposable camera. It only takes about 24 hours for the film to be developed!
Why bother investing in a disposable camera when you have your phone at your fingertips? Well... good point. With that being said, a disposable camera can add a whole new dimension to your collection of photos, truly giving the feeling of unique experience. Taking pictures on a disposable camera is a mindful practice - you do not have the liberty of taking six-hundred pictures and deleting whichever ones you do not like and you have to actively go to a photography shop.
Here are some of our tips and tricks for your first time using film:
- For photos inside and at night, use the flash. For Reims in general, since it can get quite rainy and cloudy, you’ll definitely need to use the flash, to not end up with a collection dark shadows.
- If you are in a group of friends, try to have at least two people with cameras and split the costs. That way, you will have double the pictures and each of you will be inspired by different things and you will have pictures from two different perspectives. Hint: take pictures of each other because sometimes, if you are the only person with a camera, you can end up not having any pictures of yourself!
- You can get multiple copies of your developed photos (for an extra cost), and that way you can give photos to your friends as gifts or send your photos in the mail to your friends and family back home. Such a thoughtful, personal gesture!
- Choose to get your photos developed as ‘glossy’ or ‘matte’ depending on the aesthetic you are going for. We went for the classic ‘glossy’ look with our photos.
- Developed photos are a great way to easily decorate your room when you are living abroad! Buy some Blu-Tack and create a photo collage. Be careful though, Blu-Tack is usually safe for walls however, on older paint it can ship your walls so make sure you test it first.
- If you do not want to buy a disposable camera, Huji or VSCOCam are two free apps that help you edit your pictures to make them look analogical .
Claire Feasby & MarÃa Luque