Instax Film Photo Projects
Are you wondering what would be some good projects for Instax Film? I’ve scoured the internet far and wide to collect some of my favorite ideas. Some I have tried, or am working on. However, others terrify me, and if you can do them. Well, then you’re part of the bravest bunch around!
I will be updating this post in the future. I plan on doing quite a few of these Instax film projects. They should be fun.
1. Self Portrait
As photographers we don’t actually have very many pictures of ourselves. It just always seems to work out that way. However, it doesn’t have to. Why not make one of our first projects be a self portrait?
We have everything we need. I am assuming we have film. If we don’t have Instax film we definitely need to get some first. Then we can move on. Further, after the instant film we pretty much just need ourselves, a camera, and a tripod. Any flat surface will work as long as we get our framing suitable enough to fit us in it.
Self portraits don’t have to be selfies. In fact, I encourage them not to be the popular selfie. We could try mixing it up a little bit.
I tried one where I was using multi-exposure. The problem I ran into was I didn’t use the flash for my first picture, but I did the second. And, when I did this the difference between the two exposures was a little too strong. When it was a little too strong you can boldly see the second image of me, but the first is just a slight whisper.
I’ll know for the next time…
Side note, if you plan on posting your failed self portrait attempt online at least make sure you’re wearing something better than your house sweater…
Self portrait with Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic, and multi-exposure
2. Pets
I actually haven’t done this one yet. My family, and I have a little Yorkie. We have quite a few pictures that we’ve taken with our iPhone, and with my Nikon D750.
Adding the little guy to my to do list of Instax film photos to take.
Our dog is a little on the older side. He’s not as active as he used to be. Which means getting a decent picture of him. However, if you have a young and active dog getting a good photo of them might be a little more difficult.
A good tip for this is if you’re using a camera with a “kids” mode like the Fujifilm Instax 90 Mini Neo Classic. The setting might me worded different. But, what we’re looking for a setting that makes our shutter speed as fast as possible.
The faster the shutter speed the less blur the photo will have.
When we’re getting our photo trying to include our dog, or pet in their natural state. My dog does a lot of sleeping… talk about easy.
3. Motherhood or Fatherhood
I say or Fatherhood to include the Moms out there with an Instax film camera. I will concentrate on getting some very good shots of my wife and son. I already get a lot of pictures of my son, and adding my beautiful wife in the photos will be awesome!
Instant film is perhaps some of the most impactful photo formats. Further, the time of parenthood is the most incredible periods of our lifetimes. Adding these two together to catalog a very special era.
What a classic project to work on with our Instant cameras?
Mother and son hanging out by the pool. Photo take with Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic
4. Fog
This is another opportunity when the season and timing is right. Everyone loves a good fog photo. However, nobody enjoys waking up early to take those photos! Actually, I’m sure there’s somebody that does after all there are some pretty good fog photos out there.
This is one project that I am going to be keeping my eye out for. As of the writing of this in Kalamazoo, Mi we are in the middle of winter. I think I have a long time before I can get out there and take some instant photos of the fog.
How about you? Do you plan on taking some Instax photos of the fog?
Some good locations to scout would be parks with trails or walkways, and lights. Thinking about the scene I picture using a tripod and bulb mode on the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90.
If your camera doesn’t have bulb mode which would allow for a longer exposure you could take a test shot to see what it would look light. I imagine the camera is going to want to lighten the image up in auto mode. I personally would lean towards darken exposure. I think within a couple shots we could work out the right exposure.
5. Seasons
Putting seasons in our project list is a long term project. It could take a minimum of one year to finish, or even several years.
I’ve tried this in the past, and have abandoned it because of its commitment level. This is not a project for the faint of heart.
Some ideas I would suggest would be getting one scene that is your beloved spot. You know exactly where it is. Pick that spot, or maybe two to three of them. Try framing the scene the same for each instant photo. Bring the photo for reference, or a picture of the picture. That way you can keep the composition as similar as possible. And, then simply take a photo of each of the seasons.
You’ll have to display your best level of patience for this one, but I hope it proves worth it for you.
6. Black and White
Fujifilm does have a black and white film for Instax mini. I don’t think it’s available for any other film size.
There’s two options for shooting black and white Instax film. The first option is any of the cameras that use the mini film. The second option is the SQ10 or SQ20. These are digital and instant photo hybrids. They’re actually a digital camera with an Instax printer built in.
The SQ10 and SQ20 will actually save up to fifty pictures. Which means we can be selective when printing the photos. The advantage of these cameras being digital is the actually give the option to add an adjustment before we print. One of these filters we could choose is black and white.
7. Everyday Life
Everyday life might not see like the best photo project, but it can be. As photographers we develop the ability to make everyday situations more dramatic and meaningful.
This can be an opportunity for us to practice while at the same time building a nice album that could have a strong meaning for us for several years. I personally have an ongoing photo project of my son’s toys.
This is a project that will be going on for a very long time. When I’m taking the photos I focus in on the toy, and my son interacting with it. However, I try to make sure he isn’t the subject of the photo. I try to only include his hands and arms to give the toy context.
A few ideas that I can think of for everyday life Instax film photos:
- Getting ready for school, work
- Breakfast
- Doing dishes or other cleaning
- Playing
- Studying
- Toothbrushes-especially if you have a member of the family just starting to use a toothbrush
- Bath time
- Food preparation, and presentation
I apologize, but there’s a lot of ideas that are heavily influenced by having a toddler! If you have a toddler this is great, however, if you don’t perhaps not so much. I bet a lot of the ideas could be applied to almost any situation.
Just give your everyday life a shot. You can even do a test run with your cell phone. This will give you the opportunity to focus on the details. Which will give you an idea if a photo will be a good photo or not.
Oh no!
8. Scavenger Hunt
Doing a scavenger hunt would be awesome. Doing a scavenger hunt with an Instant camera would be double awesome!
I’ve never actually done a scavenger hunt, but I’ve always wanted to.
With a quick Google search for scavenger hunt ideas I’m sure we could find a few lists for out scavenger hunt. Not only would this be a good experience, but it can also promote family, and friend bonding and team work.
Spending the Saturday afternoon with the family, and then having an Instant photo album to archive the day. That’s a good time in my book.
I do imagine it could be costly if not everyone already has Instax Cameras. If this is the case you could have teams. Each team have one camera. Another option would be an Instax Printer. Using a printer would allow you to take the pictures with a cellphone, and the print the photos later. Saving money on the extra cameras, and shots that were not worth printing.
9. Architecture
Architecture has always been a strong draw for photographers. Going on a photo walk in your closest city would be some great opportunities for some good architecture photos.
If you have a Instax Mini Camera shooting Black and White with architecture would be a great way to mix two projects.
I didn’t put panoramas in this list of Instant film photo projects. But, adding a panorama to the architecture can be great as well.
Some tips for when shooting Architecture. Be sure to focus on details. This includes little details from carvings, and all the way up to the big details of the structure of a building.
Shooting with an angle that can show off the height, and strength of a building can add drama to your photos.
Try looking for reflections off buildings. Or, you could look for vantage points that show a “birds eye view” by going to the highest place you can.
10. Point of View
I know as a photographer I absolutely neglect this angle all the time. It almost never crosses my mind. It seems like the times it does cross my mind is when I see someone else’s great photo!
That’s why this point of view is on my list for Instant film projects. That way if I shoot it a couple times the next time I’m on a wedding shoot I can add this angle to my bag of tricks. And, in order to to do I have to practice.
Point of view shots would be great for trying to show a particular scene from the subjects’ view. Imagine scooping ice cream on a hot summer day with the camera right at shoulder level. With the subjects hands and arms in the frames you could have a child watching on in anticipation.
Another possibility is if we can think of someone who does a skilled work of sorts. It doesn’t have to be limited to woodworking either it could be playing piano, or drawing. Pretty much anything.
My tips for shooting a point of view shot would be to do it from another person’s point of view. Which means you would be putting the camera right around their eye level. Try to include arms and hands to give it a proper point of view feel.
11. Guilty Pleasures
Speaking of ice cream!
Guilty pleasures are a great subject for instant photos. Anything from a good ice cream Sunday to a fresh pizza. If you’re of the crazy bunch who likes to make weird healthy snacks that look like tasty desserts, but don’t taste like them. Even you can benefit from this project!
This project doesn’t have to be junk food either. I include anything in the guilty pleasure category that is specific to you as an individual. Collecting PEZ? It’s a guilty pleasure. Essential oils? Yup, I describe it as a guilty pleasure.
My tip when shooting a guilty pleasure shot is try to remember to include some details that add context to the subject.
Consider a bright summer background for ice cream. For the PEZ scenario flipping the head dispenser back and getting a shot of a hand grabbing the candy. If you’re looking to get an essential oil instax photo maybe grabbing a single bottle from your collection? I think this would be a good attempt considering that most oils are used for specific purposes, and grabbing an individual oil may open a little story to what’s going on in the photo.
Give a couple a try, and see what you come up with!
12. Silhouettes
Taking some Instax photos of silhouettes is a perfect opportunity for instant film. There’s a certain mystery feeling that comes with taking instant film. Silhouettes plays right into this allure.
I personally like silhouettes of people. But, don’t limit the attempts to just people. There’s plenty of subjects we could focus on. Try getting some silhouettes of agriculture like corn, or equipment like tractors.
When shooting a silhouette it’s important to make sure the background is overexposed, and your silhouette subject is isolated from distractions.
13. Double Exposure
If your Instax camera has the ability to take double exposures you’re in for a treat!
This is a pretty cool effect that can take some unique photos.
There’s a little bit of a learning curve that comes from trying it the first few times. But, after a couple times you’ll get it pretty well.
There’s a couple steps that we have to take. The initial step is to put your Instax camera into multi-exposure.
The first step we have to do is take a photo of a texture of sorts. This can be a building wall like bricks, or a good gathering of plants.
The second step is to get your shot of your subject. When taking this shot make sure that you get lower that your subject. Keep your frame filled with mainly bright area like the sky. When taking this bright shot be sure to keep the sun out of the frame or you’ll have a black spot from the sun.
This will give you a multi exposure. It takes a little practice, and a couple shots. But, the practice will be worth it. Don’t be afraid of a bad shot!
First attempt at multi-exposure
14. Off camera Flash Portraits
This is my favorite! It requires a little extra equipment. If you’re willing, and you like portraits you’re going to love this project.
All that is required is a speed light, a stand and an shoot through umbrella. All the Instax cameras have flash. We’re going to use this flash to trigger the speed light that is set to slave mode.
It’s a little tricky, but we have to use or cell phone to block the flash from hitting our subject, and point it towards the speed light. Set the speed light to ¼ or ⅛ power to start. Place the flash at about a 45 degree angle from your subject.
Make sure the flash on your camera is on, and your speed light is on as well. You have to get your framing first. Once you block the flash you’ll also be blocking your viewfinder. Press the shutter button, and you’ve taken your first off camera flash with Instax.
Off camera flash taken with Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic
15. Reflections
Reflections are another great project for Instax film. Everyone likes a good photo of a reflection. There’s so many chances we have. Getting instant photos of reflections can turn a rainy afternoon into a good time to break out the Instax camera. Just be sure to keep your equipment dry!
Some good ideas for reflections are city lights. If you go for this shot be sure to use a tripod, get low, and use bulb mode. Bulb mode will allow for a longer shutter speed. The Instax Mini 90 will go up to 10 seconds. This will pull in more light, and make those lights shine.
Other good reflections are widows with people, try getting a reflection of a young one looking out the window on the rainy day.
More Projects to come!
This is my list of fifteen projects we can do with our Instax cameras to get some good instant photos.
I plan on working through a majority of this list myself. After I do I’m going to post fifteen more projects we can work on.
If you try any of these projects I would enjoy hearing how it went for you guys.
