How to use disposable cameras - 10 easy tips

Whoops! You’ve just lined up the perfect shot, pressed the shutter and… realised you forgot to advance your film. The camera wasn’t ready, the photo wasn’t taken, and that perfect moment has been lost forever. Frustrating. 

You definitely don’t want this to happen to you, so remember to advance your film straight after you’ve taken your last shot, as this will make sure your camera’s always ready for that next perfect photo. Simply turn the scroll wheel with your thumb until it can’t scroll any further, and then simply press the shutter when you’re ready for another snap. 

Lighting is the main thing you need to worry about when using disposable cameras. Forgetting to use the flash is a major whoopsie when you’re taking photos in darker environments because you’ll get nothing more than dark, grainy and ultimately rubbish photos that show absolutely nothing clearly. 

For the best results with a disposable camera, take as many photos as you can in daylight outdoors or somewhere indoors with excellent lighting. When you’re unsure if the lighting is good enough, we recommend using the flash - as it’s better for photos to be over-exposed than under-exposed. 

Oh, and don’t use the flash if you’re taking a selfie in the mirror, unless you want your photos to show nothing more than a great big blinding flash. No, we didn’t think so. 

Don’t be shy. All disposable cameras have fixed lenses, so you’ll be unable to zoom in on faces, places or whatever else might be in your photo. Instead, you’ll simply need to move a little closer to your subject if you want to capture more detail, or obviously move further away if you want to capture more of their surroundings. 

In most cases, the ideal distance is about 5 to 10 feet, with your subject positioned front and centre of your frame. Finding this magical sweet spot is particularly important when using disposable cameras at night, since the flash simply won’t reach your subject if you’re too far away. Doh!

Just like with your phone or digital camera, you should get creative with angles and perspectives when using a disposable camera. Although you won’t know what really works until your photos are developed, try taking photos higher up, lower down and from more creative angles to capture truly memorable photos. 

Hey, nobody wants to flick through photos that all look the same!

Disposable cameras are so quick and easy to use, there’s always a temptation to just simply point and shoot. However, this is different to using your phone or digital camera, as you’ll have a limited number of exposures and won’t want to waste a single frame. 

Although sometimes you’ll need to be quick on the shutter, rushing things too much can result in blurry faces, poor positioning and *shudder* fingers blocking your frame. Take the time to frame your shot carefully, and don’t be afraid to take multiple photos to increase your chances of capturing a perfect photo (even if you run out of exposures faster). 

Don’t worry, we get it. You don’t always have time to perfectly frame your photo. From big smiles to funny faces, some of your best photos will be far more spontaneous and candid. Hey, this is exactly why you always advance your film after the last photo. 

Since you literally just need to point and shoot, disposable cameras are perfect for capturing those unexpected, genuine and magical moments that will pass by in the blink of an eye. However, you should always be careful of subjects in motion, as the slow shutter speed means there’s a good chance your photos will be blurry!

Yep, we’ve already mentioned this but, it’s just so important, we’re gonna mention it all over again. All disposable cameras come with a limited number of exposures, which is usually indicated on the packaging or the camera itself (this info should also be clearly displayed before you buy a disposable camera online). 

This means you need to keep track of how many photos you have left, otherwise you risk running out of exposures at the worst possible time. You can usually see this number at the top of the camera right next to the shutter trigger, so keep an eye on it!

Let’s face it, disposable cameras often just aren’t as durable as other, more expensive cameras out there. To protect it from any damage, you should keep your camera away from extreme temperatures, avoid contact with water (unless it’s a waterproof camera) and, of course, keep it away from anyone with a serious case of butterfingers. 

Disposable cameras are a fun and nostalgic way of capturing photos, so it’s time to let your creativity run wild and come up with some truly unique shots. Don’t be afraid to experiment, try new things and ultimately enjoy the unpredictability and imperfection of your photos. 

Perhaps the most exciting part of using disposable cameras is not knowing exactly how your photos will turn out until they’ve been developed. There’s just nothing quite like the anticipation of seeing your printed photos for the first time, so embrace the element of surprise and have fun with this photography experience!