9 year old boy: "The camera you got me is fun to use"

Eminuss · Mar 26, 2016

I' ve tried to get my kids into film countless times over the years. Until now I haven't been successful.

Today was my little boys 9th birthday. He got an Instax Mini 8.

Fantastic gift for him. The pics are small and cute but not tiny, the development time is super fast (he got to experienced the joy of watching it develop in front of him), and he loves the aesthetics of the piece (aka not old fashioned like all his dad's cameras). Plus, the pics have the "film" look to it - which for whatever reason I wasn't expecting.

He said to me "the camera you got me is fun to use", which was heavenly to hear.

Theo Sulphate · Mar 26, 2016

Congratulations on introducing your son to film photography! Great photo with the dog!

Welcome to APUG.

Oxleyroad · Mar 26, 2016

Great feeling isn't it.

My two kids (10 y/o and 8 y/o) now hover between their own Pentax point and shoot film cameras and digital. My son gets a kick out of telling his class mates they are just going to have to wait a week before they can look at his images.

bsdunek · Mar 26, 2016

Good idea! The Instax gives instant feedback, like digital, but is more like a film camera. Hopefully, he will transition into traditional film cameras. Just be sure to process/have processed his films quickly so he doesn't get tired of waiting.
Gave one of my Grandsons a P&S 35mm camera. He shot one roll (24 exp. to keep it short) and I processed it quickly. Unfortunately, his focus wanders (not the camera, in his head) and it's now lost somewhere in his bedroom. Oh, well, He'll find it soon and hopefully try it again.

Eminuss · Mar 26, 2016

I "built" a darkroom a couple months ago after er finding an inexpensive enlarger. I'm trying to work out how to get results that anyone other than myself will be happy with. So hopefully soon the boys can get somewhat the same instant gratification from roll film. But the "Polaroid" experience really is a nice thing in and of itself so I'm glad they've got that.

They're on the second pack of film already. I'm hoping they'll slow down but don't want to ruin it by asking them to.

CropDusterMan · Mar 26, 2016

That is so awesome! Anything you can do to to expose a child to an artistic creative endeavor is wonderful, and they will benefit from it.
Tried as I did, my son never took to any of the photography, art or cultural things I exposed him too...he is full on through and through
a digital aged, fast as can be, instant gratification kind of kid...but there's always hope! ;o) Pictures taken by kids can be quite fascinating...their perspective, not just stature but their visual sense.

mweintraub · Mar 28, 2016

Ah, Instax. The gateway film to hard core film-ism.

Sirius Glass · Mar 28, 2016

Welcome to APUG

Eminuss · Mar 28, 2016

I have been lurking for awhile of course, but thank you.

9 year old boy: "The camera you got me is fun to use"

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