instant camera essay

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How Instant Film Works

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In 1947, an inventor named Edwin Land introduced a remarkable innovation to the world -- a film that developed itself in a matter of minutes. This new instant camera technology was a huge success for Land's company, the Polaroid Corporation . In 1949, Polaroid made more than $5 million in camera sales alone! Over the proceeding 50 years, the company carved out its own special niche, selling millions of instant cameras and more than a billion rolls of instant film.

In this article, we'll find out what's actually happening inside instant film while you're waiting for the image to appear. While it may seem like magic, the process is really very simple.

Instant camera film is pretty much the same thing as regular camera film , with a few extra elements. Before we get to those crucial additions, let's briefly examine film photography in general.

The basic idea of film is to capture patterns of light using special chemicals. The camera briefly exposes the film to the light coming from a scene (typically for a small fraction of a second), and where the light hits the film, it starts off a chemical reaction.

Normal film consists of a plastic base that is coated with particles of a silver compound . When this compound is exposed to a large number of light photons , it forms silver atoms . Black-and-white film has one layer of silver compound, while color film has three layers. In color film, the top layer is sensitive to blue light, the next layer is sensitive to green and the bottom layer is sensitive to red. When you expose the film, the sensitive grains at each layer react to light of that color, creating a chemical record of the light and color pattern.

To turn this into a picture, you have to develop the film using more chemicals. One chemical developer turns the exposed particles into metallic silver. The film is then treated with three different dye developers containing dye couplers . The three dye colors are:

• Cyan (a combination of green and blue light)
• Magenta (a combination of red and blue light)
• Yellow (a combination of green and red light)

Each of these dye-coupler types react with one of the color layers in the film. In ordinary print film, the dye couplers attach to particles that have been exposed. In color slide film, the dye couplers attach to the non-exposed areas.

Developed color film has a negative image -- the colors appear opposite of the colors in the original scene. In slide film, the two dyes that attach to the unexposed area combine to form the color captured at the exposed layer. For example, if the green layer is exposed, yellow and cyan dye will attach on either side of the green layer, but the magenta dye will not attach at the green layer. The yellow and cyan combine to form green. (For more in-depth informa­tion on the entire process, see How Cameras Work and How Photographic Film Works .)

The instant-camera developing process combines colors in the same basic way as slide film, but the developing chemicals are already present in the film itself. In the next section, we'll see how the developers are combined with the color layers to form the picture.

Pictures in an Instant

In the last section, we saw that instant camera film has three layers that are sensitive to different colors of light. Underneath each color layer, there is a developer layer containing dye couplers . All of these layers sit on top of a black base layer, and underneath the image layer , the timing layer and the acid layer . This arrangement is a chemical chain reaction waiting to be set in motion.

The component that gets the reaction going is the reagent (as in re-agent). The reagent is a mix of opacifiers (light-blockers), alkali (acid neutralizers), white pigment and other elements. It sits just above the light-sensitive layers and just below the image layer.

Before you take the picture, the reagent material is all collected in a blob at the border of the plastic film sheet, away from the light-sensitive material. This keeps the film from developing before it has been exposed. After you snap the picture, the film sheet passes out of the camera, through a pair of rollers. (In another configuration, often used by professional photographers, the reagent and developer are coated on a separate sheet which is pressed up against the film sheet for a set amount of time.)

The rollers spread the reagent material out into the middle of the film sheet, just like a rolling pin spreading out dough. When the reagent is spread in between the image layer and the light-sensitive layers, it reacts with the other chemical layers in the film. The opacifier material stops light from filtering onto the layers below, so the film isn't fully exposed before it is developed.

The reagent chemicals move downward through the layers, changing the exposed particles in each layer into metallic silver. The chemicals then dissolve the developer dye so it begins to diffuse up toward the image layer. The metallic silver areas at each layer -- the grains that were exposed to light -- grab the dyes so they stop moving up.

Only the dyes from the unexposed layers will move up to the image layer. For example, if the green layer is exposed, no magenta dye will make it to the image layer, but cyan and yellow will. These colors combine to create a translucent green film on the image surface. Light reflecting off the white pigment in the reagent shines through these color layers, the same way light from a bulb shines through a slide.

At the same time that these reagent chemicals are working down through the light-sensitive layers, other reagent chemicals are working through the film layers above. The acid layer in the film reacts with the alkali and opacifiers in the reagent, making the opacifiers become clear. This is what finally makes the image visible. The timing layer slows the reagent down on its path to the acid layer, giving the film time to develop before it is exposed to light.

One of the coolest things about instant photography, watching the image slowly come together, is caused by this final chemical reaction. The image is already fully developed underneath, but the opacifiers clearing up creates the illusion that it is forming right before your eyes.

For more information about instant film and photography in general, check out the links on the next page.

When the image finally forms on an instant photo, the developer dye hasn't dried completely -- it's the same basic consistency as wet ink. You can make some really cool pictures by spreading the dye around with a pencil or Q-tip. Make a self-portrait that's half photo, half painting!

Another option is to press the photo onto a sheet of paper to make a print . Or you can press it against your skin to make a photo-realistic temporary tattoo. Check out this site for more information.

Frequently Answered Questions

How long does instant film last, lots more information, related howstuffworks articles.

• How Photographic Film Works
• How Autofocus Cameras Work
• How Digital Cameras Work
• How Light Works
• How Cameras Work
• How does a pinhole camera work?

More Great Links

• The Polaroid Corporation
• Scientific American: Instant Film
• Polaroid Image Transfers
• The Hacker's Guide to the SX-70
• The Land List
• Polaroid: Instant Ideas

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Essay on Camera

Students are often asked to write an essay on Camera in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Camera

Introduction.

A camera is a device that captures images. These images can be still photographs or moving images such as videos.

Types of Cameras

There are many types of cameras including digital, film, professional, and phone cameras. Each type has its unique features.

Uses of Cameras

Cameras are used in various fields such as journalism, filmmaking, science, and more. They also help us capture life’s precious moments.

In conclusion, cameras are an important tool in our lives. They allow us to document and share our experiences.

250 Words Essay on Camera

The camera, a ubiquitous tool in today’s digital age, has revolutionized the way we perceive and capture the world around us. It has evolved from being a simple tool for documentation to a sophisticated device for artistic expression, communication, and data analysis.

The Evolution of the Camera

The camera’s journey began with the camera obscura, a simple optical device used in the Renaissance period. The invention of the daguerreotype in the 19th century marked the beginning of photography. The 20th century witnessed rapid advancements with the introduction of the Polaroid, enabling instant photography, and the digital camera, which eliminated the need for film.

The Camera in the Digital Age

Today, cameras are integrated into smartphones, drones, and even satellites, making photography accessible to all. They serve not just as tools for capturing memories, but also for communicating ideas and emotions. The rise of social media platforms has further amplified the role of the camera in our lives.

Cameras and Artificial Intelligence

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) with cameras has opened up new avenues. AI-enabled cameras can recognize faces, detect objects, and even predict behavior, finding applications in fields like surveillance, healthcare, and autonomous vehicles.

The camera, from its humble beginnings to its current advanced state, has significantly impacted society. As technology continues to evolve, the camera’s role will continue to expand, making it a vital tool in our increasingly visual and interconnected world.

500 Words Essay on Camera

Introduction: the camera as a tool of expression and documentation.

The camera, a revolutionary invention in the world of technology, has drastically shaped the way we perceive, interpret, and document reality. It is a device that captures light in a physical medium, either on film or digitally, to produce an image. Invented in the early 19th century, the camera has evolved significantly over time, from large, cumbersome devices to compact, sophisticated gadgets that can fit into our pockets.

The camera’s journey began with the camera obscura, a device that projected an image onto a surface through a small hole. This concept was later refined and developed into the daguerreotype, the first publicly available photographic process. However, these early cameras were limited in their capabilities, requiring long exposure times and producing images that were not easily reproducible.

The introduction of the dry plate process in the 1870s, followed by the invention of roll film in the 1880s, marked a significant turning point in the camera’s evolution. These innovations made photography more accessible and portable, paving the way for the first mass-produced camera, the Kodak Brownie, in 1900.

Modern Cameras and Technological Advancements

The advent of the digital era in the late 20th century brought about another profound shift in camera technology. Digital cameras, which capture and store images electronically rather than on film, have become the standard in recent years. They offer numerous advantages over their analog predecessors, including instant image review, larger storage capacity, and the ability to manipulate images digitally.

The Impact of Cameras on Society

Cameras have not only revolutionized the way we capture and share images, but also how we interact with the world. They have become a tool of expression and a means of communication, enabling us to document our lives, explore our creativity, and share our perspectives with others.

In journalism, cameras have played a pivotal role in bringing distant events and issues to the forefront of public consciousness. They have also transformed advertising, with high-quality images becoming a key component of successful marketing campaigns.

Conclusion: The Camera’s Role in the Future

As technology continues to advance, cameras will undoubtedly continue to evolve, offering ever greater capabilities and possibilities. Virtual reality cameras, 360-degree cameras, and advanced drone cameras are just a few examples of the exciting developments on the horizon.

Despite these technological advancements, the essence of the camera remains the same: it is a tool that allows us to capture, interpret, and share our view of the world. As such, it will continue to play a crucial role in our society, influencing how we communicate, express ourselves, and understand the world around us.

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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Instant Photography: the Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras

This essay about the enduring charm of Polaroid cameras in the digital era explores their unique position in the market and the reasons behind their continued popularity. Highlighting the camera’s ability to produce instant, tangible memories, it touches on the appeal of having a physical photograph in a time dominated by digital images. The target demographic for Polaroid cameras is identified as young adults and photography enthusiasts who are drawn to the authenticity and nostalgic value these cameras offer. The essay also discusses how Polaroid cameras enhance social events by providing an interactive experience, creating keepsakes that carry a sense of immediacy and intimacy absent in digital formats. It concludes by reflecting on the desire for genuine, unaltered moments in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, emphasizing the Polaroid camera’s role in preserving the art of capturing memories in their purest form.

How it works

In an era dominated by digital imagery and social media, the Polaroid camera, with its instant photo output, occupies a unique niche, blending nostalgia with modern photographic technology. This essay examines the appeal of Polaroid cameras in today’s digital-centric world, focusing on their target market and the reasons behind their enduring popularity.

The Polaroid camera, once a household name for instant photography, has experienced a resurgence in recent years. This revival is not merely a case of vintage charm; it reflects a deeper desire for tangible memories in a fast-paced digital world.

Polaroid cameras offer something that digital cameras and smartphones cannot: the immediate gratification of holding a physical photograph moments after capturing it. This unique feature appeals to a broad audience, from photography enthusiasts to millennials and Gen Zers seeking a retro experience.

The target market for Polaroid cameras is diverse, yet it’s clear that the brand has strategically positioned itself to appeal to the youth demographic. Social media platforms are awash with images of Polaroid shots, signaling a trend among younger users who crave authenticity and a personal touch in their photographs. These consumers appreciate the imperfections and the rawness of instant photos, viewing them as a form of self-expression and a break from the curated perfection seen on digital platforms.

Moreover, Polaroid cameras have carved out a niche in events and gatherings, where they add a fun and interactive element. They allow guests to capture moments and immediately display them or take them home as keepsakes. This instant physical connection adds a layer of intimacy to the photography experience, making Polaroids especially popular at weddings, parties, and other social events.

Despite the convenience of digital photography, the Polaroid camera’s appeal lies in its ability to create unique, one-of-a-kind mementos. Each Polaroid photo is an unalterable snapshot of a moment, untouched by filters or digital enhancements. This authenticity is something that more people are beginning to value, especially in an age where digital content is ephemeral and easily manipulated.

In conclusion, the Polaroid camera continues to thrive in the target market of young adults and photography enthusiasts who value the tangible, nostalgic experience it offers. Its success in the digital age is a testament to the enduring appeal of physical photographs and the human desire for authentic, personal connections. As digital technology continues to evolve, the Polaroid camera reminds us of the power of capturing moments in their purest form, providing a counterbalance to the fleeting nature of digital imagery.

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Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras. (2024, Mar 25). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/

"Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras." PapersOwl.com , 25 Mar 2024, https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/ [Accessed: 29 Aug. 2024]

"Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras." PapersOwl.com, Mar 25, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/

"Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras," PapersOwl.com , 25-Mar-2024. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/. [Accessed: 29-Aug-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2024). Instant Photography: The Timeless Appeal of Polaroid Cameras . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/instant-photography-the-timeless-appeal-of-polaroid-cameras/ [Accessed: 29-Aug-2024]

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The Best Instant Camera

By Arriana Vasquez and Erin Roberts

Instant cameras embody the magic of photography: With the press of a shutter button, you can capture the world around you and see tangible results in seconds. For high-quality, retro-cool prints at a reasonable price, we think the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is a great choice.

Everything we recommend

Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40

The best instant camera.

Fun, simple to use, and good-looking, this instant camera makes beautiful photos on square prints.

Buying Options

Fujifilm Instax Square Film (Twin Pack)

Instax square film.

Buying Square film in twin packs helps you get the best price.

May be out of stock

Budget pick

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

A cheaper, cuter instant camera.

This camera comes in more color options and makes beautiful wallet-sized photos for 60¢ per print.

Fujifilm Instax Mini Film (Twin Pack)

Instax mini film.

Buying Mini film in twin packs helps you get the best price.

Upgrade pick

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

A high-quality hybrid camera.

This small instant-and-digital hybrid camera delivers instant prints and a digital review screen, but at a premium cost.

How we picked

An instant camera should be simple to use, so we looked for cameras that let you start snapping pictures with minimal instruction.

If the film is too expensive, you’re probably not going to want to use the camera all the time, so we prioritized film that costs less than $1 a print.

We picked cameras with refill packs that are easy to find just about anywhere.

Cameras that die quickly are no fun, so we looked for those that can shoot at least 100 images per battery set.

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is a good-looking camera with leatherette details and minimal controls that make it easy for anyone to use. It makes square images set in 3.4-by-2.8-inch borders that cost about $1 each. Its photos aren’t perfectly sharp, but they are pleasingly colorful and creamy, with a classic look that we love.

Unlike the SQ40, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 has a toylike aesthetic and makes rectangular images (3.4 by 2.1 inches, including the frame) that are significantly cheaper, at about 60¢ apiece . Like our top pick, its controls are simple, and it’s easy to use. While its photos aren’t perfectly sharp, they’re dreamy and make for fun wallet-sized gifts. It’s a perfect gift for someone younger in your life.

The Instax Mini Evo is the best attempt at a hybrid instant-and-digital camera we’ve seen so far. It offers all the analog charm of an instant camera but lets you choose which images to print onto Instax Mini film using a small LCD screen—something our other picks lack. A smartphone app unlocks features that the tech savvy will have fun fiddling with, including remote shooting and the ability to print images from a smartphone library.

Just like our budget pick, prints cost 60¢ apiece . But the camera itself is more than double the cost of our top pick.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: fujifilm instax square sq40, budget pick: fujifilm instax mini 12, upgrade pick: fujifilm instax mini evo, other good instant cameras, what to look forward to, the competition.

Arriana Vasquez is a senior updates writer for Wirecutter and a professional photographer. Her photography ranges from studio portraits to influencer, product, and street photography. She has worked on several camera-related guides for Wirecutter, including the best instant photo printer , the best tripod , and the best cell-phone tripod .

Instant cameras are for everybody because they’re fun and easy to use, and they create a unique aesthetic that can’t be perfectly reproduced by a smartphone camera. Most models don’t have any built-in memory or accept memory cards, so the images you take and the prints they make are truly once in a lifetime. They’re durable enough to accompany you on random outings, simple enough for anyone to pick up and use, and cheap enough to hand to friends to use during big life moments like weddings.

The prints you get from Instax cameras are the right combination of soft and saturated to give you an instant sense of nostalgia. They don’t have the crisp, color-accurate look of inkjet prints made from fancy digital cameras, and that’s why we love them. You can keep the prints in a photo book , string them up somewhere visible, or (in the case of our budget and upgrade picks) stow them away in your wallet.

If you’d prefer to snap photos with your phone and print them later, you might want an instant printer .

In searching for the best instant cameras, we compared models based on the following criteria:

• Easy to use: This should be a fun camera that can be enjoyed without much instruction. We believe part of the allure of an instant camera is being able to pass it around at any social gathering.
• Reasonably priced film: No instant film is cheap, but if the price is significantly more than $1 a print, you have to get a really nice photo to warrant that expense.
• Widely available film refills: If it’s hard to find more film packs for the camera, you’re less likely to use it, so we picked cameras with refill packs that are easy to find just about anywhere.
• Decent battery life: You should never have to bring more than one set of spare batteries when you take your instant camera out for the day. We looked for cameras that are rated to let you shoot at least 100 photos with a set of batteries, and we gave extra points to those that were able to shoot many more than that.

Since 2013, we’ve compared instant-camera usability, image quality, and features by shooting in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions. We’ve also put the cameras through the most appropriate real-world examination we could think of: the party test. What happens when a novice shooter picks this thing up at a gathering? Is it fun to pass around and shoot with at a company holiday party or a family dinner?

While capturing hundreds of instant photos, we took note of whether our friends and family could easily figure out how to use the camera. We also got their opinions on the image quality to supplement our own (and perhaps more critical) assessment.

While that past research continues to influence our top picks, most of the newest cameras have pared-down features compared to their predecessors, so we’ve shifted our focus away from lots of exposure control and more toward ease of use and film-replacement availability.

If you’re looking for a fun, good-looking camera that’s easy to use, the Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 is the one we recommend. With its minimalist design and controls, we found that this camera works great for on-the-go photography and capturing spontaneous moments.

It’s incredibly easy to use. The Square SQ40 has just three settings: on, off, and close-up (for selfies). To turn it on, you rotate the ring around the lens clockwise, and that’s it. Setting it to “close-up” is just a matter of rotating the same ring a little further. There’s a built-in flash that fires automatically, so you can capture moments even in low-light situations.

The SQ40 makes pictures measuring 2.5 inches square, which are set inside 3.4-by-2.8-inch white borders. The cost of prints is a little more expensive than those of our other picks, at about $1 each .

The prints have that classic instant-photo look. Photos printed from the SQ40 are just as creamy and filmlike as you would expect from a classic instant camera, with rich, saturated colors. But they’re not as sharp as what you can get from our upgrade pick . We like the sharp, modern look of the camera body, too. When I pulled it out to test during an event, several friends asked about it.

While the SQ40 doesn’t offer as many creative options as the Instax Mini Evo (like adding vignette, fish-eye, and double-exposure effects), its simplicity is part of the charm. When you’re snapping family barbecue pics, being able to just turn it on and snap away—or hand it off to a kid relative without much explanation—makes it a no-brainer.

It’s perfect for selfies. You won’t find much in the way of controls beyond on and off, but the SQ40 does have a selfie mirror, making it easy to frame your photos from in front of the camera.

The camera feels well built. The SQ40 feels solid enough to withstand the occasional drop. It’s also slightly larger than the rest of our picks—similar in height but about an inch wider than our budget pick, and an inch and a half wider than our upgrade pick.

The battery life is decent. The SQ40 runs on two CR2 batteries that last about 100 shots—likely long enough for a few outings, if you’re not too eager with the shutter button.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

• The flash fires automatically, which is great in low light, but we noticed it often caused the background of our selfies to go completely black. It’s not a big deal, unless you’re trying to capture yourself in a certain environment or in front of something specific.
• The viewfinder is very small, which could be challenging for people who wear glasses.
• While the battery life is adequate, not all local stores will carry CR2 batteries, so it’s best to order an extra pair or two in advance.
• It comes only in black, so if you prefer something more colorful, you might consider our budget pick.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 is similar to our main pick in nearly every way, but in a smaller, cuter body, and it prints rectangular images instead of square ones. It’s also $70 cheaper than our top pick, and prints cost 40¢ less apiece (at the time of writing).

The controls could not be much simpler. Like our top pick, the Mini 12 has just three controls: on, off, and close-up (for selfies). It also fires the flash with every shot, and there’s a small mirror for framing and capturing yourself (and your friends).

The film is easy to find. Film refills for the Mini 12 are sold just about everywhere. And at 3.4 by 2.1 inches (including borders, which surround a 2-by-2.5-inch image area), the photos you get from this camera are just a tad smaller than a credit card, making them perfect for toting around in your wallet. Prints from the Mini 12 are just as creamy and filmlike as those from our top pick, though not as sharp as those from our upgrade pick .

Batteries are readily available, too. The Mini 12 runs on two AA batteries for around 100 shots before they need to be replaced. The SQ40, our top pick, requires CR2 batteries, which aren’t as easy to find—especially if you need replacements quickly.

It’s not a sleek, modern-looking device, but it’s very cute. The Mini 12 is smaller than our top pick and comes in fun colors, but with its rounded features, it can feel a little more childish than our top or upgrade picks.

If you want more control over your photos, you want to be able to save them to a microSD card, or you want to be able to choose which images you print and which you don’t, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo probably has your name on it. It uses the same film as our budget pick but offers some of the advantages of a digital camera—things like a screen to review your shots, filters, and discretionary printing—in a smaller, more portable package that’s still easy to use.

The Mini Evo prints better photos than other Instax cameras, too. In our side-by-side tests, images from the Mini Evo were sharper and more vibrant than those from our top and budget picks.

It gives you more control over your images . Compared to the SQ40 or Instax Mini 12, the Mini Evo lets you change a lot more about the look of your photos. A rotating dial around the lens lets you apply effects like vignetting, fish-eye distortion, and double exposure. Best of all, these adjustments are nondestructive—anything you add to the image before printing won’t alter the original shot.

On the top of the camera, another dial adds film effects that alter the colors of the image. For example, the Vivid setting makes colors more punchy, while Sepia gives photos a warm tint. The back screen previews these effects as you add them.

A half-press of the shutter button employs AE/AF lock (meaning the camera locks in the exposure and focal point, so they won’t change even if your subject does). On the LCD screen, a green square indicates your focus point. You can also play with exposure compensation before snapping a shot, and the autofocus illuminator light helps the camera find focus in low-light settings.

You can choose which images to print. Unlike most other instant cameras, you can choose which images to print or print a favorite image over and over again. Our top and budget picks are true instant cameras, meaning they print just one fleeting moment at a time.

You don’t need to look at the manual to start shooting. Even with its added controls, the Mini Evo makes it easy enough to start shooting, reviewing, and printing images without ever peeking at the instruction manual. Even a total novice should be able to produce shots immediately.

With a sleek, solid build and a size roughly that of a standard point-and-shoot camera, the Evo also looks like it could withstand a drop or two. And though we wouldn’t hesitate to toss it into a bag, it’s also small enough to fit into most coat pockets.

You can save images to a microSD card . Unlike our main and budget picks, which don’t have any storage, the Evo can store about 45 images in its internal memory, and its additional microSD allows for far more storage—and also means you can offload your images onto a computer.

The Instax Mini Evo app has lots of features. You can transfer photos from the camera onto your phone via the free app ( Android , iOS ), and from there, post them to all your social media platforms. The app also lets you print images stored on your smartphone, use your phone as a remote control, and customize three physical shortcut buttons on the camera.

It has a built-in rechargeable battery. The battery is rated to last about 100 shots per charge. Compared to the AA or CR2 batteries required in our other picks, it’s nice not having to worry about replacing the batteries every so often. But if the battery dies while you’re out, you can’t just swap it out for a new pair.

It’s awkward to use for landscape photos. We found the ergonomics of the camera a bit unwieldy. Like some other Instax cameras, the Mini Evo is easier to use in portrait orientation than in landscape mode. In landscape, you’re forced to use your left forefinger to trigger the shutter button, which feels more unnatural than it might sound.

If you want square images but a colorful camera: The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1 is just as easy to use as our pick, but it comes in a few different colors. The camera is about the same size as the SQ40, but with a slightly different body design that feels more plasticky, which we didn’t like as much as our pick.

If you prefer wide, landscape-oriented images: The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 ’s 2.4-by-3.9-inch image area with classic white borders is ideal for landscape and group shots. Like the SQ40, the cost per image is about $1 . The Wide 300 offers a button for exposure compensation and another for flash output, so you get a little more control over your image than you do with our top pick, but it’s considerably heavier and bulkier, too.

We are currently testing the latest instant camera from Fujifilm, the Instax Mini 99 . We plan to try out all the new features, including brightness control, the ability to select focus zones, and color effects.

We're also preparing to test several other models. The NONS SL660 is an SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, and the InstantFlex TL70 Plus is a twin-lens camera. Both of these models are compatible with Fujifilm Instax Square Film. Additionally, we'll be exploring the InstantKon RF70 , which uses Instax Wide film.

Lastly we're planning to test the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro , a hybrid instant camera that captures digital images and prints them as framed or frameless 3-by-3-inch Polaroid-style photos. It also features a companion app that lets you add stickers and frames to photos, or correct blemishes before printing.

We’ll update this guide with all the testing details and any new picks when we have them.

This is not a comprehensive list of all instant cameras we’ve tested. We have removed any cameras that have been discontinued or that do not meet our current requirements.

The Polaroid I-2 Instant Camera has a premium build and is fun to use, but our results were mixed. We liked that it was easy to adjust settings, and switching from full auto to manual is as easy as pressing one button a few times. A light meter in the viewfinder is intended to help you make sure your images are properly exposed, and it was easy to dial in the settings. But images from our testing were inconsistent, with some shots coming out overexposed even when the meter indicated proper exposure. Other shots came out oddly cropped or out of focus, despite using the built-in parallax guide (for close-up shots) or half-press focus lock.

These same complaints apply to all of Polaroid’s new cameras. And in the case of the Polaroid Now , getting blurry and over- or underexposed prints at $2 a pop feels especially frustrating. The new Polaroid film also needs to be shaded from light for 15 minutes as it develops, so forget shaking it like a Polaroid picture. The camera spits out a thin black shield of plastic over the image as it emerges from the camera, a design that makes this camera a bit nerve-racking to share. (You’re always worried that someone will tear the shield off and inadvertently waste that precious i-Type film with their impatience.) You also won’t know if you’ve got a decent shot until those 15 minutes are up, so the likelihood of recapturing that decisive moment again is slim.

Vintage Polaroid cameras, such as the beautiful SX-70, need to use old Polaroid film, and unfortunately, production of real Polaroid film ended in 2008. New versions are now being made by the new Polaroid, but photographers we’ve talked to have also found this film to be unreliable, with questionable long-term storage results.

Fujifilm dominates the instant-camera field, and we’ve looked at nearly every Instax model the company has ever released. Of the other currently available models, the Instax Mini 70 and Instax Mini 11 don’t offer the same balance of image quality, usability, and value compared with our picks.

Zink prints have disqualified quite a few other cameras and printers in this category in the past, and has led us to dismiss Canon’s Ivy Cliq+ and Ivy Cliq cameras, too.

Kodak has also tried its own 4Pass Photo Paper in both the Mini Shot and the Kodak Photo Printer Mini 2 . While the credit-card-sized prints (which are also stickers) are sharp and vibrant, the process is slow, and the final output is missing some of the nostalgic softness of an Instax print that harkens back to Polaroids of old. The wide angle of the Mini Shot camera also distorted our images for some unflattering results.

Lomography’s Lomo’Instant Automat series cameras look cool, and they use Fujifilm’s readily available and reasonably priced Instax Mini film packs. Features such as endless multiple exposures are interesting, but controls are marked with difficult-to-decipher hieroglyphic symbols. Aimed at the advanced instant shooter, most of the cameras in this series are bundled with fish-eye, wide-angle, and close-up lens attachments, which we found more cumbersome than useful.

Lomography’s Lomo’Instant Wide cameras are designed to shoot on Fujifilm’s Instax Wide film. They have the same three shooting modes as the Lomo’Instant, plus a shutter remote in the lens cap. Our big problem with the Lomo’Instant series are its clunky controls and strange layout, and the Lomo’Instant Wide offers more of the same, making this series an easy dismissal.

While the Mint InstantFlex TL70 2.0 may be the coolest instant camera we’ve ever seen (twin-lens reflex! manual focus!), nearly $400 is too much to pay. It also makes the camera too expensive to be passed around at a party, which takes away from the instant fun.

This article was edited by Phil Ryan and Erica Ogg.

Meet your guides

Arriana Vasquez

Arriana Vasquez is a senior updates writer for powering, home office, cameras, and hobbies at Wirecutter. When she's not taking photos, she's reading or running D&D games. She is the producer and dungeon master of After Work Adventurers , a live-play D&D campaign on YouTube.

Erin Roberts

Erin Roberts is a freelance writer reporting on cameras and camera accessories at Wirecutter. She started her career as a photojournalist working in newspapers—shooting film—and was the mobile-imaging editor at DPReview. She is also a professional photographer who has made her living photographing everything from rock stars to humpback whales.

Further reading

Gen Z Is Bringing Back “Vintage” Point-and-Shoot Cameras. Our Experts Weigh In.

by Annemarie Conte

Vintage compact point-and-shoot cameras are all the rage. Here’s how to get one of your own or something you might like even better.

The Best Disposable Cameras

by Phil Ryan

Fujifilm’s QuickSnap Flash 400 and Kodak’s FunSaver one-time-use cameras will give you reliably great color results at your next party or gathering.

The Camp Snap Camera Is Great for Kids. There’s Just One Big Problem.

by Arriana Vasquez

The Camp Snap camera is cheap, rugged, and fun to use—especially for younger photographers. But a few significant flaws kept us from completely falling in love.

The Best Instant Photo Printer

Our pick for the best instant photo printer is simple to use, and it’s light and small enough to carry. It uses easy-to-find, affordable film, too.

Updated: 7 best instant cameras

Updated March 2024

Instant cameras have dominated camera sales for over a decade. They've become more than cameras; they're part of pop culture, and it's not uncommon to see special edition instant cameras by the likes of Taylor Swift or BTS .

Even as DSLR and mirrorless camera sales have declined recently, instant cameras, particularly Instax cameras from Fujifilm, have flourished. Perhaps that is due to its appeal as a more tactile, physical and social form of photograph, something that hearkens back to a yesteryear of experimenting with film and spending more time having fun and less time pixel peeping.

If you're new to instant cameras or in the market for your next one, we've looked at the landscape and have broken down the seven best instant cameras you can buy today.

Instant camera film stocks

It's best to start with the film stock when considering instant cameras. Fujifilm's Instax film is by far the most popular and widely available. It has been adopted by cameras made by Leica , Lomography and the occasional startup . Instax film comes in three types (mini, square and, wide), and they're not interchangeable, so deciding which format of Instax you're most interested in before picking out a camera is vital.

There is also Polaroid film, which is presently used only by Polaroid cameras. We liked the color film for its muted colors and staying true to the nostalgic Polaroid look (which we should note is not the same film as the Polaroid of the 70s-90s, but a modern stock made by the Dutch company formerly known as the Impossible Project).

But we also feel that, side by side, Instax film had better color and contrast and was more pleasing to the eye overall. Another consideration for budget-conscious shutterbugs, Polaroid's instant film options tend to be more expensive than Instax, running roughly $2 a shot to Instax's roughly $1 per exposure.

A little less popular is the Zink format, which is less of a film stock and more of a printing paper. We've seen this format show up in offerings from Kodak and Canon . Zink prints are the most economical, costing about $0.50 per shot. Unlike Instax and Polaroid film, which expose images on a light-reactive surface, Zink is photo paper with embedded ink dyes. Dyes in the paper are pressure-released and mixed to print photos. These prints tend to produce a wider range of colors than its competitors but struggle with blacks, often lacking contrast, and there's concern over how long prints last, with some from a decade ago showing extensive fading.

Picking a film stock will come down to taste. However, we recommend Instax Mini. Photos are vibrant and of good quality. It's also a widely used format, which makes it unlikely it'll be hard to find. And it's affordable compared to Polaroid.

Now that you are aware of the different types of film, it's time to pick a camera.

Our recommendations

Best entry-level instant camera: fujifilm instax mini 12, best-looking entry-level instant camera: fujifilm instax mini 40, best step-up instant camera: fujifilm instax mini 99, best wide instax camera: instax wide 300, best "overkill" instax-film camera: nons sl660, best instant hybrid digital camera: fujifilm instax mini evo, best instant camera if you don't want instax: polaroid i-2.

For casual and beginners seeking a way into instant photography and having fun with analog photography, the Mini 12 fits the bill. It has one-button operation, includes a tiny selfie mirror and, most of all, it's affordable. Instax cameras aren't very complicated to begin with, and the Mini 12 is as simple as it can be. Everything is automatic, from flash control to exposure, and the emphasis is on picture-making; point it at something from 1-1.5m (4-5ft) away, click and out pops a photo. (As its name implies, it uses the mini format of Instax film which is easy to find.)

Pricing for older models like the Mini 11 isn't much lower than the Mini 12 and we don't recommend them. There are subtle improvements new to this model that might keep users from getting frustrated, such as parallax correction, which aligns the viewfinder with the lens when using Close-Up Mode so users no longer have to guess where the center of the frame is (and waste film).

One limiting factor to consider is the lack of flash control, which means that if you're too close to someone/something, you will overexpose them/it. It's only worth mentioning, as something to be aware of, most instant cameras don't let users control the flash until you get into more expensive cameras.

An Instax Mini 11 in a much much nicer suit, the Instax Mini 40 wraps itself in faux leather and silver trim for a retro rangefinder-eque design. The specs are identical to the Mini 11, so you won't gain the Mini 12's parallax correction to align the viewfinder with the lens in Close-Up Mode. Otherwise, you'll still have an easy-to-use, automatic camera that accepts Mini film. It's more 'grownup' than the candy-colored plastic design of the Mini 12, but the cool factor comes at a slightly higher cost.

Read our Instax Mini 40 hands-on

If you're looking for more control than the super-simple one-button operation of the Mini 12 or Mini 40, the Instax Mini 99 may be right up your alley. It's a very fun-to-use camera that adds a few modes to introduce new tricks. Fujifilm took the basic idea of the Mini camera line and added user controls for exposure, color effects and creative modes, such as double exposure, bulb mode and long exposure mode (up to 10 seconds).

At the heart of this model, and the key thing that makes it different from other Instant cameras on the market, is an array of four internal LED lights that can be set to introduce color casts and creative flares. A color effect dial along the left edge of the top plate has six settings to choose from; each setting triggers the internal LEDs to create effects ranging from 'light leak' to 'warm tones' to an assortment of green, blue, red and yellow color casts.

There's also a brightness control dial, which introduces up to +/- 2 exposure compensation. Several custom modes such as 'indoor' and 'sport' round out the offerings that make this camera a step up from the Mini 12. They also threw in a rechargeable battery while they were at it.

The result feels a little like an Instax camera by way of a Holga 120N , in that it emphasizes experimentation with light, color, flares, double exposures and vignetting in ways previous Instax cameras have not.

If the Mini format feels too narrow, and it is if you're seeking large group shots or landscapes, there's the Instax Wide 300 ($120), also Fujifilm's only wide format camera.

Shooting Wide film (about twice the width of Mini format) has to be your priority before you consider this camera. The camera itself has limited exposure compensation control and two motor-driven focus positions; otherwise, it's fully automatic. There is an attachment for close-ups (down to 40cm). It's also pretty bulky due to the wide format film, but the larger size does gain a comfortable hand grip.

We also considered the Lomography Lomo'Instant Wide ($170) as an alternative. Like the Wide 300, it's also a simple-to-use camera, but this model adds some manual controls, modes like multiple exposure mode, flash gels, an ultra wide-angle attachment lens and a remote trigger switch (but it's on the lens cap, making it prone to accidental presses when you go to remove/replace the cap). There is a bit of a learning curve to using the camera. Focusing is difficult and we found the plastic build to be lacking in ergonomics. We didn't think the added cost was worth recommending it over the solid and reliable Wide 300.

Built like a tank with anodized aluminum alloy, weighing nearly 900g (2 lbs), with an EF-style lens mount, the Nons SL660 brings the SLR experience to instant photography. At $600, it's only for the most passionate and dedicated photographers seeking a manual SLR-style instant camera that uses Instax Square film. There's shutter control, bulb mode, a hot shoe for external flash and the camera supports multiple exposures.

Introducing interchangeable lenses with a TTL viewfinder makes using EF lenses or compatible adapters for other glass possible. A note: there are no electronic contacts on the EF-style mount, so you won't be able to adjust the aperture on genuine EF lenses and it'll default to their widest setting. Using EF adapters, older manual lenses with an aperture ring can be used.

It's pricey, but that price tag gives users solid build quality, a premium feel and new creative possibilities with instant photography.

Read our Nons SL660 review

If you're not ready to commit to a fully analog experience, a few instant cameras have combined digital capture with instant film printing. We like Fujifilm's Instax Mini Evo. It's about $120 more than the analog Mini 12 and you gain a digital camera and a collection of lens effects and film effects such as monochrome, vivid and sepia. The digital images are rather small at 2560 x 1920 (4.9MP), so it won't be mind-blowing.

There is also a tradeoff in giving up the experience of seeing a photo develop and waiting to see if you got the shot that makes instant photography unique, so on a base level, it is a different experience.

It's a bit of having your cake and eating it too; you can capture digital images and then decide which ones you want to print out on instant film. This saves printing costs for only those choice images you genuinely want and makes it easier to transfer digital files to your computer or smartphone for saving and sharing.

Our reservations over its film being more expensive and not as punchy aside, the Polaroid I-2 is truly one of the best-built instant cameras on the market. It's rather pricey, $600, which is due to all the tech jammed inside it and the purpose it was built for: for advanced users who want to revisit Poloroid's i-Type, 600, and SX-70 film.

The camera has full manual controls, aperture and shutter priority modes, LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) autofocus and a sharp 38mm f/3.2 equiv. lens. You also get flash on/off control, an uncommon feature for instant cameras.

Polaroid spent four years developing the I-2, tapping retired Olympus engineers for AF and lens design assistance. Every detail feels intentional, from a viewfinder with displays for current shutter speed, aperture, meter reading, remaining shots, battery life and flash status to the simple film-loading mechanism.

We still prefer Instax's color, contrast and price, but this is the camera to beat if you're drawn to Polaroid films.

Read our Polaroid I-2 review

🤳 Selfi mirror is present only on cheapest models!? 🤯 What's wrong with the world today? Is every corporation so malicious, that as soon as it doesn't need to fight over its share of the market, worse products and worse customer service became a standard?

I'm pretty sure the Mini Evo has one, and it's the most expensive in the Instax range (Wide aside). it's possible it isn't about price but some models just being older or some other arbitrary decision.

You lost me at “malicious”.

@luka3rd – perhaps the people in charge are not 'malicious' per se, but sometimes it feels like it. It's not a new thing, though – it's called market economy, which has always been not only about charging customers as much as possible for as little a product as possible, but also about getting the most work out of employees for as little wage as possible.

I've checked... No model over 200ish $ in this article has selfi mirror, or the pictures are wrong. PS sorry if my previous comment is misunderstood, but understanding is merely the consequence of experience.

Is a smartphone also an instant camera ? You have the device mostly in your pocket and photos are instantly available and can be shared. So why another instant camera like this ?

I'd have to say no. The category of instant cameras is defined by their ability to make instant prints. You could pair your phone with an instant printer to cobble together devices to make your own Franken-instant-camera I suppose.

There's something very very different about sharing prints/film than sharing online, and it's quite the novelty for younger generations too.

Even if you go the Instax printer route, it's worth exploring IMO. I've gifted/used several instant cameras (all Fuji), and I enjoy shooting with my Pixel 8 & my FF kit, my Instax Square Link comes with me every single trip tho.

Yes, smartphone and every digital camera is also an instant camera. The point of the first instant camera was to take a picture and see the result instantly, and it was only analog because it was limited by the technology of its time (Anyone claiming otherwise is kidding themselves). However, analog instant camera still has a place in this world just like a film camera, which you can say is inferior in almost every aspect to a modern digital camera.

You are right, everybody has the phone. If you need instant photos, buy a Canon Selphy (about AUD$200) and pack of 54 4x6 (10x15cm) paper (about AUD$30) and you have instant photos printed whenever, wherever. Much better quality, much bigger size of print, much lower cost. Push of the button, rechargeable and the best of all, you can keep on taking photos while it prints in background.

The Selphy printers are a great value, I own/like one, but they're not super portable tbh... More like transportable. If you have somewhere to setup they're great, but they require that and the battery doesn't last that long, whereas an Instax printer can run while you're holding it or right from your bag, and the cameras are of course even more instant.

An Instax printer spits out a print in like 11s even if it then takes time to develop, the Selphy has to run a paper back and forth thru it while it lays down 4 different layers... It's a very different experience in use, you're never gonna bust out the Selphy to gift someone on the street a photo.

"quite the novelty for younger generations"

So, what's next? Speaking in complete sentences? Tatless skin?

Why isn’t there any other full manual control?

No mentioning of the Mint cameras. Is there anything wrong with them?

I went with Instax SQ1, I guess I bought the wrong thing. I really like the square format for instant and not willing to spend $600 on the camera. Oh well.

Having an instant camera is a different experience than the film cameras. I had the Polaroid SZ-70 back in the days and granted it was expensive, having an instant print right there with you within minutes is very gratifying than waiting for the film to be develop and printed. Same with digital cameras, one has to have access to printer which will take a day or more to get a print out.

I would get the Polaroid I-2 (or any of the better instant camera) IF and only IF, the manufacturers will implement a couple of things: 1)add a memory slot (micro SD will be fine for me). That way, I can get the instant print out and at the same time, have a digital copy to play with in PP. And 2) AI sw similar to the latest camera phone, iPhone 15 Pro Max or latest Samsung.

I have instant fun with the Instax Square Back for Mamiya RB and the Lomo 4x5 Instax Back on the Polaroid Pathfinder 110B.

My 4x5 + Lomograflok instax back is a hit at parties, every time.

In some respects, you may be better off just jumping in and getting a basic 35mm film camera over one of these instant cameras. Take for example the Polaroid ONeStep system. For about $120 you could buy a used film camera (PS or possibly an SLR with a lens). And the Polaroids come out to about $2 per shot. If you shot a roll of 36 exposures, it would cost you about $60-70 for the Polaroid, whereas with a regular roll of film, including the film and processing might be $30-$40.

So if you plan to do a reasonable amount of shooting ,you may be better off just getting a real film camera and starting with that. Plus if you ever decide you don't want to shoot film anymore, the resale value of many film cameras would be much higher than an instant camera so you could get some or most of your money back possibly if you ever decided film was not for you or you get tired of it.

I'd say even getting one of the cheap resuable $50 cameras would be a cheaper option overall.

"In some respects, you may be better off just jumping in and getting a basic 35mm film camera over one of these instant cameras."

That's definitive true that a basic 35mm film camera is going to let you get sharper images with better dynamic range. At the same time, waiting to finish a roll, then sending it for be process/printed is a categorically different experience than holding a print in your hand ~3 second later and seeing it develop over the next 60 seconds. As I mentioned in other posts... being able to meet someone and "give" them a photo is a uniquely social experience (even more so than digital sending a copy of the photo to them)

Also Instax Square film is about half the cost of Polaroid ($1 per shot) while also being more consistent in exposure and color rendering. Instax Mini is smaller... but down to $0.67 per shot

Not even talking about sharpness here though. Just cost-wise in general... Now the Instax films and cameras may be more of a wash, or slightly cheaper than regular film and processing.

Sure... film photography in general is always never a great cost tradeoff in general.

"Instant film" cameras main feature is having your print near instantly - so you can show/give the print to someone else in the moment, especially if you don't know that person well or see them regularly. So you are perhaps trading some financial efficiency for social spontaneity.

There's also a degree of permanence or something personal in sharing a print, sure the photo you posted online might outlive it but how many people will see it again past the first scroll? That print that you share with someone is someone tangible that hangs around on the fridge, desk, etc. for at least a little while.

I went with an Instax printer myself which sorta combines both worlds (while still using film) even if it isn't quite as instant, but I can totally see the appeal of the cameras. I wish Fuji would make an Instax Square Evo.

The whole point of these is that you can share them instantly. Film I think would be a last choice in terms of market this is aimed at. Digital can send it immediately to be printed, or use a portable printer and have them right away. These instant cameras the print is right there.

Weird. Any digital camera (including smartphones) is an instant camera as it displays the picture instantly on its screen, even faster than these 1970s models print the picture on paper.

"Instant print" camera. For some reason the primordial part of the human brain reacts differently to physical media and there is a mental barrier to making a print as a separate act (people suddenly start get self-conscious of whether the image is "print worthy" and curating/editing/manipulating the image first)

I wholehearted made the jump to digital 25 years ago... but playing with an Instax camera can be fun in a casual social setting. In particular, the engagement I get with my portrait subjects because instead of "may I take your photo?" and I can say "may I *give* you a photo?"

While technically far worse than my digital photos - instant photo automatically have a sense of spontaneity and immediacy that aren't always captured in digital and so it's fun to do it once in a while.

That is indeed a good reason. And the Fujifilm hybrid is a good option: one can check the image before actually printing.

Generally "instant" cameras implies printing (right) after the shot is taken. Yes you could consider a smartphone to be an "instant" camera but the point of instant cameras in this regard is to have a physical print afterwards (usually, immediately).

Incredible how people just don't get it. "But my phone shows it right away on the screen and I can send it to my friends too". 😅

Every time I've used an instant camera, it's been at some party where any random person can pick up the instant camera and walk away with a print in five seconds. If your alternative is a wireless printer, it's hardly a substitute unless it's paired with a camera that anyone in the room can pick up and automatically print the shot, like a photo booth, without the party guests having to fuss with pairing their phone to the printer.

Just bring a Canon Selphy along to the party, and use your phone or GoPro to grab the pics. Bigger prints, smaller camera.

Or if you are really posh, make sure there is a Zebra ZC100 stashed out-of-sight, and give people their pics on plastic "credit cards". Love mine!

As someone who whole hearted jumped to digital 25 years ago after finding traditional film interesting but a little inconvenient.

There are slightly different tool with slightly different (although not completely mutually exclusive) experiences. There is a something much more casual and spontaneous taking a photo and *instantly* giving them a still not developed photo 3 second later for both of you to discover how it came out a minute later.

Again, as a long time digital photographer - I like the control, consistency, repeatability of digital - but sometime it is fun to snap a photo in the moment or hand the camera to someone else instead of spending the whole party/event being the volunteer event photography. In particular, I find handing our Instax camera to the kids to bring to them the un-self-conscious joy of photography and let them except "failure" as a learning experience not to be avoided (although you need to be willing to pay for that a bit with your wallet).

A Selphy is more transportable than portable, and doesn't run off a battery as long as an Instax printer, either way it's nowhere near as immediate as the cameras... I've enjoyed all 3 and I actually own both kinds of printers, but I've never bothered taking the Selphy anywhere.

Got the Instax Wide as raffle reward.. but.. that hardware looks horrible. All the cheapest plastic. Zero ergonomy. Huge body, but strange protruding barely usable viewfinder. 4xAA as power source. And economy of having about 1 photo for $1 is also brutal.. especially with Czech wages being roughly 1/3 to 1/4 of what is normal in US.

I don't understand why people are buying those things. You can buy nice 2nd hand M4/3 camera with kit lens for the same money that this camera cost.

It can only make some sense if those film/paper cartridges are at 1/4 the price.. then maybe for some ocasions and experiments.

I just bought Fuji and was done. Simple.

I"m guilty of contributing to Fujimfilm's profits. I purchased two of their Instax cameras. One for my kid, one for me.

Just get an Instax Wide bluetooth/wireless PRINTER. Then you can take much higher quality shots with your smartphone and print off and get the Instax prints. Job done! Best of both worlds. The Instax or polaroid cameras have always had poor quality lenses and are slow and clunky. That may be the point on here for some.

I’m betting the point of the instant camera is “one (click) and done”. The ability to capture your subject and share the photo instantly instead of fiddling with another contraption.

I have a portable Selphy printer I’m very happy with. I keep eying the instant cameras with different purposes in mind.

Yeah, the cameras are literally more instant and spontaneous... That being said, even the Instax printers are a different story altogether from a dye sub Selphy (I've got both), you need to set up the latter on a table and open it up and let it run etc. You can run an Instax printer right out of your bag or in your hand and it'll spit out a print/film in 10-12s after you've connected to it.

I like my phone & ILCs too much to go with the cameras but I enjoy the printer, tbh the Selphy is more like transportable than portable and the Instax printer is truly portable... If they were to release an Evo Square hybrid I'd consider it tho since they're not much larger than the printer tbh and have some cool features. Fuji is happy to sell any of them since they're still making money on film heh.

I thought maybe the answer was "they're aren't any"... as they all seem a bit of stretch vs. when Polaroid film was at least affordable and not miniscule, and the cameras were not extortionate....

"Polaroid film was at least affordable and not miniscule, and the cameras were not extortionate"

Is that really true? I wasn't buying cameras back then but looking it up the SX-70 in 1972 was $180 ($1300 adjusted for inflation) and a 10-pack was $7 ($50 today) so it was $5 a photo. Checking prices in 1985 and 2005 and instant cameras and film where never that much cheaper when adjusted for inflation.

Could you share what year, camera, and instant film you are thinking of?

Polaroid 1000 type cameras... I have one somewhere... $40 when new, $193 in 2022 money.

"Polaroid 1000 type cameras... I have one somewhere... $40 when new, $193 in 2022 money."

It looks like that model polaroid has a plastic lens with fixed focus and auto-exposure ... pretty much the same as Fuji Instax cameras which range from $70-170 USD.

Looking at sample photos from the Polaroid 1000, the resultant prints aren't any sharper than the Fuji Instax cameras and actually look like the metering is much more inconsistent.

The NONS SL660 and Polaroid I-2 (and Mint instant cameras) are in a different category as they offer features like interchangeable glass lenses, manual or ranged-autofocus, and aperture/shutter control.

That's the camera body... and looking at the price of instant film... while Polaroid (Impossible Project) film is pricier... AFACIT Fuji Instax is equivalent or cheaper that original Polaroid film price in the 1970, 1980, 1990, and 2000's.

Nothing inherently wrong with plastic lenses, some mirrorless lenses use plastic elements to good effect. I wasn't unhappy with the sharpness, seemed competitive. (I'm not certain mine was a 1000, looked like it, but I'd have to find it... and busty buying presents at the moment.)

"Nothing inherently wrong with plastic lenses, some mirrorless lenses use plastic elements to good effect. I wasn't unhappy with the sharpness, seemed competitive. "

As I said, I've looked at the sample images from your old Polaroid 1000 and while acceptable" it isn't superior to the image sharpness of modern instant film cameras. And modern instant film cameras (in the $70-160 USD price range) and are generally actually cheaper than what the $190 inflation adjusted price you paid for your Polaroid 1000.

I've also pointed out that instant film is about the same price per print (or cheaper if you are including Fuji Instax). That kind of undermines your original comment talking about when "film was at least affordable and not miniscule, and the cameras were not extortionate...." as I think people have just become used to the lower operating costs of digital cameras.

I've been somewhat tempted by the Leica Sofort 2 lately. As unreasonable of a purchase it would be, Leica did a good job with its design making it at least a bit more than a rebadged Mini Evo. Though I've seen one comment, on YouTube, claiming that the Sofort 2's lens is actually glass. They never bothered answering my question where in the spec sheet that is though. If true, it would be a standout feature (though arguably not worth the premium).

I've looked at sample images of the Sofort 2 side by side to Fuji Mini Evo, and if the lens is glass... it is doesn't yield any sharpness improvement compared to the plastic lens on the Fuji Mini Evo. The main thing I see is the Sofort 2 renders (not previews) exposure more correctly as well as colors/white balance.

My 9 year old son wanted an Instax Mini because a classmate brought one. I'm still considering it. Not my style but cute and fun and it's neat to see the excitement from the kids.

That's awesome, personally, I'm all for a gateway to photography! I think that's what makes instant cameras still relevant in 2023/24: they're a low barrier entry point for people curious about photography. Speaking for myself, I learned with 35mm and 120 film, making prints in a darkroom, and there was something magical about seeing images develop and the social aspect of image making. Instant cameras capture some of that now that public darkrooms are all but gone.

Thank you Shaminder - yes, I agree. I do have film (both 35 and 120) and it's really fun for me too, but I use labs for my development and scanning.

Both my sons enjoy taking pictures with my phone or the TG-5 that's still around, but there was something really neat about the instant photo.

Exactly my feeling when a few days ago at a touristy site I saw a maybe twelve year old girl proudly taking her Instax Mini 12 for a walk. That view gave me hope.

I got on for my 10 year daughter after she bought a disposable camera during summer camp... and then lost it before finishing the roll. She found the Mini 12 to be a fun casual camera... and our 6 year like to borrow it at family events and it is an interesting to see what things they find interesting to take a photo of. It's interesting also they they take photos of different things than what they do with the cheap digital camera they have to use as well.

Bolt2014's cries have been heard!

https://www.dpreview.com/articles/6313749872/best-cameras-roundup-2023?comment=7855235386

Thanks, but I've got everything I need.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157643484243105/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157643547857663/

It's the future of Fujifilm digital, like the X-Pro? that I'd like to hear about. 😎

Happy Holidays

That was a fun rabbit hole. A very nice collection, some of those cameras brought back memories of cameras my parents had. Thanks for sharing the links.

"Fujifilm, the 800-pound gorilla in the sector, raked in over $890 million in Instax sales revenue worldwide in 2023, accounting for more than half of the company's overall revenue."

Not only that, Fujifilm thinks there’s still room to grow. For 2024 they have a 15% YoY revenue target for Instax. They’ve expanded factory capacity and hired more staff toward this goal. There’s money in them snaps, so long as people still crave a fun way to be social with photography.

I hope they make a newer square hybrid like the current Mini Evo, I'd buy one... Would be my first, I've got two of their printers and have gifted the instant cameras, they're just fun. The printers complement my ILCs pretty nicely tbh.

You know what that means Shaminder - time for a medium-format instant camera.

Ah, but what about the "worst" instant cameras?

There are now a whole bunch of Zero Ink instant print cameras selling for under $50 with three rolls of thermal print paper. The images are B&W with a modest number of gray levels, and it takes just seconds to print one, after which you tear the photo off. I found it also can work with self-stick thermal paper.

My cute little pink one (which was selling new for $15 including a 32GB microSD card!) can shoot at up to 4032x2880 resolution for stills and has a 2.4" screen. The JPEGs and video are a bit oversharpened and the prints are not that pretty, but the prints are comparable to the quality seen in ID badge photos and the JPEGs are actually decent. Yeah, there are some annoyances: these are made for 3-9 year old kids, so step one is turning off the annoying sounds. At least mine is just pink, with no unicorns or such plastered all over it. ;-)

Put bluntly, these Zero Ink cameras are surprisingly fun!

So they only print in B&W, but they still take color pictures? What a disappointment. There would have been a large ISO benefit if they shot monochrome only. ;-)

theBitterFig: Yup; it shoots 12MP color JPEGs. The ISO benefit for monochrome would be roughly 3X. Then again, it's not like this camera has an ISO control, RAW capture, or sufficient print resolution to show any such subtle effects. Still, spitting out 83x48mm prints that cost pennies is pretty cool.

My primary complaint with this is that I haven't yet been able to get it to recognize an image created on another device and placed on the memory card. If I could get that to work, then this becomes a nice little printer for whatever. These prints are far from art quality, but they are nice as visual labels or for hardcopy note-taking.

Why does this remind me of the GameBoy printer option?

@ProfHankD Dude, if you're gonna go pink, go all the way-unicorns aplenty!!

Mr Bolton: I have no problem with pink stuff in general but I prefer that plastic camera parts are black: inobtrusive and inherently light-blocking. The semi-translucent pink of this camera is neither, and it is hard to think of something more obtrusive than adding unicorns... then again, one of my former MS students is a Bronie, and I know for a fact that he'd prefer unicorns all over any camera. ;-)

I was being cheeky :-) of course. I don't have any pink cameras either, but I can think of some comic cons I've been to, where a pink camera would probably be an asset. I'd get a pink X-A7 if I could, although I'd prefer the seafoam green model.

I bow in the general direction of the marketing geniuses who identified and exploited the market for LTP (lousy tiny prints) cameras.

I can picture hundreds of these pictures in trash bags for every dorm room turnover.

The dorm room example is spot on. Two steps to nail these “shots”: 1. Shoot from above 2. Overexposure with flash

There, you have become hipster

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Best instant cameras in 2024

Here are the best instant cameras based on our testing

The best instant cameras are an essential part of any photographer's kitbag, offering something that you just can't get from point-and-shoot, mirrorless or DSLR models.

That's the instant gratification of holding a photo in your hand, of course, which is a surprisingly exciting thing for a generation used to digital images — and for those of us who remember the classic Polaroid days. 

They're always a hit at parties and weddings, and make for a simple but heartfelt gift when placed in a frame and given to friends and family, or just stuck to the refrigerator. 

Unlike a classic Polaroid, these modern instant cameras also have other features, such as the ability to add filters or to connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone so they can double as a photo printer for your smartphone shots.

Most of the best instant cameras cost less than $150, and in many cases they're available for less than $100, making them a relatively guilt-free purchase for a trip or special occasion. We've tested dozens of them in search of our favorites, so read on for our pick of the best instant cameras.

The best instant cameras you can buy today

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

1. Polaroid Go Gen 2

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The Polaroid Go Gen 2 is, as Polaroid claims, the world’s smallest instant camera. Compact and premium-looking, it really is “take anywhere-able” as you can slip it into your pocket and go about your day. With a maximum aperture of f/9, a top shutter speed of 1/300 second and a built-in flash, it delivers superb and detailed retro prints, especially in bright conditions. With the addition of a double exposure mode which was missing from the original Go, you can get really creative with your shots. There’s also a selfie mirror and self-timer, and both are fun to use. User-friendly with only 3 buttons, this little beauty can be used by anyone, even someone who isn’t well-versed with the semantics of photography. The Go Gen 2 also boasts great battery life as a single charge will last you between 15 and 18 shots.

The camera, however, doesn’t perform as well in low-light conditions and might have you considering other options if that’s a dealbreaker. Similarly, there is no dedicated macro mode so shooting a flower, for example, up close takes a bit of trial and error. Film is also relatively expensive — a single print will cost you approximately $1.12.

That being said, the Go Gen 2 is the cutest and most user-friendly camera I’ve shot with. It looks and feels premium, and it’s easy to carry, making it the ideal travel companion.

Read our full Polaroid Go Gen 2 review .

2. Fujifilm Instax mini 99

The Fujifilm Instax mini 99 is the best instant camera for anyone wanting high levels of creativity — that's really what the mini 99 is all about. There are loads of creative filters and modes to help you get unique shots, including: creative color profiles, a double exposure mode and a vignette mode. The camera also features exposure compensation dials allowing you to fine tune the brightness of your shots.

There's not getting around how beautiful the Instax mini 99 looks, either. This camera features Fujifilm's trademark retro aesthetic, employed to perfection. It's also extremely well built, but remains easy to carry.

The Instax mini 99 is easy to use and has really strong battery life, although we wish it could be charged in camera. Instax film packs are also quite pricey, even though we love the look of them,  and we missed the camera having a selfie mirror which plenty of rivals have.

Read our full Fujifilm Instax mini 99 review .

3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 40

One of several Fujifilm Instax Mini models in this list of the best instant cameras, the Mini 40 shares many of its specs with the Instax Mini 9 at number 8 (and the newer Instax 11), but wraps them in a cool retro body. 

It lacks the bells and whistles of some of the other entries here — particularly the two sitting above it — but what it loses in features it makes up for in ease of shooting; this is a really simple instant camera to get the best from.

Not that it's without any features at all: a selfie mode is a nice extra and there's a constantly firing flash that gives it better skills in low-light conditions than you might expect. 

Most importantly, it takes lovely photos, with vibrant color and generally good exposures. Other instant cameras may do more, but the Instax Mini 40 does its thing with a minimum of fuss and a maximum of style — and all for a great price of less than $100. 

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 review

4. Lomo'Instant Square Glass

The Lomo'Instant Square Glass features a 95-mm (45-mm equivalent) glass lens that encourages creativity. Its old-school bellows design will be unfamiliar to most, but it folds flat to about one-third of its operational size, making it more convenient to tote.

A variety of manual controls include the ability to take multiple exposures and a long exposure mode that keeps the shutter open for up to 30 seconds. The camera has a self-timer, as well as a remote control that detaches from the camera (and requires its own battery). 

Also included are four gel filters to give different color casts to your images, cards that show what images will look like at various settings, and clips, stands, glue dots and magnet stickers to display your photos.

Portraits have an evocative quality — clear, with soft flesh tones — while landscapes provided pinpoint detail and pleasing colors, similar those from the Lomo'Instant Automat. Night shots, with and without flash, and augmented with available streetlights, can make a storyteller out of any casual shooter.

The shutter — a square tab on the front — is extremely sensitive, so you have to watch how you hold the camera so as not to fire a shot accidentally. The shots from the glass lens are refreshingly sharp and clear, though focusing through the lens takes some getting used to. The camera has a bit of a parallax effect, so that what you see through the lens is an approximation of what you will actually capture. 

5. Kodak Smile

This simple and inexpensive digital camera has a number of features we really like: A slide-open mechanism protects the lens and keeps the camera from turning on accidentally; buttons on the back make it easy to navigate menus; and you can review photos on the Smile's small LCD display before opting to print them out.

However, the quality of the prints from the Kodak Smile were a step below other Zink cameras, such as the Canon Ivy Cliq+. Whites turned a bit pinkish, and other colors were muted. Also, the digital images stored by the Smile are on the small side. But for $99, the Smile is a good instant camera.

Read our full review of the Kodak Smile camera

6. Kodak Smile Classic

The Kodak Smile Classic's design riffs on the iconic Polaroid instant camera, but in a slightly more compact design. The thing we liked the most about the Smile Classic is its massive prints, which measure 4.25 x 3.5 inches—very satisfying. While the camera prints out every photo you take with it, you can also use it to print photos from your smartphone, and add filters and stickers in the process. Of course, with larger prints comes more expensive paper, but it's a good tradeoff.

The Kodak Smile Classic had gone up in price recently, but a Black Friday camera deal brings it close to its lowest ever price.

Read our full Kodak Smile Classic camera review

7. Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic

With its classic retro style and 60-mm, f/12.7 lens, the Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 Neo Classic is an appealing choice for hobbyists seeking a change of pace. An easy-to-read monochrome LCD readout keeps track of your settings and film counter, while the Mode button lets you cycle through different scenarios (such as sports or landscape).

The Mini 90 has an electronic macro setting for more creative shots, as well as two shutter buttons to make it easier to snap portraits or landscape photos. Unlike with some other instant cams, you can turn the Mini 90's flash on or off.

In Macro mode, the viewfinder automatically adjusts to show a better preview of your shot. The lighten/darken button, which operates like exposure compensation, made it easy to expose two shots on the same sheet of film.

My favorite daytime and macro shots — which were sharp and had deep, vivid colors — were taken in late-afternoon sunlight under bright conditions. Night shots came out well, both indoors and out. The Party mode worked well without the flash, especially when augmented by a fairly strong outside light source; with the flash, subjects were well lit.

8. Fujifilm Instax Mini 12

The Instax Mini 12 is the perfect camera when you want to capture a moment without having to think about how to do it. And coming in five pastel color options, the camera itself adds to the festive mood.

The Instax Mini 12 is an entirely analog experience, with no accompanying smartphone app to make adjustments or send images to another device. The camera furnishes just a single adjustment: turning the lens barrel one click sets it to shoot at a normal distance of 11.8 inches to infinity; turning another click sets it for close-ups in the 11.8- to 19.7-inch range. The latter is handy for sharp, well-proportioned selfies (which you can frame in a tiny mirror next to the lens). Despite the camera's simplicity, Fujifilm provides above-average print documentation with shooting tips and detailed specs.

The flash is always on, which is generally a good thing. It provided well-balanced fill light for outdoor daytime portraits and indoor shots by low light. But the option to turn it off would be nice to soften the look of close-ups like selfies. Framing shots in the tiny optical viewfinder is a tad tricky. You'll see nothing if your eye is placed even a few millimeters off center.

Images show deeply saturated colors and strong contrast. Both provide pleasing definition in some shots but can obscure details, such as print patterns, in others. The 60mm-equivalent focal length is in a good range for solo portraits or tight shots of a few friends — perfect for a quick-sharing social camera. The results are nearly immediate, with photos developing in 90 seconds. At 1.8 x 2.4 inches, the Fujifilm Instax Mini's photos are among the smallest from today's instant cameras: fine for passing around or slipping into a pocket or wallet, but maybe not long-term keepers. At about 75 cents apiece, the photos are affordable, but not the cheapest: Kodak's similarly sized Zink film, for instance, costs about 50 cents per shot.

9. Fujifilm Instax Wide 300

The Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 is a bulky beast. It has a 114-mm, f/14 lens and uses only Instax Wide film for a picture that's ideal for capturing landscapes or groups of people. While the camera has a digital readout, it has fewer controls than the Mini 90.

It includes a snap-on close-up lens which is easy to lose. The camera's auto flash optimizes the lighting according to distance, and you can choose the fill-in flash with a flash-on LCD button. 

The best thing about the Instax Wide 300 is the size of its pictures: They are big. And despite the camera's weight, its handgrip makes it comfortable to hold. Daylight images were bright with accurate color, though the focus was a bit soft. The default focus distance is almost 9 feet. Unlike some Instax cameras, the Wide 300 lets you twist the lens one way to focus from 3 to 9 feet and the other way to capture images from 9 feet and up.

The Wide 300's powerful flash is a real help when shooting photos at night, especially when the subject is close, and a handy tripod socket lets you anchor the camera for a steadier shot. A combination of the infinity setting, the auto flash and a light source produced bright images at night within the shooting range. However, the Wide 300's flash fires automatically in some situations, which can overexpose some photos.

10. Canon Ivy Cliq+2

The Canon Ivy Cliq+2 not only takes photos and prints them on Zink paper, but it can also connect to your smartphone and print photos from your mobile device, too. We liked the Cliq+2's clean, simple design and thin size, which made it pretty easy to fit in a pocket. Surrounding the lens is a circular mirror, for all those selfies you plan to take. 

We liked the quality of the images printed from the Cliq+2's 8MP camera, but didn't like the fact that we couldn't review the photos we took with the camera, nor select those we wanted to print. But, at $129-$149, it's not too pricey, and if you're looking for something less expensive, check out the Canon Ivy Cliq2 ($79) , which has a 5MP sensor.

11. Fujifilm Instax Square SQ6

Fujifilm's Instax Square SQ6 is the company's first fully analog square cam with a 65.75-mm lens. The camera features three focusing ranges: macro (1 to 1.6 feet), auto (1.6 to 6.6 feet) and landscape (6 feet and up).

Auto exposure control calculates the brightness to adjust the shutter speed and flash, but the SQ6 gives you plenty of flexibility, including flash suppression and various shooting modes. Whichever one you pick, the camera will make its own internal adjustments. The package also includes three color filters — orange, purple and green — that can be fitted over the flash to add a color cast to your photo.

The camera also includes a self-timer and a tripod mount. You get some control over your images — including flash and double exposure — but this camera gives you much larger square prints.

With the Automatic setting, the SQ6 captured accurate color and skin tones, though the image was not super sharp. As I got closer to the subject, the skin tones were truer, even with the flash on.

I managed to blow a shot by accidentally hitting the shutter button and ruined another shot when changing double exposure settings. 

12. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

The Instax Mini Evo merges the experience of a dedicated digital camera of the 2000s, the fun of 70s and 80s instamatics, and the design aesthetics of 50s and 60s SLRs. With a fake silvery-metal and leatherette finish, plus chunky dials and buttons, it provides tactile satisfaction and quick access to some key settings. The camera has two shutter buttons: one on top for shooting in landscape orientation and one on the front for portrait alignment. You can make many adjustments on the device, including exposure compensation, white balance presets, print style, and toggling off flash and face detection. All those capabilities cost, though: the camera will set you back over $200.

The diminutive 1.8- x 2.4-inch Instax Mini prints (costing about 75 cents each) generally achieve a good balance in both color saturation and brightness, and the fill-flash lit faces in outdoor shots pretty well. Colors were just a tad muted compared to some Kodak camera images using its Zink printing tech. Unlike all-analog models (such as the instax mini), the Evo captures digital images that you can preview on the generous 3-inch and slightly tweak — orientation, brightness, and color vividness (with a dreamy "natural" option) — before committing to a print. Fujifilm's mobile app doesn't allow much control of settings, but can send smartphone images to the camera's printer. (Going the other way, you can transfer the Evo's digital images to a computer using the camera's microSD card slot.)

A wheel on the top cycles through 10 simulated film styles (a hallmark feature of all Fujifilm digital cameras). But the effects were slight: Canvas, for instance, produced a chalky appearance, Vivid made no discernible difference, and Monochrome looked faded. A ring around the lens cycles through 10 effects, such as fisheye, vignette, and soft focus, all of which work as advertised.

13. Kodak Printomatic

Like Fujifilm's Instax Mini cameras, the Kodak Printomatic Digital is a super-simple model for no-fuss shooting, with a shutter button and nothing else. Also like the mini, the Printomatic comes in a fun array of color options — in this case: yellow, gray, blue, pink, black, and green. But it's far slimmer and compact enough for a back pocket or small purse. The price is also tiny, at about $50.

Kodak's Zinc prints are slightly larger than Fujifilm's instax mini film because they print without borders. And they have very similar image quality, with deep colors and strong contrast –(though they tended to be a tad too dark in our tests). At about 50 cents each, Zink prints are cheaper than instax mini prints, and they feed directly into the printer, without requiring a cartridge. This eliminates bulk if you pack extras and cuts waste considerably. Since there's no app, you can't send photos from a smartphone to the camera's printer, but you can transfer its digital images to a computer using the camera's microSD card slot.

The biggest downside to the Printomatic is the fully automatic flash. It seems to trigger only when the entire scene is dark and can't recognize the need for fill flash when you are shooting a portrait of someone against a bright background, as on a sunny day. This resulted in faces being sometimes obscured in shadow. Fujifilm's decision to have the flash always on for the instax mini, while also not ideal, is still a safer option. In dimmer, more-even daylight, the flash provided good illumination for a selfie, But images shot under incandescent light were rather orangeyand selfies were hard to frame as the Printomatic doesn't have a front mirror for framing shots. Lining up regular shots in the viewfinder is also tricky. It provides an extra-wide view, with faint lines indicating the portion that will actually appear in the photo. 

14. Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro

The Kodak Mini Shot 3 Retro has a big, toy-like appearance that riffs on the nostalgic appeal of instant cameras. However, it has the digital convenience of letting you preview a photo before deciding to print it. That preview is pretty crummy, though, on the grainy, 1.8-inch LCD. And you can't tweak the photo — just select whether or not to print it. The Kodak Photo Print app doesn't provide control of the camera, but it allows you to edit smartphone images and send them to the camera's rather-good printer.

The prints are big and bright, with good color fidelity. They default to 3 x 3 inches — about the size of Polaroid's prints, but with very little border to take up extra space –(just a roughly quarter-inch strip at the bottom where you can write). You can also opt for borderless printing, which extends the print area. And image quality is radically better than Polaroid's low-fi prints. The photos are also quite cheap, at about 30 cents a pop. And Kodak's 4Pass film isn't susceptible to damage from ambient light during the development phase. (But it's power hungry, allowing just 25 prints per charge.) Speaking of light, the camera's flash produces reasonably strong fill-light for outdoor portraits against bright backgrounds.

What to look for when buying an instant camera

Instant cameras are not exactly instant. You have to wait at least 90 seconds for the picture to "fill in" to view the finished result, but we often found it took several minutes for the completed image to fully bake, revealing richer color and sharper focus.

Zink vs. Fujifilm Instax

Some instant cameras use the Fujifilm Instax film cartridges, which come in several sizes and varieties. This is the photo paper that Polaroid cameras have traditionally used: the paper is exposed to light, and the chemicals react to produce an image. 

Other instant cameras use Zink paper, which uses heat to activate colors in the paper. The advantage to Zink is that you don’t have to worry about accidentally exposing the paper to light, as you do with Instax film. However, we’ve found that Zink prints tended to be less vibrant overall.

Does it print everything you shoot?

With traditional instant cameras, every photo you took was printed out. That's still the case for a good number of modern instant cameras, but given the cost of film, that approach can be very pricey — 50 cents and higher per shot, in some cases. However, some instant cameras now let you preview each shot so you can decide if you want to print it out or not. It could save you money in the long run.

Digital storage

While not universal, some of the new instant cameras have a microSD card slot, and save a digital copy of every photo you take. Not only does this make it easier to make a second print, but you can also share that photo on social media a lot more easily.

Smartphone app

Still other instant cameras can connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone app. This opens up a few more features, such as the ability to use the camera to print photos taken with your smartphone, add filters, stickers, and more.

Be sure to check out all of our camera picks:

Best cameras | Best DSLR cameras  |  Best action cameras  |  Best waterproof cameras  |  Best point-and-shoot cameras  |  Best mirrorless cameras  |  Best cheap cameras  |  Best GoPro camera | Best GoPro accessories  |  Best drones  |  Best 360 cameras | Best iPhone lenses | Best iPhone tripods | DSLR vs. mirrorless | Best Nikon accessories | Best Sony a6000 accessories

The best apps and software for editing, managing, and sharing your photos: Best photo organizer apps | Best photo storage sites | Best photo editing software | Best photo editing apps  | Best photo collage apps

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Peter is Reviews Editor at Tom's Guide. As a writer, he covers topics including tech, photography, gaming, hardware, motoring and food & drink. Outside of work, he's an avid photographer, specialising in architectural and portrait photography. When he's not snapping away on his beloved Fujifilm camera, he can usually be found telling everyone about his greyhounds, riding his motorcycle, squeezing as many FPS as possible out of PC games, and perfecting his espresso shots. 

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The best instant cameras in 2024 – retro prints from Instax, Polaroid and more

These are the best instant cameras whether you're looking for a great gift or you want to take the ultimate analog photo!

The Quick List

Best overall, best budget, best pocket-sized, best hybrid, best all-rounder, best for simplicity, best for style, best for big photos, best square images, best zink photos.

• How to choose
• How we test

The Quick List ↩ 1. Best overall – Polaroid Now+ 2. Best budget – Instax Mini 12 3. Best pocket-sized – Polaroid Go 4. Best hybrid – Instax Mini Evo 5. Best all-rounder – Instax Mini 90 6. Best for simplicity – Polaroid Now 7. Best for style – Leica Sofort 2 8. Best for big photos – Instax Wide 300 9. Best square images – Instax Square SQ40 10. Best Zink camera – Kodak Smile Classic How to choose How we test

The best instant cameras do something that no other camera can do: give you an immediate, physical, one-of-a-kind photograph. An actual photograph!  

These photos can be gifted, scrapbooked, slipped into greeting cards, stuck on the fridge, treasured in a wallet… in short, the best instant cameras make meaningful, physical photographs, which are wonderful for wedding receptions and perfect for parties with friends.

While most models are analog, popping out an image as soon as you press the shutter, there are also digital instant cameras that marry the thrill of instant photography with the convenience of modern technology. These hybrids combine a digital camera with a built-in printer, so you can choose which shots to print (and when you print them). Some can even print photos from your phone! 

I'm currently in the process of reviewing the Generation 2 versions of the Polaroid cameras on this list (the Now+, Now and Go). I still happily use the original versions of these three cameras, but I will update this guide if I find the newer models to be superior. 

I took my first Polaroid in 1984, and I've been addicted to instant cameras ever since! I've still got a Polaroid 600 from the Eighties, and I've long been a fan of Instax – I bought the very first Instax camera (the Mini 10 ), which is now 25 years old and still works like a charm. I love the Mini Link portable printers , too, which I often use to create mini photo albums for loved ones.

This is the quickest way to navigate the best instant cameras. Check out my quick thoughts below, and you can jump to my in-depth verdict of each pick along with specs and a link to my full review.

For full-size instant photos with great quality and that elusive 'vintage look', the Now+ is my top choice. It combines the same image quality as the Polaroid Now with some advanced features that make it ideal for simple shooting and special effects alike. Read more below

With new and improved power and lens controls, the latest Mini is easier to use than ever before – simply point and shoot, and the auto exposure mode will do the rest. Affordable, colorful, desirable – this is the camera that I and everybody else wants!   Read more below

Get tiny little pocket-sized prints on the go! I think the Polaroid Go is the cutest camera ever made, and it will make you very popular at parties when you start passing it around. It's also the ideal size for kids' hands, if they catch the photo bug. Read more below

Love instant photography, but want to "print" images from your phone as well? The Mini Evo takes amazing analog photos with the option to add creative effects in-camera, and I love how it also turns my phone images into real Instax photographs.  Read more below

The only analog Instax with a rechargeable battery, which is claimed to last as long as ten film packs (which I've found about right in real-world use). This retro-style camera saves on waste, making it more eco-friendly than battery-based models. Read more below

If I don't plan on using the advanced phone-based features or tripod mount of the Now+, this is the Polaroid camera I grab for point-and-shoot simplicity. The closest thing you'll find to the  classic Polaroids of your (or your parents') childhood! Read more below

Load the next products ↴

I can't deny that this is the most beautiful-looking instant camera around, but I also can't deny that it is quite literally an Instax Mini Evo with a luscious Leica body. Still, if you want to be inspired every time you pick it up, the Sofort can't be beaten! 

Read more below

Want to go large? The Instax Wide 300 produces the biggest and widest prints possible – I call it the "medium format of instant cameras"! It uses Instax Wide film that's perfect for group shots, landscapes, and photos for the front of the fridge! Read more below

Instax cameras deliver the best conventional image quality, but their designs are usually bright, bubbly and candy-colored. I love the SQ40 because it looks a bit more grown-up, making it a better fit for those times when you're shooting more seriously. Read more below

Instant film is expensive, and film packs are bulky. Want more affordable and more compact print refills? Go for a Zink camera – and I think the Kodak Smile Classic is the best of the bunch, and also doubles as a printer for your phone photos. Read more below

The best instant cameras I recommend in 2024

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

Here are my thoughts on each of the best instant cameras that have made the cut for this guide. After testing them all, I now personally own quite a few of these – I put my money where my mouth is, so you can trust my recommendations!

1. Polaroid Now+

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

✅ You want truly vintage-looking photos:  Instax prints are cleaner and crisper, but Polaroid photos have that dreamy retro quality that's straight out of an old family photo album. This is the real "vintage look"!

✅ You love extra features:  Want to do more than just point and snap? Pair this with your phone to unlock extra shooting modes, use the lens filters for cool in-camera effects, and there's even a mount for tripod use. 

❌ You want modern image quality:  If unpredictable colors, sharpness and haze aren't your jam, I recommend going for an Instax camera – which produces superior sharpness, contrast and general consistency.

❌ You just want to shoot, not mess with settings:  All the extra features are cool, but only if you use them! If you've no interest in things like double exposures or light trails, then go for the regular Polaroid Now (elsewhere on this guide).

If you're after full-size instant photos that possess quality and that elusive "vintage look", the Polaroid Now+ is the obvious choice. 

My personal favorite instant camera, it combines the same image quality and shooting experience of the base Polaroid Now with the modern-day features of the now-discontinued OneStep+, giving you the best of both worlds. 

It has several creative modes such as light painting, aperture priority, double exposure, portrait mode and many more, which are all available through the phone app (which pairs via Bluetooth). 

There are also several physical lens filters that create natty in-camera effects, which isn't something that any other instant camera is currently bundled with (the red vignette filter is the pick of the bunch, in my opinion). 

It even has a tripod mount, which again isn't present on many other instant cameras, so you can proper selfies and group shots using the self-timer, and really take advantage of the long exposure modes on offer.

Between its physical and phone-based extras, this is the most feature-rich instant camera on the market – which makes it the most fun to get creative with.

Read my full Polaroid Now+ review for more details

• Back to the top ⤴

2. Instax Mini 12

✅ You want great photos and great value:  All Instax cameras boast (broadly) the same image quality, but the smaller size of Mini prints makes them the most affordable. 

✅ You love color choices:  Instax Minis come in five bright colors, so they're brilliant for expressing yourself – and perfect for gifting, if you know someone's favorite color! 

❌ You already own a Mini 11:  Not a huge amount has been changed since last year's model, so it's not worth the upgrade if you've already got an 11. 

❌ You want a serious-looking camera: The candy colors and cutesy design aren't for everyone. For something a bit more grown-up, look to the Mini 40 or 90.

The Instax Mini is the most popular instant camera on the market – and the latest model is the Mini 12, with its irresistably cute soap-bubble redesign and new pastel colors. 

Those cosmetic changes really form the main differences from its predecessor, as technologically it only offers a few minor improvements on the Instax Mini 11 . 

These take the form of a more sophisticated lens deployment and retraction mechanism, along with a degree of parallax correction to make it easier to accurately frame your shots. It's a shame that the flash still can't be disabled, though. 

The Mini 12 is definitely the one you should go for but, since the older version is only going to go down in price, I think the 11 is still worth considering. Check out our Instax Mini 12 vs 11 comparison to see if a few pennies saved is worth missing out on the new features. 

Read our full Instax Mini 12 review for more details

3. Polaroid Go

✅ You want a truly pocketable camera:  Most cameras, even the Instax Mini, play fast and loose with "fits in your pocket". But the Polaroid Go truly is pocket-sized! 

✅ You love the size more than the quality:  Instax Mini prints have better conventional image quality, but they're not as small as the delightfully diddy Polaroid Go photos.

❌ "Image quality" is top priority:  I love the dreamy feel of Polaroids, but it's not everyone's cup of tea – and the uber-hipster Polaroid look is even more prevalent here. 

❌ Price per print is important: Polaroid film is inherently pricier than Instax, and that's the case with the Go. Your pennies go further with packs of Instax Mini film. 

I fell in love with this palm-sized camera faster than it took a photo to develop – and so does everyone I show it to! It's the world's smallest analog instant camera, and it produces fittingly tiny instant photos, too. 

That's really the main calling card, here. The Polaroid Go is like a tiny burger slider, disappearing into your palm and making you feel like a giant using a miniature camera. 

For this reason it's also perfectly proportioned for little hands, making it an ideal camera for kids to shoot with. 

That said, of course, there's the price of the film to consider, as Instax Mini film works out cheaper than Polaroid Go film. But then you'll also need to replace AA batteries on a Mini, whereas the Go just is rechargeable via USB. 

Despite being so tiny, the Go boasts double exposures – which you won't get on Instax unless you opt for pricier options like the Instax Mini 90 (below). That said, the Minis produce better conventional image quality.

A fun and funky little camera, the Polaroid Go will be the star of your next party. I absolutely love mine – I bring it for the fun factor, accompanied by a Now+ or a Square SQ40 for "keeper" images.

Read my full Polaroid Go review for more details

4. Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

✅ You don't want to print every photo:  Pure-analog instant cameras expose a photo every time you press the shutter. But here you can decide which ones to print! 

✅ You want to print photos from your phone:  Any phone photo can become an Instax photo. Great for sharing pics with friends or making sure everyone gets a physical photo!

❌ You just want to shoot:  Since this is a hybrid digital instant camera, there are lots of menus and extra buttons that get in the way of simply taking a photograph. 

❌ You want to store a lot of photos on it: The camera has internal storage for 45 photos, but you'll need to buy a microSD card to expand the memory beyond that.

This was a massive sales success for Instax, and it's my favorite hybrid digital instant camera right now (which used to be the Instax Mini LiPlay , though I still prefer the LiPlay's aesthetics). 

The Evo is like an Instax Mini that enables you to edit your photos before you print them – and you can also beam images from your phone (including ones you've taken on a "proper camera") and turn them into physical photos. 

Not only can you make tweaks and edits before printing, you can also choose from a selection of digital filters – marrying the fun of analog photography with effects familiar to the Instagram generation.

On top of that, the Mini Evo boasts a beautiful vintage design. My favorite part of the camera is the physical lever on the back; designed to mimic the film advance lever on old film cameras, here you use it to print photos when you're ready (and the image on the rear LCD even slowly "ejects" from the screen as it emerges from the side of the camera).

The ability to pair it with your phone for use as an instant printer seals the deal for me. If you love sharing photos with friends, here you can give them the one you've just taken or transform a phone snap into a sweet Instax print.  

Read our full Instax Mini Evo review for more details

5. Instax Mini 90

✅ You hate replacing batteries:  This is the only analog Instax camera that comes with a rechargeable battery – so no more waste or scrambling around when you run dry!

✅ You want helpful shooting modes:  With its optional advanced features, you can go fully automatic or choose a mode for extra creativity or a particular shooting scenario.

❌ You're on a budget:  This is the priciest Instax analog option – both the Mini 12 and the Mini 40 are much more affordable cameras. 

❌ You don't need all the extras: If you just want to take snaps, and aren't interested in things like double exposures, a lot of the extra features here will be overkill.

With its classic silver styling finished in black, brown or red leatherette, I think the Mini 90 Neo Classic is the best-looking Instax Mini camera.  

It is also the only analog Instax with a rechargeable battery, which the company claims will last up to 100 shots – which feels about right, in my personal use. So if you're concerned about waste, this is a big plus.

The retro styling is a throwback to SLR cameras, and fittingly the Mini 90 offers some manual control over exposure – and even the option to disable the built-in flash if you feel pictures are too bright. 

Bulb and double exposure modes offer creativity options for the curious (although the results were a bit hit-and-miss), and there are shooting modes for things like parties (giving better exposure to whatever's in the background) and landscapes (for faraway scenes). 

An advantage over cheaper instant cameras is an LCD display strip at the back, revealing your chosen settings. The viewfinder is small but adequate for its purpose, and there's even a tripod thread for proper selfies! 

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Mini 90 review for more details

6. Polaroid Now

✅ You just wanna shoot!:  No overly clever modes, no confusing dials or buttons – just point, press the button and a photo pops out! 

✅ You want real, full-size, square Polaroids :  People say "Polaroids" as a catch-all term for "instant photos". But real Polaroids are 4.233 x 3.483 inches – while Instax Square photos are 2.83 x 3.39 inches.

❌ You want best bang for buck:  The Polaroid Now is cheaper than Instax Square cameras, but film packs are smaller and cost more per exposure. 

❌ You want something compact: The Polaroid Now is a bulky camera. While the Instax Squares are large, but at least slim, the Now is a chunky box – so you'll need a big bag to throw it in! 

Want to shoot classic, full-size square prints but don't need all the bells and whistles of the Now+? Then this is the one I recommend you go for. 

The base Polaroid Now is a much more straightforward shooter – no apps, no lens filters, no superfluous buttons or dials and no messing around: just point, press, and out pops an iconic Polaroid.

Given the mirrors inside Polaroid cameras, they are much bulkier than their Instax counterparts – so you won't be able to carry this around in a handbag (I caved in and bought the specially designed bag from Polaroid, as it's too chunky for my messenger bags). 

However, while the Instax Square cameras may be slimmer, to me there's nothing like the tactility of holding a big, boxy Polaroid when you're shooting old-school instant film. 

Again, Polaroids produce a much more "dreamy" and authentically vintage photo (rather than the crisp, contrasty Instax shots). If you want images with the same look as the ones your parents and grandparents took, the Now is sure to Wow.

Read my full Polaroid Now review for more details

7. Leica Sofort 2

✅ You want an instant camera for the red carpet:  While Instax and Polaroid cameras have their own style, the Sofort 2 is the only truly luxury-looking instant camera. 

✅ You want instant photos and phone prints:  A hybrid camera, this can pop out a photo as soon as you press the shutter and it can print out shots taken on your phone! 

❌ You don't have money to burn:  There's no way around it: this is the Instax Mini Evo in a shinier, sexier body. You're paying a lot more for the exact same camera. 

❌ You plan to shoot a lot of digital: The sensor resolution is designed with Instax Mini prints in mind, so don't go expecting super high-res imagery. 

Yes, Leica makes an instant camera! However, while it is a very good instant camera, I have to be absolutely straight with you: aside from the cool design and Leica Big Red Dot™, this camera is otherwise identical to the Instax Mini Evo (it even uses Instax Mini film). 

So if you only care about the actual performance, the Evo the one to go for – but if you feel that having a snazzier body and a Leica logo is just as important, the Sofort 2 is for you. I really do think this is the best-looking instant camera to date! 

Leica is renowned for its fantastic and premium style, and the Sofort 2 has it in buckets, with a small and compact shape ready to slip into a pocket, and smooth gloss finishes to the front and the back of the camera that look very chic.

Unfortunately, like other hybrid cameras, when it comes to digital image quality, it's not great with only a 4.9MP sensor. Although you can argue that, for snapping and printing Instax Mini images, the resolution is perfect. 

Still, like other hybrids, the fun factor here is the main selling point; this is something to be passed around at parties for taking (and making prints of) on-the-spot memories. And for that, the Leica Sofort 2 is a class act.

Read our full Leica Sofort 2 review

8. Instax Wide 300

✅ You want the biggest prints possible:  Instax Wide film produces the largest images of any instant camera system. Perfect for those "prestige pics" you want as big as possible. 

✅ You shoot landscapes or group shots:  To capture the majesty of a mountain, or to fit the entire wedding party into the frame, Instax Wide is twice the size of Instax Mini film.

❌ You want to shoot selfies:  There's no self-timer mode, and the closest focusing distance (0.4m) is longer than is comfortable for most arms.  

❌ You want something small: The Instax Wide 300 is a tank of a camera! Big and bulky, it's about the size of a medium format camera – you'll definitely need a big bag! 

The Wide 300 is the daddy of the Instax family. It's powered by four AA batteries rather than the usual two, making this chunky camera not far off the size of a medium format system. 

That said, replaceable AAs will make the camera last longer than one with an integrated battery that stops holding its charge after a few years. And it's able to deliver much larger prints using the Instax Wide film packs, making it much better for group shots and landscapes. 

It's not a camera to take selfies with, though, between its bulky design, the lack of mirror, and a close focus distance that's a bit too long for most arms. And while it has a tripod mount, bizarrely there's no self-timer function (nor any other creative modes). So it's great for group photos, but only if there's someone behind the camera. 

I still love it, though. It's got the most powerful flash on this list (thanks to all those batteries) and it produces the largest photos with great image quality. So if you want sheer scale with no frills, this is your best bet. If I don't have to pack light, this is the instant camera I bring with me.

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 review for more details

9. Instax Square SQ40

✅ You want the best quality square shots:  Instax image quality is fantastic, with superb sharpness, crisp contrast and consistent colors. 

✅ You need straightforward shooting:  Some Instax cameras get carried away with modes, menus, features and buttons. This is as simple as it gets: just aim and click! 

❌ You want easy-to-find batteries:  While AA batteries are easy to find in any corner store, the SQ40 takes CR2s – which can be tricky to find, especially on vacation.

❌ You want advanced features: If you want to get creative with things like double exposures and bulb modes, look to the Polaroid Now+ or the (smaller) Instax Mini 90.

Where Polaroids have that "dreamy" vintage look that's not to everyone's taste, Instaxes have a much more "modern" kind of image quality. So if you're looking for square instant photos that have punchy contrast and crisp sharpness, the SQ40 is the way to go. 

It steps away from the cute, brightly-colored design of the older Instax Square SQ1 and adds a sleeker and more sophisticated camera to the Square lineup. (Check out our Instax SQ1 vs SQ40 comparison for more info.)

As you'd expect, it takes pristine photographs whether you're indoors or outdoors – though I'm sad that it lacks many of the features from the discontinued Instax Square SQ6 (such as a self-timer, tripod mount, and double exposures). 

So the Polaroid Now+ trumps it if you want advanced and creative tools, but the Instax takes it for conventional image quality. 

My main gripe is that it requires tricky-to-find CR2 batteries – which, wastefulness aside, and can be a pain if you don't already have some spares when the camera runs dry! 

Read our full Fujifilm Instax Square SQ40 review for more details

10. Kodak Smile

✅ You love scrapbooking and sharing:  Zink (zero-ink) prints are durable, and also double as stickers if you peel off the back, so they're great for crafters and kids.

✅ You want to shoot affordably:  Instant film is expensive for both Instax and Polaroid, but sheets of Zink paper are a whole lot cheaper. 

❌ You shoot a lot:  The rechargeable battery is only rated for 35 shots – so if you're machine-gunning photos, you'll need to plug it in pretty quickly.

❌ You want the best image quality: Zink prints don't boast the best fidelity, being more like the results you'd get from a color photocopier than a film camera.

Both Instax and Polaroid film are expensive, but there is an alternative: Zink, ("zero-ink"). Rather than exposing a sheet of film, this uses thermal paper which is much cheaper, and also produces smudge-proof, water-resistant prints. 

They literally are prints, though, as this is effectively a camera with a Zink printer inside – so the quality is more like a color printout or photocopy. The backs can be peeled off, though, turning them into stickers – perfect for scrapbooking.

If you're happy not shooting on film, though, I think the Kodak Smile Classic is the best Zink instant camera on the market thanks to its large sensor that captures enough detail for 3.5 x 4.25-inch pictures (unlike the typical 2 x 3-inch of most Zink printers). 

I love the design, which is inspired by classic Polaroid cameras, and although it prints every photo you take, you can also insert a microSD card to shoot digitally. There's also a companion app that enables you to add augmented reality (AR) features!

Between the lower cost, the more durable prints and the fun AR features, this makes a really good option for kids as well as adults. 

Read our full Kodak Smile Instant Print review for more details

How to choose the best instant camera

How easy is an instant camera to use.

In short, very. You don't need to worry about complicated autofocus modes, setting the right white balance, or balancing the exposure triangle – simply load your film (this can be a little fiddly first time, but should soon become a cinch) and press the shutter button. Cameras don't get much simpler than this! Some instant cameras do offer more advanced creative features, but you don't have to use them – and most instant cameras are intentionally basic to be in-keeping with the retro, no-nonsense instant camera ethos.

What's the print quality like?

Polaroid and Instax film each have very different characteristics, due to their respective and unique photochemical exposure processes. Varyingly you can expect subdued or saturated colors, crushed contrast, blown out highlights, ethereal exposures… all 'features' that would kill the success of a DSLR or mirrorless camera! The results, however, are utterly unique, producing a look that even  Lightroom presets  and Instagram filters can't replicate. They're ideal image traits if you want a vintage, retro, lo-fi aesthetic. 

Do instant cameras have any extra features?

In days past, a traditional Polaroid instant camera might have a flash, but that was about it. Nowadays you can pick up a modern instant camera with multiple photo modes, plus Bluetooth connectivity to pair with a smartphone app. This can open up extra creative control, as well as enabling you to use your phone as a remote shutter release. LCD info screens and built-in rechargeable batteries can also be found in today's instant cameras. Finally, don't rule out hybrid instant cameras – these are essentially digital cameras, but with a tiny in-built printer to turn your digital snaps into analog prints right at the point of capture.

How much will each print cost me?

If there is a downside to instant cameras, it's that each and every shot you take is going to cost you money (remember the days of traditional film photography?). Naturally, the cost of film varies considerably between cameras and depending where you buy it, but as a very rough guide, expect to pay in the region of $0.75-$1.00 per print of Fujifilm Instax film, and between $1 and $2 per print for Polaroid I-Type or Go film.

What is the best printable camera for kids?

The Polaroid Go is the best printable camera for kids, in my opinion, thanks to its simplicity and teeny tiny form factor that's the perfect size for little hands. That said, another option is the new Instax Pal – an even tinier camera which is very much designed for youngsters, though this is not a printable camera (and must be paired with something like the Instax Mini Link 2 to print pictures). Do also check out our separate guide to the best cameras for kids

Is the Instax Mini 11 or 12 better?

This question is relevant for every generation of Instax Mini, which has a pretty regular update cycle. In truth, there's no appreciable difference in image quality among any of the Instax Minis released in the last few years; the lenses and flash units stay virtually identical (as, obviously, does the instant film). 

The main differences come in the aesthetics / ergonomics, as well as the additional features on newer models. In this sense, the Instax Mini 12 is better because it possesses parallax correction – making it easier to compose images in close-up mode. But otherwise the Mini 11 produces photographs that are every bit as good. 

How we test instant cameras

We don't test instant cameras using the same scientific lab tests we do on the latest mirrorless cameras and lenses – but our evaluation is no less exhaustive! When I get an instant camera, I take it to an actual shooting environment and run a few packs of film through it (since it's possible to get a bad batch of film), seeing how it performs in a variety of lighting and environmental conditions. This is especially important with cameras that use a photochemical exposure process, since results can vary greatly even in only subtly different situations. 

I also take any "clever" features into consideration, especially as this relates to ease of use. After all, instant cameras are supposed to take pictures instantly with minimal fuss! Battery life is a key point as well, given that there's a physical mechanism and usually a flash being fired. Image quality is quite subjective –  photochemical prints inherently possess a different set of characteristics, though Zink images can be more fairly evaluated in terms of print quality – but ultimately I won't recommend a camera that takes a bad photo!

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The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera Magazine ,  PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine ,  N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine ,  Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show . He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.

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How to Create a Photo Essay in 9 Steps (with Examples)

Photo Editing & Creativity , Tutorials

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What is a photo essay?

• Photo essays vs photo stories
• How photo essays help you
• 9 Steps to create photo essays

How to share your photo essays

Read Time: 11 minutes

Gather up a handful of images that seem to go together, and voila! It’s a photo essay, right? Well… no. Though, this is a common misconception.

In reality, a photo essay is much more thoughtful and structured than that. When you take the time to craft one, you’re using skills from all facets of our craft – from composition to curation.

In this guide, you’ll learn what makes a photo essay an amazing project that stretches your skills. You’ll also learn exactly how to make one step by step.

• Photo essay vs photo story

A photo essay is a collection of images based around a theme, a topic, a creative approach, or an exploration of an idea. Photo essays balance visual variety with a cohesive style and concept.

What’s the difference between a photo essay and a photo story?

The terms photo essay and photo story are often used interchangeably. Even the dictionary definition of “photo essay” includes using images to convey either a theme or a story.

But in my experience, a photo essay and a photo story are two different things. As you delve into the field of visual storytelling, distinguishing between the two helps you to take a purposeful approach to what you’re making .

The differences ultimately lie in the distinctions between theme, topic and story.

Themes are big-picture concepts. Example: Wildness

Topics are more specific than themes, but still overarching. Example : Wild bears of Yellowstone National Park

Stories are specific instances or experiences that happen within, or provide an example for, a topic or theme. Example: A certain wild bear became habituated to tourists and was relocated to maintain its wildness

Unlike a theme or topic, a story has particular elements that make it a story. They include leading characters, a setting, a narrative arc, conflict, and (usually) resolution.

With that in mind, we can distingush between a photo essay and a photo story.

Themes and Topics vs Stories

A photo essay revolves around a topic, theme, idea, or concept. It visually explores a big-picture something .

This allows a good deal of artistic leeway where a photographer can express their vision, philosophies, opinions, or artistic expression as they create their images.

A photo story  is a portfolio of images that illustrate – you guessed it – a story.

Because of this, there are distinct types of images that a photo story uses that add to the understanding, insight, clarity and meaning to the story for viewers. While they can certainly be artistically crafted and visually stunning, photo stories document something happening, and rely on visual variety for capturing the full experience.

A photo essay doesn’t need to have the same level of structured variety that a photo story requires. It can have images that overlap or are similar, as they each explore various aspects of a theme.

Photo essays can be about any topic. If you live in a city, consider using your nature photography to make an essay about the wildlife that lives in your neighborhood . 

The role of text with photos

A photo story typically runs alongside text that narrates the story. We’re a visual species, and the images help us feel like we are there, experiencing what’s happening. So, the images add significant power to the text, but they’re often a partner to it.

This isn’t always the case, of course. Sometimes photo stories don’t need or use text. It’s like reading a graphic novel that doesn’t use text. Moving through the different images that build on each other ultimately unveils the narrative.

Photo essays don’t need to rely on text to illuminate the images’ theme or topic. The photographer may use captions (or even a text essay), or they may let the images speak for themselves.

Definitions are helpful guidelines (not strict rules)

Some people categorize photo essays as either narrative or thematic. That’s essentially just calling photo stories “narrative photo essays” and photo essays “thematic photo essays.”

But, a story is a defined thing, and any writer/editor will tell you themes and topics are not the same as stories. And we use the word “story” in our daily lives as it’s defined. So, it makes far more sense to name the difference between a photo essay and a photo story, and bask in the same clarity writers enjoy .

Photo stories illustrate a particular experience, event, narrative, something that happened or is happening.

Photo essays explore an idea, concept, topic, theme, creative approach, big-picture something .

Both photo essays and photo stories are immensely powerful visual tools. And yes, the differences between them can certainly be blurred, as is always the case with art.

Simply use this distinction as a general guideline, providing extra clarity around what you’re making and why you’re making it.

To dig into specific types of images used to create powerful photo stories, check out this training: 6 Must-Have Shots for a Photo Story. 

Meanwhile, let’s dig deeper into photo essays.

Capturing amazing wildlife photos requires not only passion and skill but also the right equipment.

This guide breaks down the best options so you can find the perfect camera for your specific needs , whether you're a beginner or pro.

Photo essays are a chance to try new styles or techniques that stretch your skills and creativity. This image was part of an essay exploring simplicity and shape, and helped me learn new skills in black and white post-processing.

How photo essays improve your photography

Creating photo essays is an amazing antidote if you’ve ever felt a lack of direction or purpose in your photography. Photo essays help build your photographic skills in at least 3 important ways.

1. You become more strategic in creating a body of work

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of photographing whatever pops up in front of you. And when you do, you end up with a collection of stand-alone shots.

These singles may work fine as a print, a quick Instagram post, or an addition to your gallery of shots on your website. But amassing a bunch of one-off shots limits your opportunities as a photographer for everything from exhibits to getting your work published.

Building photo essays pushes you to think strategically about what you photograph, why, and how. You’re working toward a particular deliverable – a cohesive visual essay – with the images you create.

This elevates your skills in crafting your photo essay, and in how you curate the rest of your work, from galleries on your website to selecting images to sell as prints .

2. You become more purposeful in your composition skills

Composition is so much more than just following the rule of thirds, golden spirals, or thinking about the angle of light in a shot.

Composition is also about thinking ahead in what you’re trying to accomplish with a photograph – from what you’re saying through it to its emotional impact on a viewer – and where it fits within a larger body of work.

Photo essays push you to think critically about each shot – from coming up with fresh compositions for familiar subjects, to devising surprising compositions to fit within a collection, to creating compositions that expand on what’s already in a photo essay.

You’re pushed beyond creating a single pleasing frame, which leads you to shoot more thoughtfully and proactively than ever.

(Here’s a podcast episode on switching from reactive shooting to proactive shooting .)

3. You develop strong editing and curation skills

Selecting which images stay, and which get left behind is one of the hardest jobs on a photographer’s to-do list. Mostly, it’s because of emotional attachment.

You might think it’s an amazing shot because you know the effort that went into capturing it. Or perhaps when you look at it, you get a twinge of the joy or exhilaration you felt the moment you captured it. There’s also the second-guessing that goes into which of two similar images is the best – which will people like more? So you’re tempted to just show both.

Ultimately, great photographers appear all the more skilled because they only show their best work. That in and of itself is a skill they’ve developed through years of ruthlessly editing their own work.

Because the most powerful photo essays only show a handful of extraordinary images, you’re bound to develop the very same critical skill (and look all the more talented because of it).

Photo essays are also a great stepping stone to creating photo stories. If you’re interested in moving beyond stand-alone shots and building stories, shooting photo essays will get your creative brain limbered up and ready for the adventure of photo stories.

A photo essay exploring the natural history of a favorite species is an exciting opportunity for an in-depth study. For me, that was a photo essay on emotive images of the American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) as it hunts in streams. 

9 Simple steps to create your photo essays

1. clarify your theme.

Choose a theme, topic, or concept you want to explore. Spend some time getting crystal clear on what you want to focus on. It helps to write out a few sentences, or even a few paragraphs noting:

• What you want the essay to be about
• What kinds of images you want to create as part of it
• How you’ll photograph the images
• The style, techniques, or gear you might use to create your images
• What “success” looks like when you’re done with your photo essay

You don’t have to stick to what you write down, of course. It can change during the image creation process. But fleshing your idea out on paper goes a long way in clarifying your photo essay theme and how you’ll go about creating it.

2. Create your images

Grab your camera and head outside!

As you’re photographing your essay, allow yourself some freedom to experiment. Try unusual compositions or techniques that are new to you.

Stretch your style a little, or “try on” the style of other photographers you admire who have photographed similar subjects.

Photo essays are wonderful opportunities to push yourself outside of your comfort zone and grow as a photographer .

Remember that a photo essay is a visually cohesive collection of images that make sense together. So, while you might stretch yourself into new terrain as you shoot, try to keep that approach, style, or strategy consistent.

Don’t be afraid to create lots of images. It’s great to have lots to choose from in the editing process, which comes up next.

3. Pull together your wide edit

Once you’ve created your images, pull together all the images that might make the cut. This could be as many as 40-60 images. Include anything you want to consider for the final essay in the wide edit.

From here, start weeding out images that:

• are weaker in composition or subject matter
• stand out like a sore thumb from the rest of the collection
• Are similar to other stronger images in the collection

It’s helpful to review the images at thumbnail size. You make more instinctive decisions and can more easily see the body of work as a whole. If an image is strong even at thumbnail size to stand out from similar frames while also partnering well with other images in the collection, that’s a good sign it’s strong enough for the essay.

4. Post-process your images for a cohesive look

Now it’s time to post-process the images. Use whatever editing software you’re comfortable with to polish your images.

Again, a photo essay has a cohesive visual look. If you use presets, filters, or other tools, use them across all the images.

5. Finalize your selection

It’s time to make the tough decisions. Select only the strongest for your photo essay from your group of images.

Each image should be strong enough to stand on its own and make sense as part of the whole group.

Many photo essays range from 8-12 images. But of course, it varies based on the essay. The number of images you have in your final photo essay is up to you.

Remember, less is more. A photo essay is most powerful when each image deserves to be included.

6. Put your images in a purposeful order

Create a visual flow with your images. Decide which image is first, and build from there. Use compositions, colors, and subject matter to decide which image goes next, then next, then next in the order.

Think of it like music: notes are arranged in a way that builds energy, or slows it down, surprise listeners with a new refrain, or drop into a familiar chorus. How the notes are ordered creates emotional arcs for listeners.

How you order your images is similar.

Think of the experience a viewer will have as they look at one image, then the next, and the next. Order your images so they create the experience you want your audience to have.

7. Get feedback

The best photographers make space for feedback, even when it’s tough to hear. Your work benefits from not just hearing feedback, but listening to it and applying what you learn from it.

Show your photo essay to people who have different sensibilities or tastes. Friends, family members, fellow photographers – anyone you trust to give you honest feedback.

Watch their reactions and hear what they say about what they’re seeing. Use their feedback to guide you in the next step.

8. Refine, revise, and finalize

Let your photo essay marinate for a little while. Take a day or two away from it. Then use your freshened eyes and the feedback you received from the previous step to refine your essay.

Swap out any selects you might want to change and reorder the images if needed.

9. Add captions

Even if you don’t plan on displaying captions with your images, captioning your images is a great practice to get into. It gives context, story, and important information to each image. And, more than likely, you will want to use these captions at some point when you share your photo essay, which we dive into later in this article.

Add captions to the image files using Lightroom, Bridge, or other software programs.

Create a document, such as a Google or Word doc, with captions for each image.

In your captions, share a bit about the story behind the image, or the creation process. Add whatever makes sense to share that provides a greater understanding of the image and its purpose.

Photo essays allow you to explore deliberate style choices, such as a focus on shapes, patterns, textures, and lines. Since each photo is part of a larger essay, it encourages you to be bold with choices you might not otherwise make. 

5 Examples of amazing nature photo essays

1. “how the water shapes us” from the nature conservancy.

This gorgeous essay, crafted with the work of multiple photographers, explores the people and places within the Mississippi River basin. Through the images, we gain a sense of how the water influences life from the headwater all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Notice how each photographer is tasked with the same theme, yet approaches it with their own distinct style and vision. It is a wonderful example of the sheer level of visual variety you can have while maintaining a consistent style or theme.

View it here

2. “A Cyclist on the English Landscape” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This photo essay is a series of self-portraits by travel photographer Roff Smith while “stuck” at home during the pandemic. As he peddled the roads making portraits, the project evolved into a “celebration of traveling at home”. It’s a great example of how visually consistent you can be inside a theme while making each image completely unique.

3. “Vermont, Dressed In Snow” from New York Times’ The World Through A Lens series

This essay by aerial photographer Caleb Kenna uses a very common photo essay theme: snow. Because all images are aerial photographs, there’s a consistency to them. Yet, the compositions are utterly unique from one another. It’s a great example of keeping viewers surprised as they move from one image to the next while still maintaining a clear focus on the theme.

4. “Starling-Studded Skies” from bioGraphic Magazine

This beautiful essay is by Kathryn Cooper, a physicist trained in bioinformatics, and a talented photographer. She used a 19th century photographic technique, chronophotography, to create images that give us a look at the art and science of starling murmurations. She states: “I’m interested in the transient moments when chaos briefly changes to order, and thousands of individual bodies appear to move as one.” This essay is a great example of deep exploration of a concept using a specific photographic technique.

View it here   (Note: must be viewed on desktop)

5. “These Scrappy Photos Capture the Action-Packed World Beneath a Bird Feeder” from Audubon Magazine

This photo essay from conservation photographer Carla Rhodes explores the wildlife that takes advantage of the bounty of food waiting under bird feeders . Using remote camera photography , Rhodes gives viewers a unique ground-level perspective and captures moments that make us feel like we’re in conversation with friends in the Hundred Acre Woods. This essay is a great example of how perspective, personality, and chance can all come into play as you explore both an idea and a technique.

25 Ideas for creative photo essays you can make

The possibilities for photo essays are truly endless – from the concepts you explore to the techniques you use and styles you apply.

Choose an idea, hone your unique perspective on it, then start applying the 9 simple steps from above. 

• The life of a plant or animal (your favorite species, a species living in your yard, etc)
• The many shapes of a single species (a tree species, a bird species, etc)
• How a place changes over time
• The various moods of a place
• A conservation issue you care about
• Math in nature
• Urban nature
• Seasonal changes
• Your yard as a space for nature
• Shifting climate and its impacts
• Human impacts on environments
• Elements: Water, wind, fire, earth
• Day in the life (of a person, a place, a stream, a tree…)
• Outdoor recreation (birding, kayaking, hiking, naturalist journaling…)
• Wildlife rehabilitation
• Lunar cycles
• Sunlight and shadows
• Your local watershed
• Coexistence

As you zero in on a photo essay theme, consider two things: what most excites you about an idea, and what about it pushes you out of your comfort zone. The heady mix of joy and challenge will ensure you stick with it. 

Your photo essay is ready for the world! Decide how you’d like to make an impact with your work. You might use one or several of the options below.

1. Share it on your website

Create a gallery or a scrollytelling page on your website. This is a great way to drive traffic to your website where people can peruse your photo essay and the rest of the photography you have.

Putting it on your website and optimizing your images for SEO helps you build organic traffic and potentially be discovered by a broader audience, including photo editors.

2. Create a scrollytelling web page

If you enjoy the experience of immersive visual experiences, consider making one using your essay. And no, you don’t have to be a whiz at code to make it happen.

Shorthand helps you build web pages with scrollytelling techniques that make a big impression on viewers. Their free plan allows you to publish 3 essays or stories.

3. Create a Medium post

If you don’t have a website and want to keep things simple, a post on Medium is a great option.

Though it’s known for being a platform for bloggers, it’s also possible to add images to a post for a simple scroll.

And, because readers can discover and share posts, it’s a good place for your photos to get the attention of people who might not otherwise come across it.

4. Share it on Instagram

Instagram has changed a lot over the last couple of years, but it’s still a place for photographers to share their work thoughtfully.

There are at least 3 great ways to share your photo essay on the platform.

– Create a single post for each image. Add a caption. Publish one post per day until the full essay is on your feed. Share each post via Instagram Stories to bring more attention and interaction to your photo essay.

– Create a carousel post. You can add up 10 photos to a carousel post, so you may need to create two of them for your full photo essay. Or you might create a series of carousel posts using 3-4 images in each.

– Create a Reel featuring your images as a video.  The algorithm heavily favors reels, so turning your photo essay into a video experience can get it out to a larger audience.

I ran a “create a reel” challenge in my membership community. One member created a reel with her still images around a serious conservation issue. It gathered a ton of attention and landed her opportunities to share her message through YouTube and podcast interviews and publishing opportunities. Watch it here.

5. Exhibit it locally

Reach out to local galleries, cafes, pubs, or even the public library to see if they’re interested in hanging your photo essay for display. Many local businesses and organizations happily support the work of local artists.

6. Pitch your photo essay to publications

One of the best ways to reach an audience with your work is to get it published. Find publications that are a great fit for the theme and style of your photo essay, then pitch your essay for consideration. You gain a fantastic opportunity to share your work widely and can earn a paycheck at the same time.

Remember that if you want to get your photo essay published, you may want to hold back from sharing it publicly before you pitch it to publications.

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How to Make a Photo Essay: 5 Tips for Impactful Results

A Post By: Christina N Dickson

Want to tell meaningful stories with your photos? That’s what a photo essay is all about: conveying concepts and narratives through a series of carefully chosen images.

While telling a story with photos can be a daunting task, there are several easy tips and techniques you can use in your photo essays to create striking, stunning, eye-opening results.

And that’s what I’m going to share in this article: five photo essay tips that you can immediately apply to your photography. You’ll leave as a better photo essayist than when you arrived!

Let’s get started.

What is a photo essay?

A photo essay is a collection of images placed in a specific order to convey certain emotions , specific concepts, or a progression of events.

In other words:

The photo essay tells stories just like a normal piece of writing , except with images instead of words. (Here, I’m using the term “story” loosely; as mentioned above, photo essays can encapsulate emotions or concepts in addition to traditional, time-based narratives.)

Plenty of world-class photojournalists use photo essays, including Lauren Greenfield, James Nachtwey, and Joachim Ladefoged. But the photo essay format isn’t exclusive to professionals, and photo essays don’t need to cover dramatic events such as wars, natural disasters, and social issues. Whether you are a complete beginner, a hobbyist, or a professional, the photo essay is a great way to bring your images to life, tell relevant stories about your own surroundings, and touch your family, friends, and coworkers.

So without further ado, let’s look at five easy tips to take your photo essays to the next level, starting with:

1. Find a topic you care about

Every good photo essay should start with an idea .

Otherwise, you’ll be shooting without a purpose – and while such an approach may eventually lead to an interesting series of photos, it’s far, far easier to begin with a topic and only then take out your camera.

As I emphasized above, a photo essay can be about anything. You don’t need to fixate on “classic” photo essay themes, such as war and poverty. Instead, you might focus on local issues that matter to you (think of problems plaguing your community). You can also think about interesting stories worth telling, even if they don’t have an activism angle.

For instance, is there an area undergoing major development? Try documenting the work from start to finish. Is there a particular park or nature area you love? Create a series of images that communicate its beauty.

One key item to remember:

Photo essays are most powerful when you, as the photographer, care about the subject. Whether you choose to document something major and public, like an environmental crisis, or whether you choose to document something small and intimate, like the first month of a newborn in the family, make sure you focus on a topic that matters to you .

Otherwise, you’ll struggle to finish the essay – and even if you do successfully complete it, viewers will likely notice your lack of passion.

2. Do your research

The best photo essays involve some real work. Don’t just walk around and shoot with abandon; instead, try to understand your subject.

That way, you can capture a more authentic series of photos.

For instance, if you document a newborn’s first month , spend time with the family. Discover who the parents are, what culture they are from, and their parenting philosophy.

If you cover the process of a school’s drama production, talk with the teachers, actors, and stagehands; investigate the general interest of the student body; find out how the school is financing the production and keeping costs down.

If you photograph a birthday party, check out the theme, the decorations they plan on using, what the birthday kid hopes to get for their gifts.

If you’re passionate about your topic, the research should come easy. You should enjoy learning the backstory.

And then, when it comes time to actually shoot, you’ll have a much clearer understanding of the topic. You’ll know the key players in the story, the key ideas, and the key locations. You’ll be able to hone in on what matters and block out the flashy distractions.

Make sense?

3. Find the right angle

Once you’ve done your research, you’ll know your topic inside and out.

At which point you’ll need to ask yourself:

What is the real, authentic story I want to tell?

Every story has a hundred different angles and perspectives. And trying to share the story from every perspective is a recipe for failure.

Instead, pick a single angle and focus on it. If you’re documenting a local issue, do you want to focus on how it affects children? The physical area? The economy? If you’re documenting a newborn’s first month, do you want to focus on the interaction between the newborn and the parents? The growth of the newborn? The newborn’s emotions?

As you’ll find out during your research, even stories that seem to be completely one-sided have plenty of hidden perspectives to draw on.

So think about your story carefully. In general, I recommend you approach it from the angle you’re most passionate about (consider the previous tip!), but you’re always free to explore different perspectives.

4. Convey emotion

Not all photo essays must convey emotion. But the most powerful ones do.

After all, think of the stories that you know and love. Your favorite books, movies, and TV shows. Do they touch you on an emotional level?

Don’t get me wrong: Every photo essay shouldn’t cover a sappy, heartstring-tugging tale. You can always focus on conveying other emotions: anger, joy, fear, hurt, excitement.

(Of course, if your story is sappy and heartstring-tugging, that’s fine, too – just don’t force it!)

How do you convey emotions, though? There’s no one set way, but you can include photos of meaningful scenes – human interactions generally work well here! – or you can simply show emotion on the faces of your photographic subjects . Really, the best way to communicate emotions through your photos is to feel the emotions yourself; they’ll bleed over into your work for a unique result.

5. Plan your shots

Once you’ve done the research and determined the angle and emotions you’d like to convey, I recommend you sit down, take out a pen and paper, and plan your photo essay .

Should you extensively visualize each photo? Should you walk through the venue, imagining possible compositions ?

Honestly, that’s up to you, and it’ll depend on how you like to work. I do recommend that beginners start out by creating a “shot list” for the essay. Here, you should describe the main subject, the narrative purpose of the image, plus any lighting or composition notes. Once you become more experienced, you can be looser in your planning, though I still recommend you at least think about the different shots you want to capture.

You can start by planning 10 shots. Each one should emphasize a different concept or emotion, but make sure to keep a consistent thread running through every composition; after all, the end goal is to create a powerful series of images that tell a story.

One final tip:

While you should stick to your plan pretty closely, at least at first, don’t ignore the potential for spontaneity. If you see a possible shot, take it! You can later evaluate whether it’s a worthwhile addition to your essay.

Photo essay tips: final words

Now that you’ve finished this article, you know all about what photo essays are, and – hopefully! – how to create a beautiful essay of your own.

Just remember: storytelling takes practice, but you don’t have to be an incredible writer to pull off a powerful photo essay. All you need is a bit of photographic technique, some creativity, and a lot of heart.

Once you start to tell stories with your photos, your portfolio will never be the same!

Now over to you:

Do you have any tips for doing photo essays? Do you have any essays you’re proud of? Share them in the comments below!

Read more from our Tips & Tutorials category

is a visionary artist and philanthropist in Portland Oregon. Her work includes wedding photography www.BrideInspired.com and leadership with www.RevMediaBlog.com .

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How to Create an Engaging Photo Essay (with Examples)

Photo essays tell a story in pictures. They're a great way to improve at photography and story-telling skills at once. Learn how to do create a great one.

Learn | Photography Guides | By Ana Mireles

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Photography is a medium used to tell stories – sometimes they are told in one picture, sometimes you need a whole series. Those series can be photo essays.

If you’ve never done a photo essay before, or you’re simply struggling to find your next project, this article will be of help. I’ll be showing you what a photo essay is and how to go about doing one.

You’ll also find plenty of photo essay ideas and some famous photo essay examples from recent times that will serve you as inspiration.

If you’re ready to get started, let’s jump right in!

Table of Contents

What is a Photo Essay?

A photo essay is a series of images that share an overarching theme as well as a visual and technical coherence to tell a story. Some people refer to a photo essay as a photo series or a photo story – this often happens in photography competitions.

Photographic history is full of famous photo essays. Think about The Great Depression by Dorothea Lange, Like Brother Like Sister by Wolfgang Tillmans, Gandhi’s funeral by Henri Cartier Bresson, amongst others.

What are the types of photo essay?

Despite popular belief, the type of photo essay doesn’t depend on the type of photography that you do – in other words, journalism, documentary, fine art, or any other photographic genre is not a type of photo essay.

Instead, there are two main types of photo essays: narrative and thematic .

As you have probably already guessed, the thematic one presents images pulled together by a topic – for example, global warming. The images can be about animals and nature as well as natural disasters devastating cities. They can happen all over the world or in the same location, and they can be captured in different moments in time – there’s a lot of flexibility.

A narrative photo essa y, on the other hand, tells the story of a character (human or not), portraying a place or an event. For example, a narrative photo essay on coffee would document the process from the planting and harvesting – to the roasting and grinding until it reaches your morning cup.

What are some of the key elements of a photo essay?

• Tell a unique story – A unique story doesn’t mean that you have to photograph something that nobody has done before – that would be almost impossible! It means that you should consider what you’re bringing to the table on a particular topic.
• Put yourself into the work – One of the best ways to make a compelling photo essay is by adding your point of view, which can only be done with your life experiences and the way you see the world.
• Add depth to the concept – The best photo essays are the ones that go past the obvious and dig deeper in the story, going behind the scenes, or examining a day in the life of the subject matter – that’s what pulls in the spectator.
• Nail the technique – Even if the concept and the story are the most important part of a photo essay, it won’t have the same success if it’s poorly executed.
• Build a structure – A photo essay is about telling a thought-provoking story – so, think about it in a narrative way. Which images are going to introduce the topic? Which ones represent a climax? How is it going to end – how do you want the viewer to feel after seeing your photo series?
• Make strong choices – If you really want to convey an emotion and a unique point of view, you’re going to need to make some hard decisions. Which light are you using? Which lens? How many images will there be in the series? etc., and most importantly for a great photo essay is the why behind those choices.

9 Tips for Creating a Photo Essay

Credit: Laura James

1. Choose something you know

To make a good photo essay, you don’t need to travel to an exotic location or document a civil war – I mean, it’s great if you can, but you can start close to home.

Depending on the type of photography you do and the topic you’re looking for in your photographic essay, you can photograph a local event or visit an abandoned building outside your town.

It will be much easier for you to find a unique perspective and tell a better story if you’re already familiar with the subject. Also, consider that you might have to return a few times to the same location to get all the photos you need.

2. Follow your passion

Most photo essays take dedication and passion. If you choose a subject that might be easy, but you’re not really into it – the results won’t be as exciting. Taking photos will always be easier and more fun if you’re covering something you’re passionate about.

3. Take your time

A great photo essay is not done in a few hours. You need to put in the time to research it, conceptualizing it, editing, etc. That’s why I previously recommended following your passion because it takes a lot of dedication, and if you’re not passionate about it – it’s difficult to push through.

4. Write a summary or statement

Photo essays are always accompanied by some text. You can do this in the form of an introduction, write captions for each photo or write it as a conclusion. That’s up to you and how you want to present the work.

5. Learn from the masters

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Making a photographic essay takes a lot of practice and knowledge. A great way to become a better photographer and improve your storytelling skills is by studying the work of others. You can go to art shows, review books and magazines and look at the winners in photo contests – most of the time, there’s a category for photo series.

6. Get a wide variety of photos

Think about a story – a literary one. It usually tells you where the story is happening, who is the main character, and it gives you a few details to make you engage with it, right?

The same thing happens with a visual story in a photo essay – you can do some wide-angle shots to establish the scenes and some close-ups to show the details. Make a shot list to ensure you cover all the different angles.

Some of your pictures should guide the viewer in, while others are more climatic and regard the experience they are taking out of your photos.

7. Follow a consistent look

Both in style and aesthetics, all the images in your series need to be coherent. You can achieve this in different ways, from the choice of lighting, the mood, the post-processing, etc.

8. Be self-critical

Once you have all the photos, make sure you edit them with a good dose of self-criticism. Not all the pictures that you took belong in the photo essay. Choose only the best ones and make sure they tell the full story.

9. Ask for constructive feedback

Often, when we’re working on a photo essay project for a long time, everything makes perfect sense in our heads. However, someone outside the project might not be getting the idea. It’s important that you get honest and constructive criticism to improve your photography.

How to Create a Photo Essay in 5 Steps

Credit: Quang Nguyen Vinh

1. Choose your topic

This is the first step that you need to take to decide if your photo essay is going to be narrative or thematic. Then, choose what is it going to be about?

Ideally, it should be something that you’re interested in, that you have something to say about it, and it can connect with other people.

2. Research your topic

To tell a good story about something, you need to be familiar with that something. This is especially true when you want to go deeper and make a compelling photo essay. Day in the life photo essays are a popular choice, since often, these can be performed with friends and family, whom you already should know well.

3. Plan your photoshoot

Depending on what you’re photographing, this step can be very different from one project to the next. For a fine art project, you might need to find a location, props, models, a shot list, etc., while a documentary photo essay is about planning the best time to do the photos, what gear to bring with you, finding a local guide, etc.

Every photo essay will need different planning, so before taking pictures, put in the required time to get things right.

4. Experiment

It’s one thing to plan your photo shoot and having a shot list that you have to get, or else the photo essay won’t be complete. It’s another thing to miss out on some amazing photo opportunities that you couldn’t foresee.

So, be prepared but also stay open-minded and experiment with different settings, different perspectives, etc.

5. Make a final selection

Editing your work can be one of the hardest parts of doing a photo essay. Sometimes we can be overly critical, and others, we get attached to bad photos because we put a lot of effort into them or we had a great time doing them.

Try to be as objective as possible, don’t be afraid to ask for opinions and make various revisions before settling down on a final cut.

7 Photo Essay Topics, Ideas & Examples

Credit: Michelle Leman

• Architectural photo essay

Using architecture as your main subject, there are tons of photo essay ideas that you can do. For some inspiration, you can check out the work of Francisco Marin – who was trained as an architect and then turned to photography to “explore a different way to perceive things”.

You can also lookup Luisa Lambri. Amongst her series, you’ll find many photo essay examples in which architecture is the subject she uses to explore the relationship between photography and space.

• Process and transformation photo essay

This is one of the best photo essay topics for beginners because the story tells itself. Pick something that has a beginning and an end, for example, pregnancy, the metamorphosis of a butterfly, the life-cycle of a plant, etc.

Keep in mind that these topics are linear and give you an easy way into the narrative flow – however, it might be difficult to find an interesting perspective and a unique point of view.

• A day in the life of ‘X’ photo essay

There are tons of interesting photo essay ideas in this category – you can follow around a celebrity, a worker, your child, etc. You don’t even have to do it about a human subject – think about doing a photo essay about a day in the life of a racing horse, for example – find something that’s interesting for you.

• Time passing by photo essay

It can be a natural site or a landmark photo essay – whatever is close to you will work best as you’ll need to come back multiple times to capture time passing by. For example, how this place changes throughout the seasons or maybe even over the years.

A fun option if you live with family is to document a birthday party each year, seeing how the subject changes over time. This can be combined with a transformation essay or sorts, documenting the changes in interpersonal relationships over time.

• Travel photo essay

Do you want to make the jump from tourist snapshots into a travel photo essay? Research the place you’re going to be travelling to. Then, choose a topic.

If you’re having trouble with how to do this, check out any travel magazine – National Geographic, for example. They won’t do a generic article about Texas – they do an article about the beach life on the Texas Gulf Coast and another one about the diverse flavors of Texas.

The more specific you get, the deeper you can go with the story.

• Socio-political issues photo essay

This is one of the most popular photo essay examples – it falls under the category of photojournalism or documental photography. They are usually thematic, although it’s also possible to do a narrative one.

Depending on your topic of interest, you can choose topics that involve nature – for example, document the effects of global warming. Another idea is to photograph protests or make an education photo essay.

It doesn’t have to be a big global issue; you can choose something specific to your community – are there too many stray dogs? Make a photo essay about a local animal shelter. The topics are endless.

• Behind the scenes photo essay

A behind-the-scenes always make for a good photo story – people are curious to know what happens and how everything comes together before a show.

Depending on your own interests, this can be a photo essay about a fashion show, a theatre play, a concert, and so on. You’ll probably need to get some permissions, though, not only to shoot but also to showcase or publish those images.

4 Best Photo Essays in Recent times

Now that you know all the techniques about it, it might be helpful to look at some photo essay examples to see how you can put the concept into practice. Here are some famous photo essays from recent times to give you some inspiration.

Habibi by Antonio Faccilongo

This photo essay wan the World Press Photo Story of the Year in 2021. Faccilongo explores a very big conflict from a very specific and intimate point of view – how the Israeli-Palestinian war affects the families.

He chose to use a square format because it allows him to give order to things and eliminate unnecessary elements in his pictures.

With this long-term photo essay, he wanted to highlight the sense of absence and melancholy women and families feel towards their husbands away at war.

The project then became a book edited by Sarah Leen and the graphics of Ramon Pez.

Picture This: New Orleans by Mary Ellen Mark

The last assignment before her passing, Mary Ellen Mark travelled to New Orleans to register the city after a decade after Hurricane Katrina.

The images of the project “bring to life the rebirth and resilience of the people at the heart of this tale”, – says CNNMoney, commissioner of the work.

Each survivor of the hurricane has a story, and Mary Ellen Mark was there to record it. Some of them have heartbreaking stories about everything they had to leave behind.

Others have a story of hope – like Sam and Ben, two eight-year-olds born from frozen embryos kept in a hospital that lost power supply during the hurricane, yet they managed to survive.

Selfie by Cindy Sherman

Cindy Sherman is an American photographer whose work is mainly done through self-portraits. With them, she explores the concept of identity, gender stereotypes, as well as visual and cultural codes.

One of her latest photo essays was a collaboration with W Magazine entitled Selfie. In it, the author explores the concept of planned candid photos (‘plandid’).

The work was made for Instagram, as the platform is well known for the conflict between the ‘real self’ and the one people present online. Sherman started using Facetune, Perfect365 and YouCam to alter her appearance on selfies – in Photoshop, you can modify everything, but these apps were designed specifically to “make things prettier”- she says, and that’s what she wants to explore in this photo essay.

Tokyo Compression by Michael Wolf

Michael Wolf has an interest in the broad-gauge topic Life in Cities. From there, many photo essays have been derived – amongst them – Tokyo Compression .

He was horrified by the way people in Tokyo are forced to move to the suburbs because of the high prices of the city. Therefore, they are required to make long commutes facing 1,5 hours of train to start their 8+ hour workday followed by another 1,5 hours to get back home.

To portray this way of life, he photographed the people inside the train pressed against the windows looking exhausted, angry or simply absent due to this way of life.

You can visit his website to see other photo essays that revolve around the topic of life in megacities.

Final Words

It’s not easy to make photo essays, so don’t expect to be great at it right from your first project.

Start off small by choosing a specific subject that’s interesting to you –  that will come from an honest place, and it will be a great practice for some bigger projects along the line.

Whether you like to shoot still life or you’re a travel photographer, I hope these photo essay tips and photo essay examples can help you get started and grow in your photography.

Let us know which topics you are working on right now – we’ll love to hear from you!

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Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

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Parma police find instant results with newly installed license plate cameras

• Updated: Aug. 29, 2024, 1:06 a.m.
• | Published: Aug. 28, 2024, 8:05 a.m.

The Parma Police Department recently put up Flock cameras at the intersection of Brookpark Road and West 130th Street. John Benson/cleveland.com

• John Benson, special to cleveland.com

PARMA, Ohio -- A dozen Flock Safety cameras recently went operational in Parma.

“Within the first few days, we had a vehicle owner with a Cleveland warrant for homicide drive into the city,” Police Chief James I. Blair said.

“Our detectives and officers, who are tied in the system, were notified on their phones that this vehicle had come through at Pearl Road and Brookpark Road.

“They did a little bit of investigative work and were able to find which street that he frequented. Police went by the house, saw the vehicle and set up a little dragnet for him.

“When he came out, they stopped him and arrested him without incident.”

Most recently, the police chief said his officers were alerted about a vehicle tied to an aggravated robbery.

“It actually drove right by them and they pursued it,” he said. “The vehicle went into Cleveland and ended up getting stopped.

“One of the arrested males had an AK-47 on him. That’s what we got off the streets because of Flock cameras.”

The city is paying $43,800 for the cameras, which read vehicle colors, types and license plates.

“The way the system works is you can do your own little hotlist,” he said.

“You can set up the filters for notifications for, say, warrants, people under suspension, protection orders, things like that.”

The expenditure with the Atlanta firm included a site assessment by Flock Safety, installation and set-up.

Going forward, the cost for each operating camera is $3,000 annually.

The cameras are strategically placed along Parma’s northern border with Cleveland at Brookpark Road intersections -- State Road, Broadview Road, Ridge Road, Pearl Road, West 130th Street and West 54th Street.

“We have them facing both north and south,” Blair said.

As for the intersection of Brookpark and Tiedeman roads, the police chief said the busy area is covered by the Brooklyn Police Department’s Flock camera.

Originally, Parma anticipated adding four cameras. However, Flock Safety changed its policy about access to shared area surveillance footage, which prompted the department to increase coverage.

“We were using the system without having cameras,” Blair said. “Then, in April, they cut everybody off who weren’t customers.

“Our detectives (had) used them all the time.

“The new stipulation was you have to have so many cameras based on the size of your city. For Parma, that number was 12.”

Looking ahead, Blair said his department will evaluate the camera use, with possible additions.

“It’s been a great success, but there are a few more areas on the border I’d like to cover and maybe even bring some into the interior, where we have some other issues,” he said.

“This is about community safety, helping us solve and prevent crimes. These Flock cameras contribute to the overall safety of our community.

“And, hopefully, it’ll foster a sense of security among our residents.”

Read more news from the Parma Sun Post .

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Visiting Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion?

You must join the virtual exhibition queue when you arrive. If capacity has been reached for the day, the queue will close early.

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History Essays

Saint petersburg.

Ewer and basin (lavabo set)

Probably made at Chisinau Court Workshop

Andrei Nikiforovich Voronikhin

Alexander Danilovich Menshikov (1673–1729)

Unknown Artist, Swiss, Austrian, or German, active Russia ca. 1703–4

Samuel Margas Jr.

The Empress Elizabeth of Russia (1709–1762) on Horseback, Attended by a Page

Attributed to Georg Christoph Grooth

Table snuffbox

Niello scenes after a print entitled Naufrage (Shipwreck) by Jacques de Lajoüe , published in Paris 1736

Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet) (1694–1778)

Jean Antoine Houdon

Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St. Petersburg

Cup with cover and saucer

Two bottle coolers

Zacharias Deichman the Elder

Catherine II The Great, Empress of Russia

Jean-Baptiste Nini

Coffee service

Johan Henrik Blom

Tureen with cover

Tureen with cover and stand

Jacques-Nicolas Roettiers

Possibly by Pierre-François-Mathis de Beaulieu (for Jean Georges)

Pair of scallop-shell dishes

Sugar bowl (from a tea service)

Workshop of David Roentgen

Beaker and saucer

David Roentgen and Company in Saint Petersburg

Johann Friedrich Anthing

Drop-front desk (secrétaire à abattant or secrétaire en cabinet)

Attributed to Martin Carlin

Pair of Flintlock Pistols of Empress Catherine the Great (1729–1796)

Johan Adolph Grecke

Gardner Manufactory

Center table

Imperial Armory, Tula (south of Moscow), Russia

Female Shaman

Pair of vases

Nikolai Stepanovich Vereshchagin

Jugate busts of Czarevitch Paul and Maria Feodorovna of Russia

James Tassie

Wolfram Koeppe Department of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

October 2003

The Birth of Saint Petersburg Russia, or “Muscovy” as it was often called, had rarely been considered a part of Europe before the reign of Czar Peter I (Piotr Alexeievich), known as Peter the Great (r. 1682–1725). His supremacy marked the beginning of the country’s “Westernization,” whereby the political, economic, and cultural norms of the western European monarchies would become the basis for “civilizing” Russia. A radical transformation was needed to launch Russia into the modern world, a transformation later called the Petrine Revolution. The young czar, feeling oppressed by the medieval traditions and ecclesiastical patriarchy of seventeenth-century Moscow, wanted to Westernize Russia in a hurry, defying the sluggish pace of history.

Saint Petersburg was born on May 16, 1703 (May 5 by the old Julian Russian calendar). On that day, on a small island on the north bank of the Neva River, Peter cut two pieces of turf and placed them cross-wise. The setting was inauspicious. The area was a swamp that remained frozen from early November to March, with an annual average of 104 days of rain and 74 days of snow. The army, under the command of Alexander Menshikov ( 1996.7 ), had conquered the region shortly before. To show his gratitude, the czar later appointed Menshikov the first governor-general of Saint Petersburg. The fortification of the territory kept the Swedish enemy at bay and secured for Russia permanent access to the Baltic Sea. The partially ice-free harbor would be crucial to further economic development. All buildings on the site were erected on wooden poles driven into the marshy, unstable ground. Stones were a rare commodity in Russia, and about as valuable as precious metals.

The Dutch name “Piterburkh” (later changed to the German version, “Petersburg”) embodied the czar’s fascination with Holland and its small-scale urban architecture. He disliked patriarchal court ceremony and felt at ease in the bourgeois domestic life that he experienced during his travels throughout Europe on “the Great Embassy” (1697–98). However, the primary purpose of this voyage was to acquire firsthand knowledge of shipbuilding—his personal passion—and to learn about progressive techniques and Western ideas.

The victory over the Swedish army at Poltava in June 1709 elevated Russia to the rank of a European power, no longer to be ignored. Peter triumphed: “Now with God’s help the final stone in the foundation of Saint Petersburg has been laid.” By 1717, the city’s population of about 8,000 had tripled, and grew to around 40,000 by the time of Peter’s death in 1725. Saint Petersburg had become the commercial, industrial, administrative, and residential “metropolis” of Russia. By the 1790s, it had surpassed Moscow as the empire’s largest urban vicinity and was hailed as the “Venice of the North,” an allusion to the waterway system around the local “Grand Canal,” the Neva River.

Peter the Great’s Successors The short reign of Peter’s second wife, Empress Catherine I (r. 1725–27), who depended on her long-time favorite Menshikov, saw the reinstatement of the luxurious habits of the former imperial household. The archaic and ostentatious court display in the Byzantine tradition  that Peter had so despised was now to be restored under the pretext of glorifying his legacy. Enormous sums of money were lavished on foreign luxury items, demonstrating the court’s new international status and its observance of western European manners ( 68.141.133 ).

During the reigns of Empress Anna Ioannovna (r. 1730–40), niece of Peter I ( 1982.60.330a,b ), and her successor Elizabeth (Elizaveta Petrovna, r. 1741–62; 1978.554.2 ), Peter’s daughter, Saint Petersburg was transformed into a Baroque extravaganza through the talents of architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli (1700–1771) and other Western and Russian artisans. Foreign powers began to recognize Russia’s importance and competed for closer diplomatic relations. Foreign immigrants increased much faster than the local population, as scholars, craftsmen, artisans, and specialists of all kinds flocked to the country, and especially to Saint Petersburg ( 65.47 ; 1982.60.172,.173 ; 1995.327 ).

Catherine the Great (r. 1762–96) In a coup d’état assisted by the five Orloff brothers ( 33.165.2a–c ; 48.187.386,.387 ), Catherine II overthrew her husband, the ill-fated Peter III (r. 1762) and became empress. Catherine saw herself as the political heir of Peter the Great. A German-born princess of Anhalt-Zerbst who, after her marriage, became more Russian than any native, Catherine aimed at completing Peter’s legacy ( 52.189.11 ; 48.73.1 ). Having lived in isolation in the shadow of Elizabeth I since her marriage to the grand duke in 1745, the time had come to satisfy her thirst for life and her insatiable quest for culture and international recognition. An admirer of the Enlightenment and devoted aficionada of Voltaire’s writings, Catherine stimulated his cult in Russia ( 1972.61 ). In response, the French philosopher dedicated a poem to the czarina; her reply, dated October 15, 1763, initiated a correspondence that influenced the empress on many matters until Voltaire’s death in 1778. The hothouse cultural climate of Saint Petersburg during Catherine’s reign can be compared to the artistic and intellectual ferment in New York City in the second half of the twentieth century.

Catherine’s desire to enhance her fame and her claim to the throne was immortalized by her own witty play on words in Latin: “Petro Primo / Catharina Secunda” (To Peter the First / from Catherine the Second). This she had inscribed on the vast lump of granite in the form of a wave supporting the Bronze Horseman on the banks of the Neva in front of Saint Isaac’s Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. This triple-lifesize equestrian figure of Peter the Great took the French sculptor Falconet twelve years to complete, until it was finally cast—after three attempts—in 1782.

Catherine had military expansion plans for Russia and a cultural vision for its capital Saint Petersburg. Above all, she knew how to attract devoted supporters. Only nine days after the overthrow of her husband, Catherine wrote to Denis Diderot, offering to print his famous Encyclopédie , which had been banned in France. Catherine recognized the power of art to demonstrate political and social maturity. She acquired entire collections of painting ( Watteau , for example), sculpture, and objects. The empress avoided anything that could be called mediocre or small. With the help of sophisticated advisors, such as Prince Dmitrii Golitsyn, her ambassador in Paris, Denis Diderot, Falconet, and the illustrious Baron Friedrich Melchior von Grimm, the empress assembled the core of today’s State Hermitage Museum. Catherine favored luxury goods from all over Europe ( 33.165.2a–c ; 48.187.386,.387 ; 17.190.1158 ). She commissioned Sèvres porcelain and Wedgwood pottery as well as hundreds of pieces of ingeniously conceived furniture from the German manufactory of David Roentgen in Neuwied ( 48.73.1 ). Furthermore, she encouraged and supported Russian enterprises and craftsmen, like local silversmiths ( 47.51.1–.5 ; 1981.367.1,.2 ) and the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory ( 1982.60.171 ; 1982.60.177,.178 ; 1982.60.175 ), as well as privately owned manufactories ( 1982.60.158 ). Catherine especially liked the sparkling decorative products of the Tula armory steel workshop ( 2002.115 ), genuine Russian art forms with a fairy-tale-like appearance, and in 1775 merged her large collection of Tula objects with the imperial crown jewels in a newly constructed gallery at the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg.

Catherine’s son and successor Paul I (Pavel Petrovich, r. 1796–1801) disliked his mother and her aesthetic sensibility ( 1998.13.1,.2 ). As grand duke, he had spent most of his time with his second wife Maria Feodorovna ( 1999.525 ) outside of Saint Petersburg, in Gatchina Palace and Pavlovsk Palace. These they transformed into the finest Neoclassical architectural gems in Europe ( 1976.155.110 ; 2002.115 ).

Koeppe, Wolfram. “Saint Petersburg.” In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History . New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/stpt/hd_stpt.htm (October 2003)

Further Reading

Cracraft, James. The Petrine Revolution in Russian Imagery . Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997.

Koeppe, Wolfram, and Marina Nudel. "An Unsuspected Bust of Alexander Menshikov." Metropolitan Museum Journal 35 (2000), pp. 161–77.

Shvidkovsky, Dmitri, and Alexander Orloff. St. Petersburg: Architecture of the Tsars . New York: Abbeville, 1995.

Additional Essays by Wolfram Koeppe

• Koeppe, Wolfram. “ Abraham and David Roentgen .” (June 2013)
• Koeppe, Wolfram. “ Hungarian Silver .” (February 2016)
• Koeppe, Wolfram. “ Collecting for the Kunstkammer .” (October 2002)

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Saint Petersburg city view

Report a mistake , st. petersburg.

The PTZ online camera shows Northern and cultural capital of Russia, the great St. Petersburg and its most important sights: Nevsky Prospect, Alexandrinsky Theatre and Gostiny Dvor.

Nevsky Prospect

Nevsky Prospect on live stream web camera is the widest, longest (4,5 km) and the most important street of the St. Petersburg city, the fully completed in 1718. There is an interesting fact – the even side of the avenue is always sunny. This part is much more crowded and all people are smiling walking along it.

Nevsky Prospect, which you see on the camera online, was badly damaged during the bombing and shelling in the days of the siege of Leningrad, but fortunately, the historic buildings survived: the Heydenreich’s house, the Stroganovs palace , the Silver rows, the tower of the former City Duma building, the Gostiny Dvor, Anichkov Palace , Armenian Apostolic Church of St. Catherine.

The most famous building of 19-20 centuries – the house of Singer , caused a lot of controversy and criticism is located here. Mertens hous e and Eliseevsky store are located here – trades in various delicacies like in the tsarist years.

Three rivers are intersected by Nevsky Prospect online : Moika, the Griboedov Canal and the Fontanka , with the famous Anichkov Bridge and magnificent sculptures – “Horse Tamers” .

One of the largest shopping centers – Nevsky Center is located on Nevsky Prospect online too. Besides a huge number of cafes, restaurants, boutiques, here is the oldest cinema “ Aurora”.

One of the most famous sights of St. Petersburg – the Kazan Cathedral (main Orthodox church) with live stream web cam is located on Nevsky Prospect too.

Alexandrinsky Theatre

This PTZ webcam also clearly shows the famous Alexandrinsky Theatre, the oldest in Russia, located in a beautiful building on Nevsky Prospect. The great theatre in a live broadcas t got its name in honor of the wife of Emperor Nicholas I – Alexandra Fedorovna.

This historical architectural monument of St. Petersburg is under the protection of UNESCO.

The building of the Alexandrinsky Theatre, which you see online , is located on an underground tributary of the Fontanka River, occupying a floating foundation of 5000 oak piles.

Nowadays, the Alexandrinsky Theatre, perfectly shown in a webcam , is officially called the Russian State Pushkin Academy Drama Theatre .

Among the employees of the theatre there are such famous directors as Vsevolod Meyerhold, Leonid Vivien, Grigory Kozintsev, Georgy Tovstonogov and Nikolay Akimov . Today the Alexandrinsky Theatre is under the direction of Valery Fokin.

The repertoire of the Alexandrinsky Theatre, clearly visible in a live HD camera , includes such famous performances as “”Uncle Vanya”, “Seagul”, “Marriage”, as well as great ballet productions: “Swan Lake” and “La Bayadere”.

Gostiny Dvor

The oldest trading company in St. Petersburg with the live camera, Gostiny Dvor, also falls into the lens of our online camera. This is a real architectural monument, under the protection and guard of the Russian Federation.

The building of the Gostiny Dvor, well shown in a live broadcast , covers the entire quarter, representing an irregular quadrangle, made by Nevsky Prospect, Sadovaya Street, Perinnaya Liniya and Lomonosov Street.

The main part of the Gostiny Dvor is looking at Nevsky Prospect, which is also visible in a live camera.

The first floor of the Gostiny Dvor online , is occupied by souvenir shops and tourist goods. Also here is the store of the famous Russian football team “Zenit”. The second floor of the building is occupied by shops with men’s and women’s clothing, as well as other shops.

In the Gostiny Dvor, which you can see online , there are more than 2 million goods in the halls, occupying more than 2 kilometers of area.

Gostiny Dvor in St. Petersburg, where the live broadcast comes from, is not only a historically important shopping center, but also a popular meeting and social place. Also there are various entertainment events are held

Must do in St. Petersburg:

1. Rise up to the colonnade of St. Isaac’s Cathedral and admire the city. 2. Visit the Hermitage museum . 3. Visit the opera at the Mariinsky Theatre. 4. Admire how is breeding the Palace Bridge. 5. Throw a coin to the bronze Chizhyk-Pyzhik on the Fontanka. 6. White Night city walk.

Watch other interesting live broadcasts from Baltic Live Cam – the famous Kazan Cathedra l, the picturesque Vasilyevsky Island and the legendary Aurora cruiser .

The climate in St. Petersburg online, is moderate. Few sunny days during all the year. Summer in St. Petersburg is not very hot due to the sea climate and the Baltic winds. Winter in St. Petersburg is rather dank with a gusty wet wind. The Weather is very changeable here – in the summer a cold wind can appear suddenly, and in winter it can quickly be filled with snow or vice versa – it can be sharply warmed. Weather forecast for St. Petersburg for 7 days is available on our website online .

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