Disposable cameras are making a raging comeback! Their simplicity, nostalgia, and unique aesthetic make them a favorite for events, trips, and spontaneous adventures. But with only a limited number of exposures, every click matters. Let’s dive into the best practices for using disposable cameras so you capture every moment intentionally and finish with a full roll of memories.
Understand Your Camera’s Limitations
Click Film Cameras come with 27 exposures. That’s not a lot when compared to the endless snaps of a smartphone, so it’s important to be mindful of each shot. Know your camera's exposure count before heading out, and make a mental note of how many frames you have left as you go.
Plan Ahead — But Stay Flexible
Think about the event or trip you’re documenting. Are you at a wedding with multiple key moments? On a multi-day hiking adventure? Planning ahead helps you allocate your shots wisely. For example:
- Weddings: Save clicks for major moments — the first dance, cake cutting, and group shots.
- Trips: Spread exposures evenly across days, saving a few for spontaneous discoveries or sunsets.
That said, don’t be too rigid. Sometimes the best photos come from unplanned, candid moments.
Pace Your Shots
It’s easy to get snap-happy at the start of an event, but restraint pays off. Try a simple pacing strategy: break the event or day into sections, and assign a rough number of exposures to each. If you’re at a day-long festival with 27 shots, consider using around 4-5 frames every couple of hours.
Capture Context and Details
Mix up your shots to tell a fuller story of your experience. Instead of only snapping people, capture environmental details, landscapes, decorations, and close-ups of objects. These contextual images add depth to your collection and help evoke memories when you look back.
Just remember - in darker environments, keep the subjects of your photo within 4-6 feet so that the flash can do its job.
Use All Your Clicks
One of the biggest disappointments is discovering you’ve brought home a half-used disposable camera. Unused frames are missed opportunities! As your event or trip winds down, assess your remaining exposures. If you have a handful left, go on a mini-photo walk or gather friends for impromptu portraits. Fill every frame so you don’t leave any potential memories undeveloped.
Mind the Lighting
Disposable cameras have fixed settings, meaning you don’t get to adjust shutter speed or aperture. But you can control where and when you shoot. Take advantage of natural light, avoid backlighting your subjects, and use the flash in dim settings or indoors. Many cameras have a built-in flash range (usually around 3–8 feet) — get familiar with it to avoid underexposed shots.
Steady Your Hands
Blurred photos can happen easily with disposable cameras, especially in low light. Hold the camera steady, brace your elbows against your body, and exhale slowly as you press the shutter. For group shots, count down to let everyone prepare.
Get Creative
The limited nature of disposables encourages thoughtful, artistic shots. Try different angles, experiment with silhouettes, or play with reflections. The beauty of film is its unpredictability — some of your experiments might result in surprisingly magical images.
Develop and Relive the Memories
After your event or trip, don’t delay getting your film developed. Reliving the experience through printed photos or digital scans is part of the fun. You might even want to create a scrapbook or photo album to commemorate the occasion.
Final Thoughts
Disposable cameras are more than just a retro novelty — they’re a way to slow down and appreciate photography as an art. By pacing your exposures, embracing spontaneity, and ensuring you use every click, you’ll come away with a collection of meaningful, tangible memories. So next time you grab a Click camera, remember: every frame is a chance to capture something special.
Ready to start your next adventure? Grab a disposable camera from Click and let the memories unfold, one click at a time.