Expired Disposable Camera Scans | Oregon | Whitney Beth Photography
While packing for our Oregon trip I was looking for some film for my Instant camera and came across an unused and undeveloped disposable camera still in it’s packaging. It expired in 2011. I had originally taken it up with me to college when I first moved out, but never got around to using it. In fact, this little camera has been with me since high school! It moved from Oregon to Utah to Idaho, back to Utah and then from our apartment to house. I figured it was time that this camera finally got to go on a trip and fulfill it’s purpose. What better place than back to Oregon where our journey first started out together?
This roll of film had 30 exposures on it. Since it was expired, and the flash battery was dead, I wasn’t sure how much of it was going to be usable. We took photos at every place we went. The boys were intrigued by not knowing what the picture was going to look like. It brought back so many fond memories of my little film camera from growing up.
When we got home and things had settled, I took it to Allen’s Camera in SLC to get it developed. I also ordered a set of prints with it (naturally.) My total was around $20 with the possibility of being less, depending on how many of my exposures turned out. Spoiler – it was less.
I got the scans sent over digitally in a dropbox and it was so exciting to sit and look through them. The only images that were viable were the ones taken at the coast. I imagine since it was the brightest part of our trip! I was a little bummed about the others not being savable, but am thrilled with the stills I did get! I love that the film was expired and gave off all sorts of light leaks and color distortion. It feels like we are being transported back in time. I can color correct them if I want in Lightroom, but honestly am going to leave them as is. I think it adds to the charm.
I’m thinking of making this a tradition whenever we go on a trip. It was so fun! You should do it too. It’s more of a hunt, but you can still buy or order disposable cameras and get them developed. If you’re in Utah there are a lot of places like the Find Lab or Allen’s Camera – which was where I went! Take a look through our photos! Jones did such a great job taking the ones of Danny and I. My favorite has got to be Jones running in the water and Fields holding up a shell. So cute. Which one is your favorite?
