Live Life Like an Instant Camera

Using digital camera on auto mode doesn’t allow us to fully understand the potential of the camera we have at hand. On auto mode, cameras automatically adjust its aperture, shutter speed and focus. In life, if we don’t intentionally live and be present, we lose focus and we don’t get the chance to fully enjoy it. Sometimes, when we become too busy with our lives, we go on this automated mode and forget to connect with our surroundings and ourselves at a deeper level. We become almost robotic and then question what we are doing with our lives.

Digital cameras used on manual or auto also allow us to take limitless amount of photos. An instant camera can do that too but it would mean having to use up the film and get the same shots taken of the same composition. There is nothing wrong with that but do we really use instant cameras for that? The answer is no, we try to take each photo differently changing the pose and angle so as to make the most use of it. It is because we want to capture the moment differently each time so as not to waste the film (If you can’t relate, it’s when you and your besties want instax photos but don’t want the exact same pose on all said number of instax photos). So, why don’t we do the same with our lives? Living each moment and capturing the memories more intentionally in the sense that we are fully engaged mentally and physically.

One could argue that the same can be achieved with digital cameras. I believe it can be too but only once you have mastered the manual settings on a digital camera. Let’s be honest though, a lot of us would skip mastering the manual option and use auto mode for most of our pictures. Again, nothing wrong with that but don’t you want to use the full capacity of your camera? With instant cameras, we are encouraged to learn the various settings/modes to achieve the desired outcome because the default setting on it doesn’t really work like the auto on a digital camera.

With Instant cameras, there are no test pictures. What you shoot is what you get. You can’t edit or filter it. If a photo doesn’t turn out the way we want it, we accept it the way it is and just be grateful that we have a photo at all. Plus, we instantly get a tangible photo that we can keep and share with others.

So if it wasn’t obvious enough, this isn’t about a digital camera vs. an instant camera. This is to say that whether you choose to use a digital camera or an instant camera, live life like an instant camera in the sense that be present in your day to day life and enjoy the moments that really matter.

Yes, sometimes we can’t help get busy and we fall back to our robotic (auto) routine (mode). However, we have to remember to step back and be more intentional of the moments or with the people we are interacting with, and therefore creating meaningful memories.

Taken from Haffa House Hotel Muscat somewhere between late ‘90s and early 2000s.

P.S: Hey Guys!

You made it to the end. So, it took me a while to post this one up. I had this analogy idea that needed to be articulated which I hope I did. If not, I hope you enjoyed the Polaroid pictures and no, this isn’t an instant camera promotion (You know who you are :P lol). If you had to take anything away from this post, it is to live intentionally and with purpose. It’s okay if you don’t know your purpose yet, most of us are still discovering that. Just be present, be here in this moment. :)

Okay kids, that’s enough of philosophy for today. Cheers and be safe.