Attached Link: Original Thread

**Olivier proposes a challenge:** Buy a cheap one-use/disposable film camera. Use it to take photos in your city (36/24 views) choose the best five pics and scan them (or when they are developed have them burned to CD). Take these five photos and make a simple collage in a vertical format, on photo atop another on a white or black background. A one line border around each image is fine, but don't get into heavy postwork -- drop shadows, etc. (Kai has a good example in the old thread) In your comments talk about the photos you took and why...share a little of your process. Title your gallery entry: "**One-Use Challenge - (your name)**" Let's see what we can do with a very minimalist hardware. Full color or black and white is fine; what is important here is the eye of the photographer, not what camera or software they use. For those with no scanning capability or limited funds, it is okay to use a digital point and shoot camera. If you do so, please follow the honor system -- each participant take no more than 36 images in AUTO mode, and no other postwork besides B&W conversion and cropping -- and of course the collage. But for this challenge we would prefer that each participant uses a disposable film camera. When you post the collage in your gallery, send me a link and I will add it to the list below. People can discuss your entry in the comments beneath your images (so leave the comments on) and in this thread as well.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Links to participating member's images: 1. olivier158 2. Valerie-Ducom 3. mark.spooner 4. TwoPynts 5. TomDart 6. newleaf 7. auntietk 8. MrsLubner 9. mrsmark.spooner 10. L8RDAZE 11. Flannelman 12.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

well well :oD
thank you Kort for all your help :o) you are a great modo :OD

just one more word : 'Open your eye', forget the camera, just play and have a lot of fun !

Photography is a pleasure surrounded by a artistical approach of the life (i think lol).

Unleash yourself !!!! ;o)

seeya everybody :oD

Olivier

Thanks Olivier, tu as toujours de très bonnes idées / You have always so good ideas :)

i have many others :oP

As a "gallery post" we have enough room to make the collage work..glad I reread the instructions.   This should be interesting. 

Well, disposable bought, (27 exp), shots taken on my day trip out to Bath today (I have witnesses LOL!) I will try and get them developed and onto disk tomorrow so maybe, just maybe I will have mine up and in my gallery tomorrow night :scared:

Only if they're not completely useless, in which case .... good luck everyone!!! :lol:

Chrissy xx

"I don't suffer from insanity,
I enjoy every minute of it."
:lol:
CCCD Photography  CCC Dezynz

Chrissy, you are days ahead of me! LOL.     Tom.

Just picked up MINE....

Now to SEE if I have....THE POWER! HEHEH!

Joe

lol i'm happy you are all playing the game ! I've done my film, i will put to develop tomorrow, and i think i will post on tuesday :)

nice pic Joe !

Glad to see people participating. I haven't gotten any Site Mails about collages up in the gallery yet, but it is still early. Picked up my Kodak FunCam last night ($6) and will start taking photos soon. EDIT: Shot my film during a lunchtime walk Monday, now I just have to get it developed. LOL, I haven't put those words together in a sentence for a few years! ;']

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

So, convert to BW is ok?  Or simply desaturate?  All I found was color film, either ISO 400 or 800.    All excited to get the first shots, I pressed the shutter..nothing happened. Well, back to the store to exchange tomorrow.  Digital is quicker, LOL.

For matter of interest, the lens on the "generic" version I got appears about 30mm.   Just guessing here, but if they used the "sunny 16" to get exposure I might figure about 1/125 sec, 
F/ 8.0 at 400 ISO..I think this was correctly ineterpolated, maybe not.  This seems a fair assumption for a consumer disposable.
  
For those who do this, please let us know if the lens seems close to about 30mm or something else, judging from the viewfinder view.

My prized shots await a new disposable camera.  Just wait on these beauties!   Tom.

hello Tom,

yes it's ok for desaturate ! as a said in the very first post, level and contrast are ok -> but just to correct the scan of course !

yep i thnik mine was about 30mm 800iso with flash (but there was a prob with flash, it was flashing at each pic, so i put my finger on it lolllllllll) 
yes f8@400 or f11 or f16 @ 800

i stay tuned ;o)

seeya
Olivier

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/homepage.php?userid=464594

It will be apleasure to participate, but ca you mail me telling me when the contest end? because i´ll do a photographic takes teh next week and maybe this take around 1week and a half!!!

Thank you, great idea!!!

Hello Rausen,

imho, there is no really an 'end', everybody can do that whenever he wants !

there is no competition...

so, no problem for me !

Olivier

I have yet to exchange the unworking disposable cam for a new one and will do that tomorrow.  One benefit so far, with no images...I am looking at stuff as I drive to work and around town.  I look for light and composition that might work ok with an auto camera...fixed focus and fixed aperture and shutter speed.   That has stirred my eye for a deeper look into the subjects.

i'm happy to hear that Tom ! i hope this exercice will bring many good thing to all who participate :oD

good shooting !!!

3 entries so far, all very impressive. It is neat to see what you all are capable of doing with a very simple camera. Keep 'em coming!

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Got my shots back last night and posted my five best shots today.  I was suprised by them I must admit and I enjoyed going back to "basics" reminded me of when I first started with a little Halina compact my Mum and Dad bought me for Christmas in 1986. 

I just posted mine. Ack, not happy with the results at all. The shots I had the highest hopes for were to blurry to post, and non of the blurs even warranted Blurstraction status. ...sigh.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

cool Kort ! i go right now to see them :OD

Yikes...what are you folks?  Naturals or what?  I am impressed..with only 6 shots taken with my disposable we will see now what happens.  You have upped the ante.

Got the camera (Fujifilm QuickSnap) just got to find the time to get out and take them now.

Mine is up now...not so impressive. Ugh!

Well, I like the shots better the second look..now to tell one on me..I took the first camera back because it didn't work.  The lady said get another one, so I did.  Then, back at her counter, she simply said, "You have to wind it first"

I did not tell her any more.

LOL Tom, funny how not having a to wind a camera becomes second nature. But I bet by frame 10 you were winding it right after you clicked off your shot. ;'] I like your shots, I guess we are all hard on ourselves.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

The challenge is a reason to be "spectulative" about ourselves.   With all the bells and whistes gone..the essential controls..I really did not know how my "eye" would do on a fairly quick couple of days shooting.    I did learn some stuff and am more confident in my eye that before.

One thing..one of my better ones was relegated to the scrap pile.  The collage was posted and then revisited the scrap image.  Now, I like it better than some of the others!   You might scrap the obviously terrible ones but keep the rest around to visit again before making the final selection.    Getting past the "capture quality" of the little plastic lens cams is first, get past that  thought and work on what is there.    That is how I would do it a second time..LOL>

I am thinking of trying again with my son's toy "SPY" camera. It is about the same as a disposible..fixed lens and no focusing, so it would probably return similar results. Now I am curious...

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I may try again...we will see how time permits.

i'm really happy ! You guys got it ! just a feeling, no more technique. I'm curious to see more and more pic :oD

yep... wind ... and wind again :oP

Thank you for the comments made on my gallery posting. I must say I was pleasently surprised by the little camera. I didn't hold out much hope for it. However I think it performed very well for what it is. An Excellent challenge and one I enjoyed very much. It was not as frustrating as I first thought it might be, even Tesco Developing 'did well'.

Regards
Pat

newleaf has joined the bunch of brave ones..or ones with enough spare dollars to do it.  My cost overall was about $15 US with processing and burned to a CD with prints.

I am glad to see another join and and am again impressed with the "one use" camera shots.

Anyone else game for this timeless challenge?  You will be glad you did it...even if none of the rest of us ever know you did.   I suspect you will find 5 images to work with slightly and post.  One of my best was overlooked at the time and is not in my collage.  Give it a try! I found this challenge very worth it even if entered into with trepidiation.        Tom.

Yes indeed, memories of my very old Kodac 127 came flooding back. One thing I forgot to allow for was the difference in the view finder and the lens. Centering on the view finder is off to the side on the lens just that little bit as you can see from the  one here.  I look forward to seeing more and join Tom in encouraging others to' give it a go'. Tom do post the 'overlooked one' for us to see please

newleaf, here is that shot.  I liked it because of the "old" look of the image. This is certainly no fine photo but I do personally like it better than at least one of the collage images.  

The shot is looking into the sun, peeking through the trusses of the bridge. I was surprised the image was not more silhouette in character.
Note the lens flare.

(This was also posted a few days ago in the "Post Anything" thread, the longest continuous thread on Renderosity...a fun open thread and post anyting is exactly what it means.)

Okay you guys - I hope after all this chat about your disposable cameras, you remembered it was originally said "okay to use digital if you don't have a scanner!"  Well, my new supercomputer is awesome, but incomplete - no printer/scanner/nothing!  So I went out today with my digital camera, left it on "Auto" and took 24 shots.  No zoom, no macro, no nothing.  I have to confess, I usually leave it on "Auto" anyway, 'cause I really don't know very much about my camera yet!  (Konica/Minolta DiMage Z3)  Will you still let me play?  :)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

lol of course ! let us see your work :oD

T'anks!  :)  My collage is done, and ready to go. 

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

yihoooo ! let's see this !

Luv that bridge Tom and nice set autietk! BTW, I purchased a roll or Kodak Max 400 and am going to use my son's toy "spy" camera and take this challenge again. I am not even sure what speed film it is supposed to take and there is no flash, but this China special is just like a one-use camera except that you can change out the film. If anything, the one use camera seemed superior to this flimsy thing. The results should be ... interesting. :m_thoughtful:

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

You can see the difference a better lens makes...with auntietk entry...but still, point and shoot with no other help.  This is a nice entry.

Thanks, guys!  I had a really good time with this, and I loved seeing what everybody came up with!   (I know there are some folks still thinking - I'm hoping for lots more on this!)  The mental/creative challenge was what stretched me.  I take photos on "auto" all the time, so I didn't have to make any adjustments there - just had to remember to not use zoom or macro!  This was a great idea, Olivier!  I'm starting to feel confident enough with the camera that I can go out looking for specific things, rather than just wait until somebody wants to see something I happen to have taken a picture of.  :)  Hooray for Renderosity and all the inspiration and knowledge I've gained here!   (Does anybody know if there's a law against having this much fun?)

"If your pictures aren't good enough, you're not close enough."  ...  Robert Capa

There may be a law against so much fun..but I ignore it.   I feel the same way.

Actually, thinking more about it, in Auto mode, digital cameras do make some adjustments all by themselves. The disposable cameras have just one focus/exposure setting. Still, I am not sure how we would approximate it with a digital, any thoughts Olivier? Perhaps putting the camera in manual mode at f/8 @ 400ISO and set the focus to infinity?

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I am gurssing mine was close to f/5.6 or f/8 at about 1/125, with 400 ISO film.  If manual is on the digital, not a bad idea.

I think that they usually make these cameras ISO 400 as it is a good all round film for most conditions.

Here is one of my "misses" from the first batch. Desaturated and tonally balanced a bit, I was considering it for my gallery 1000th image, or for 1001, but decided it wasn't quite what I wanted. Figured I could post it here though. :) Still working on the my second "disposable" attempt.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

How is everyone coming? Almost done shooting Richard? Is anyone else going to submit photos?

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Kort, I do hope to see more.  This has been fun. I have not yet started on my seond run but will.

I just need to drop my cam off to get the pics processed

Yeah yeah...I tried the USB port (DOH!)

I found it easier to have the shots printed and get a CD for $2 more.  The CD meant I didn't have to scan the prints.

Attached Link: Mini 640x480 USB Keychain Digital Camera

Greetings,

Here is another inexpensive ($7.49 +S&H) alternative ...

Would this fit the conditions of the challange?  It's fixed focus, no
exposure adjustment, no zoom, ... and, best of all, cheap. 

Mini 640x480 Keychain Digital Camera

Miniature digital camera
640x480 (VGA) or 320x240 (CIF) image resolution
300K CMOS sensor
4 MB SDRAM memory
Holds approxmately 26 VGA (640x480 resolution) pictures
     or 99 CIF (320x240 resolution) pictures
USB interface
Pop-up viewfinder
Powered by one (1) AAA battery (included)
Integrated keychain
1.5 x 2.25 x 0.5 inches (H x W x D)

Just a thought ...

BTW, a battery powered webcam such as the Logitech Clicksmart 310
might also be appropriate. 

--
Martin

Humm,,,interesting thought.  I will wait and see what others think on this..being only a participant.  Who knows, the digital may take poorer images than the film shooters. : )  It does seem to me to fit the criteria of no control and fixed focus.

It is cheap enough considering film processing for my film one-use camera brought it all to more than $10.

I see that TomDart identified an important issue,

It is cheap enough considering film processing for my
film one-use camera brought it all to more than $10.

Very true ... I found that processing the images from the Konica
single-use camera that I purchased at a tag sale on Saturday 
would be $12 plus $8 for burning a CD-R.

--
Martin

Yes, Martin, I would say that camera fits the bill. BTW, Mrs. Lubner has joined the fray! ;']

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

And now Mrs. Spooner! What fun. ;'D

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Dargh!!!

I got me a Kodak ISO 800 39 exp cam at £10 (yes I got it from a tourist shop!)

The view finder is tiny and scratched and I'm finding myself cursing at the lack of zoom or focus ability but I'm excited to see what Jessops can make of the film once I had it in. I'm not going to postwork anything!
And I keep on looking at the back of the Red and Yellow casing and wishing a picture would pop up!

Really a good idea, keeps us appreciating digital!

Rights Come With Responsibilities VAMP'hotography Website VAMP'hotography Blog

Quote - Really a good idea, keeps us appreciating digital!

Isn't THAT the truth! Looking forward to seeing what you get. I have yet to finish my second roll with the "toy" camera.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

Here are the BEST I could get....no postwork!

Kingston Park (Near Princeton New  Jersey)

Lake full of ALGEA

Cape May Lighthouse

Near the Jetty Rocks

The rest of the pics..were either REALLY blurry or just not compositionally sound!  Some seemed like there was a fog on alot of them.  Also, the COLOR was very muted....not at all what I'm used to with my digital.

**Stuff I learned from this Exercise

**

• Remember to ADVANCE the FILM  (Missed ALOT of shots)
• stay to the 3 ft or more recommended range for the fixed focus lens
• Trying to PICTURE in my mind HOW a shot would turn out (YIKES!)
• SLOW DOWN
• know the limitations of the camera

Might give it another go....see if I can do better
Cool experience though!

Thx

Joe

Neat shots..now to imagine you had your normal cam and did postwork the images.  I happen to like #2 and #3 the best, a toss up on those. I am really glad to see your results.  The compo is the most meaningful thing I can see in this little special challenge. Agreed?  Your compo is just fine and quite good from my pov.      Tom.

Kodak Fun Flash
•  Kodak 800 ISO Film
•  27 exposures
•  Automatic super Flash with 5m coverage
•  Super sharp 2 element lens, 30 mm
•  Clear pictures as from 0.8m
•  Shutter Speed : 1/125
•  Large and easy to read frame counter
•  Sharpest lens
•  Automatic super flash
[ view larger image ] [ view larger 2-pack image ]

It really helps knowing what Exposure you're shooting at!!! And it's ISO 800, looks like it was made for low light photography!

Rights Come With Responsibilities VAMP'hotography Website VAMP'hotography Blog

Nice work Joe! I had to laugh at the things you learned. ME TOO! ;') The last two are my faves. Very dramatic lighthouse photo. Since you put the photos here, I will link to your section of the thread from the front page.

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

My bro-in-law gets married in October. There will be 10 to 15 tables at the reception. I am thinking of putting out perhaps 3 one-use cameras, to be shared by guests to capture "memories are made of this" photos.   (3 is the most I can afford and that is a stretch right now.)

The cams are to be returned to me.   It might be interesting to see what the regular folks do with these things.   If it is done and works out, I will report back on those image results sometime late October.  Who knows?

That's a very good idea! Doing an 'old school wedding'.

Rights Come With Responsibilities VAMP'hotography Website VAMP'hotography Blog

Super idea. Make sure they sign release forms. ;'P

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I wonder what TwoPynts was thinking when he suggested,

Make sure they sign release forms.

"Release forms" ... to use the cameras. 

I guess that could be dangerous. 

LOL

--
Martin

Is anyone surprised that the one-use thread is this long?   I am but am glad to see it. Doing the shots was a very worthwhile experience.    Tom.

What fun. I made some of the simple errors, like rewinding (yeah it got me to) and, I had some problems with horizontal/verticle allignment. Most shots had a bit of a lean. It was fun none the less. 
My thanx to those that took the challenge . Some interesting and creative photographs.
fm ;-)

FM, have you posted your shots?  Let us know.  Yes, this was a lot of fun and a bit testing of the eye.      Tom.

Hi Tom,
I posted today. I sent a link to twopynts (I think I linked right;-). The view finder on the one use was/is a challenge with bi-focals 8-)

I relate to the specs issues..with trifocals.  That is a problem even with my digital in manual focus unless my glasses are in the same spot each time.  I will wait to see the link and check it out.  Thanks.      Tom.

Very nice work FM! You are added to the list, thanks for joining in the 'fun!'

Kort Kramer - Kramer Kreations

I don't know about the rest of you but, the quality on the prints was much better than what I got off of the cd. Too bad they don't make a one use with a macro ;-)
don