Five Things I Learned From Shooting With 'Crappy' Cameras

After years of shooting with various "crappy" cameras, I realized they're not always as bad as many would think.

Over 10 years ago, I decided to pick up photography as a hobby and an alternate creative outlet for days when I am overwhelmed with writing work. However, I didn't reach for the best digital camera that my limited budget could buy. I bought a medium format Holga camera, enamored with the fun, colorful, and retro aesthetic of the burgeoning analog revival. It fit the bill of a crappy camera to the T. It was a box made of cheap plastic, painted in gaudy candy colors, and it produced a lot of light leaks. It was a pain to shoot with from start to finish. I had never loaded a roll of 120 film in any camera before, and I wasted a few rolls while learning how to do it properly. I had to tape the nooks and crannies where light could leak inside the camera. I had to make sure the AA batteries were loaded inside the camera before loading the film if I had plans to use the flash later. Finally, I wasted a few more rolls while figuring out how to zone focus with this camera.

Of course, the first photos were crappy. The user experience was horrible. But that didn't stop me from adding one film camera after another to my collection, starting with a Nikon FE2 (a huge leap, I know). It didn't discourage me from shooting film. It only made me want to do it better.

Today, even as I dream of the next decent camera to get for paid and personal work, I still shoot with a bunch of cameras deemed crappy by today's standards. I couldn't resist the charm of Kodak's aptly named Charmera keychain camera. I still have my mom's digital compact camera from over a decade back. I'm also pleasantly surprised at the "modern vintage" trend that has gotten young ones searching high and low for a "digicam." The Olympus PEN Mini I bought secondhand years ago as a digital photo diary camera still sits on my desk. My crude, DIY dry box still houses dozens of film cameras to scratch my occasional film photography itch. Yes, I also kept that flashy Holga as a reminder of how everything began.

All these observations came to a head shortly after I wrote about Tatiana Hopper's reminder that your "bad" camera, more often than not, is the least of your worries. After all, some of the most iconic photos in history were made by cameras that are absolutely crappy next to today's latest and greatest. And yet, their impact, value, and appeal continue to endure.

So, I thought I'd share some worthwhile realizations I had from years of shooting with "crappy" cameras.

Manage Your Expectations

It's reasonable for these cameras to have that "crappy" reputation since they're mostly obsolete or too rudimentary, and thus can't produce pro results. Many of them, however, are still capable of acceptable photos on social media. Others also make great first cameras for beginners, or everyday cameras you can bring with you for some casual snapshots. So, when you manage your expectations about what these cameras are capable of, you save yourself from disappointment. Instead of focusing on the results they can't give, why not find out what you can make out of them?

This was precisely what got me shooting with a Holga in the first place. I already knew that it was going to be a challenging camera for a beginner. But I also learned that it's possible to make something interesting out of it, at the very least. To find out what I could make out of it, of course, I had to keep shooting with it, even if it meant wasting one roll after another. It was all part of the process. So was researching other photographers' results and what they did to get the best photos possible. All this allowed me to know the camera better as a creative tool and manage my expectations for the next time I picked it up. If you want to build that foundation deliberately, Photography 101 is a solid place to start.

Limitations < Experimentation

Once you know what your "crappy" camera's limitations are, it's time to make them work for you. Many studies found that limitations actually foster creativity by forcing the brain into lateral thinking mode to help overcome constraints. This is where experimentation proves useful.

So, if you have a camera like the Holga, which needs some taping up around the seams to prevent light leaks, try experimenting with light leaks next time. Or, if you have one of those old CCD sensor cameras, play around with their nostalgic, film-like aesthetic for retro-themed projects. I'm actually seeing a lot of younger photographers seeking out older DSLRs and point-and-shoot compacts precisely for this purpose.

Learn and Leverage Their "Quirks"

Many "crappy" cameras also come with functions and features that are no longer useful or acceptable for most modern photography applications. Early CCD sensors, for example, produce more vibrant colors but perform poorly in low light and high ISO situations, leading to noisy images. Other cameras come with experimental and even peculiar design features, like the swiveling screen of the Casio Exilim Tryx (which eventually pioneered selfies and odd-angle photography) and the built-in projector of the Nikon Coolpix S1100pj for viewing and other creative applications. Of course, film cameras are never short of "odd" members, with half-frame cameras, stereo cameras, and multi-lensed cameras aplenty.

Eventually, you'll discover that some of these quirks either create interesting results or make the photography experience more fun. Some features may even make conversation starters, like that built-in projector. Now, think about leveraging these to make your photography projects extra creative or unique. You're limited only by your imagination!

Let Them Surprise You

I think one of the biggest roadblocks to making something interesting, at the very least, with a "crappy" camera is that label itself. If you quickly dismiss it as incapable of making worthwhile results, you won't even bother picking one up. So, I say, let dad's old DSLR, grandpa's vintage film SLR, or even mom's simple digital point-and-shoot surprise you. Make a photo diary using one. Take it on your next road trip. Spend a day slowing down from your hectic schedule with it in hand instead of your smartphone. Whatever it is, give it a chance to surprise you.

Sometimes, It's More About What Their "Crappy" Photos Make You Feel

I know a lot of photographers who keep shooting with a "crappy" camera or two on the side, mostly for personal work. Many of them share the sentiments of younger creatives who pick up a disposable camera or digital point-and-shoots today: they like the nostalgic, retro aesthetic many consider more organic and emotional compared to the clean, clinical visuals of today's digital cameras. Others better appreciate the photos because of the process itself — slowing down, being more mindful with each shot (especially with film cameras), but also not being too pressured about the results. Letting the mind run free with experimentation opens up more opportunities to get extra creative. Eventually, it feels good enough to get reinforced as part of the photography practice.

This leads me to one of my most important realizations: it's less about the novelty of a "crappy" camera and more about how good the photos can make you feel. Lacking in technical qualities they may be, they can still be good enough to remind photographers how creative they can get. They make photography fun and allow photographers to play. But of course, the sentimental value of making photos with your first camera or a family member's old camera does play a big part of the experience.

Do any of these realizations resonate with you? Do you have any other reasons for still keeping and shooting with a "crappy" camera yourself? I'd love to hear about them in the comments!