Instax Fun in Jozi

2Summers | 14 December 2015
johannesburg

I got a FujiFilm Instax Wide camera recently, as part of a campaign I’m doing with Venus Snap. Using technology made famous by Polaroid way back in the 20th century, Instax cameras shoot pictures that pop right out of the camera and emerge from the photo paper in 90 seconds. The Instax wide camera is particularly cool because it prints pictures twice as wide as the original Instax. The Instax Wide also offers a little more control over its exposure settings.

When I ordered the Instax Wide, I had visions of traipsing around town taking fantastic instant photos and portraits of people. Those visions were a bit optimistic, as it turns out; the Instax Wide is finicky and I find it difficult to capture sharp, well framed shots. And at R18 (more than $1) per print, my failed attempts are pricey.

Nonetheless, I’m having a lot of fun experimenting with the Instax Wide. I especially enjoy taking Instax pictures of my friends, giving them the pictures, and then taking a picture of them holding their picture, in various configurations. Here are some examples.

Fiver-Instax
This is Fiver, holding her Instax portrait along with her newly published book,Looking for AfricaWe had so much fun setting up this shot. And by the way, Fiver’s book – an account of her Land Rover journey across Africa – is excellent and it’s now available in Joburg. You can buy it at the Sheds @1Fox and Love Books, and also on Amazon. I’ll have more to say about in a future post. (Read more about the book on Fiver’s website.)
Dudu-Instax
I took this photo of Dudu, AKA @dayphotolife, during a photowalk around Newtown a couple of weeks ago. The graffiti behind him is by a Joburg-based artist called Tyke.
Timmee-Instax
An Instax of my friend Timmee, taken on the same photowalk. Graffiti by Myza.
Timmee-Heather-selfie
A picture-in-picture-in-picture selfie of Timme and me, with a glimpse of pink-haired Kate in the background.
Heather-Instax
An Instax of me from the same walk, shot by Timmee. I like the haziness and it shows off my new makeover.
Roman-Krista-Instax
My friend Krista and her friend Roman, who was visiting from Germany last week. I took Krista and Roman on a walk through town and we discovered a really cool café/bar/community space called Boundless City. Boundless City is hidden on the first floor of a building on the edge of Gandhi Square and has great murals painted on the walls.
Ray-and-Venus
This is my boyfriend Ray holding my Venus Snap razor. Because Venus is the sponsor of this post and because Ray, like me, loves the Snap. (He appreciates smooth legs as much as the next guy.)
Ray-Instax-and-Venus
Another shot for scale.

And now it’s time for the plug. Just a reminder that Venus Snap is running a contest and you can win a shopping spree worth R20k. Here’s how to enter:

  • Buy a Venus Snap razor.
  • Snap a flat lay image including your Venus Snap. (See examples here.)
  • Upload it to Instagram and use the hashtag #VenusOnTheGo.
  • Read the competition terms and conditions on the GilletteSA Facebook page. (Note the contest is for South Africans only.)

This will be my last Venus post for a while. The next (and final) post will be to announce the winner of the competition, which I will be helping to judge. In the meantime, get those entries in before 31 January.

This post is sponsored by Venus Snap. Opinions expressed are mine.