The last time that I printed photographs on a regular basis was in high school. I had a small black camera with a strap I’d made from a beaded necklace. I’d load it with whatever film I could find in my parents’ pantry and my friends and I would take pictures of our various adventures, or lack thereof. These were pictures of people, not things. When we’d shot the last exposure, we’d pile into a car and bring the evidence to our local pharmacy to get printed. We always got doubles.
In a stroke of luck, I was born a good five years before I needed to worry (mostly) about these photos appearing suddenly on social media streams. I’m grateful that the pouty faces and the prom dates are tucked safely into shoe boxes beneath beds around my hometown and not popping onto my instagram stream. It’s not that I don’t like social media—or memories—it’s just that I don’t think my 16-year old self had the discretion that my 29-year old self has.
What I do miss about those photo-printing days is the tangible element. The photos tucked into the inside of lockers or the edge of a mirror. I take ten times the number of photos now that I did then, but I print them almost never. Printic* is a photo printing app that helps make printing possible, quickly. Maybe best of all, they send them off in pretty orange envelopes to recipients of your choice. Photos by post; I like the sound of that.
*Printic generously provided me with the credits to print these images. Words and images are my own; see more here.
13 Comments
Well said. I worry about my young sister who is currently in the throngs of adolescence and definitely posting photos she will, undoubtedly regret. We were born at just the right time it seems!
Photos by post sounds just right. And, I'm with you on the timing of social media…
Ah, I know what you mean. I have PHYSICAL PHOTO ALBUMS of high school memories. It's amazing 😉 Printic seems like a fab service. I'd love to try it someday soon.
I totally agree with missing the tangible element. Holding the picture in my hands it's a whole different feeling than just seeing it on a screen. I think that's the main reason why I still take film pictures.
Those printed pictures look really great. I might have to try Printic.
what a cool idea — I'll have to look into this since I have about 2-3 years worth of pictures I need to print out! xo
http://allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com/
While digital photos are always nice, there's nothing like having the actual photo in your hand. I'm so glad I grew up in an era before social media. The amount of silly photos people feel the need to share on the internet is sometimes insane. Especially if they're scanning them and then trying to tag you in a redic photo from 11+ years ago. I guess sometimes adults don't even know better (which is kinda scary). I'm looking forward to downloading this app! I love that they come in a pretty orange envelope!
xo
Rachel
sounds cool, but 99cents a print is a bit steep when you can get photos for 15cents in other locations on the web…
Such a good point about pouty faces and prom! Phew, dodged a bullet there. I can't remember the last time I actually held photos in my hand. Now you've got me inspired!
I 100% agree. I'm 24 and didn't get Facebook until college – I teach high school girls and I feel so bad for how much pressure all these photo sites put on their appearances. I feel like I never got that in HS. We had digital cameras but no place to share the pictures! Thank. God.
One advantage to the film/print days is you couldn't erase photos on a whim. Most of the photos I erase are out of focus or not good, but some are "unflattering" ones of myself. When I was 13 I had a photo of myself I just hated and hid it away in a book, which I found 15 years later. Now it's my fav photo from that time, even though it is blurry and not flattering per-se.
These are really cute and fun! I'd love to cover a whole wall in Instagram photos printed this way.
So so so cool! I have yet to print anything, and don't even really know where to start – but this helps steer me in the right direction
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