My new obsession is a kid’s toy camera...

…that makes “instant” references.

Once again, I got influenced by a YouTube video.

I don’t usually get swayed by sponsored products (I’m a pecky buyer), but seeing this… this fascinating camera got me sold. For one, I knew it would help me in my creative endeavors (I know, artist excuse), and my love for photo journaling.

And this particular gadget would be doing both!

So it’d be like killing two birds with one— (wait, no, as a bird lady, I need a better idiom).

Take two: It’d be like feeding two birds with one scone. (Yes, that sounds much friendlier and…tastier.)

I’ve been going back to taking my own photos for reference, especially since AI generators/prompters have flooded the internet. Google search isn’t what it used to be, and it’s harder than ever to find legit, real-life photo references.

Natural, authentic images feel almost nonexistent now.

That’s just sad.

I also find myself scrolling through videos more — probably because film-making still requires the human-touch. Documentaries or daily life vlogs capture unscripted moments or natural poses that viewers might overlook, but to me are great reference material.

Some examples:

Most of these poses were actually based on people from food docu videos, you can see some characters (based on my IG followers OCs) wearing aprons.

These poses were from Kshows I watched. People in reality tv shows are very expressive and dramatic, they make fun subjects to draw XD

Which led me to a photography channel with a video that got me reaching for my wallet.

Feel free to watch it below or skip it if you have a tendency to impulse-buy (trust me, I understand)

A kid’s camera can WHAT?

Aside from adding that same camera immediately to my niece’s present list (her birthday’s this month), my artistic soul (or rather, my kidult instincts) demanded that I try it out too!

This camera… is the perfect value hunter.

The print quality is not that great because it uses thermal printer... but I honestly don’t mind!

I mean it — this instant camera captures grayscale compositions so well, which is useful as reference for my future e-ink drawings that only deals with black & white.

You’re probably thinking,

“Couldn’t you just use your phone camera and apply a grayscale filter?”

Welllll, if you think about it, where’s the fun in that? I enjoy the unpredictability and limitations of instant cameras. And there’s something about instant photos with their distinctive contrasts and tones that are difficult to replicate digitally. Plus, I’m trying not to use my phone too much.

I don’t know… Lately, I find myself drawn to more analog-like tools, maybe because I miss the authenticity and imperfections of art.

These instant photos feels more personal and meaningful. Seeing my moments captured in simple black & white lets me appreciate them as they are, without the distractions of overwhelming colors.

Just two values alone creating harmony.

I think it’s important for artists to see the world in black & white — not figuratively — let’s not get too poetic here! but in terms of understanding light and shadow. It’s simply good practice to get a sense of how contrast and composition works, and photography helps that.

I even went as far as getting a mini “album” for all the photos I took. Perhaps one day, I can look back and be amused by all the small moments I captured, like reading an old diary entry.

It’s cheap, cute, and compact. And, like the YouTuber in the video mentioned, you can take photos of anything without strangers giving you suspicious looks. Because let’s face it, no one takes a kid’s toy seriously.

But hey, despite the look, you can take some seriously good photos with it.

If you don’t like the “kiddish” silicone cover, you can remove it. But I kept mine!