A Capsule Of My Youth: The Disposable Camera That Ignited My Photography Journey
Grade 11, 2014
In the cluttered aisles of a local Goodwill store, amidst discarded relics and forgotten treasures, I stumbled upon a modest yet intriguing find that would alter the trajectory of my life forever. A plastic, expired disposable camera hung in a musty plastic grab bag for a mere $2.99.
Tucked away among the odds and ends, its simplicity intrigued me—the promise of capturing memories with a device seemingly forgotten by time. With no knowledge of how to operate this little treasure, I blindly purchased it, fuelled by the hope that somehow it would work and that I could manage to get the film developed. Little did I know, this discovery would ignite a flame within me—a passion for analog photography that would shape my artistic journey in ways I never imagined.
The Beginning, 2014
The first image taken on the roll, waiting for the bus after leaving Goodwill.
Grade 11 marked a pivotal period of exploration and self-discovery. It was a time when rebellion took on new meanings—a phase essential to the journey of youth towards self-realization. For me, rebellion wasn't about defiance or breaking rules; it was about embracing life's adventures with uninhibited enthusiasm. It was dropping a dime into the bus meter to embark on long-forgotten journeys, sipping wine from a crazy straw, sneaking cigarettes, and even daring to get a septum piercing (courtesy of New Tribe, above the Warehouse on Queen Street, of course). Armed with my newfound disposable companion, capturing these precious moments felt like the most natural next step. With nothing but curiosity and the drive to create despite financial constraints (working for $10.60 an hour at a grocery store), I eagerly embarked on my photographic odyssey with my trusty companion. Despite its expired film and limited capabilities, I found beauty in its mystery and inevitable imperfections.
Photography, to me, has never been about expensive gear or flashy gadgets. It's about harnessing the power of imagination and resourcefulness to create something meaningful out of nothing. In those early days, technical aspects like composing a photograph or understanding film stocks were foreign concepts. Yet, none of that mattered. What mattered was the moment—the raw, unfiltered emotion captured in a single frame. Photography was simply about freezing time, about capturing the feeling that surged through me in those fleeting moments. My goal wasn't to adhere to rules or standards; it was to convey an essence—to evoke the same sense of wonder, joy, or unknowing that I felt when I pressed the flimsy plastic shutter button. Through this process, I discovered that the true beauty of photography lies not in technical perfection but in its ability to evoke emotion and stir the soul.
Flipping through the faded snapshots I'm reminded of the raw authenticity and unbridled creativity of youth. Each image serves as a time capsule, preserving fleeting moments and memories that would have otherwise been lost to the sands of time.
Fast forward to the present day, my journey into photography has evolved into a full-fledged career—a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. While I've traded in my disposable camera for more reliable equipment, I've never lost sight of the lessons learned and the spirit of innovation that fueled my humble beginnings. I still approach all of my projects with the rugged do-it-yourself spirit I learned from the beginning, still chasing after that untangible feeling.
Reflecting on that chance discovery at Goodwill to where I stand today fills me with gratitude for the simple moments that ignited my passion for photography. What began as an experiment with a $2.99 find has evolved into a lifelong devotion to analog photography—an art form that continues to inspire and challenge me. Here's to embracing imperfection, pursuing the inexplicable feeling captured in every frame, and cherishing the path that led me here. The disposable camera may have been fleeting, but its impact on my life and artistry is enduring—a reminder of the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to follow their passions.
2014, I should have listened to my mom about the piercing.
