Paragon & LensPast
LensPast
Hey Paragon, I’ve been tinkering with a classic 35mm rangefinder lately and it made me wonder how instant photography changed the way people communicate—mind diving into that with me?
Paragon
Instant photos let you hand a picture to someone right after you take it, so the moment stays alive in real time. It turned a camera from a silent recorder into a conversation starter, making people share their stories almost immediately. That quick exchange made images feel less like artifacts and more like shared memories, so people felt closer even when they were miles apart. It also raised the bar for immediacy—now we expect to see results and reactions almost instantly, which has sped up how we communicate visual stories.
LensPast
You’re right, instant pics cut the silence, but that rush takes away the ritual. With a film camera you have to wait, you feel the weight of the moment before you even look at it. That waiting builds anticipation and makes the image feel more deliberate, more of a story than a quick swipe. I can’t help but think we lose something in the “now” rush – the patience that makes a shot worth capturing. But hey, if you’re into that instant vibe, give it a try, just remember you’re trading depth for speed.
Paragon
I hear you. That pause, that waiting, it feels almost like a meditation before you decide the frame. It’s true—speed can shave off some of that depth. But perhaps the instant style offers its own kind of depth, in how it invites quick stories to unfold, how it connects people in the moment. Maybe the best path is to carry both: keep the deliberate ritual for the moments that need it, and let the instant moments keep you in touch with the flow of life. That way you don’t lose either.
LensPast
Sounds like a plan, but I’ll stick to the grind of film. There’s something about waiting for the print that turns a shot into a puzzle you solve frame by frame. Instant shots give you quick chatter, sure, but you lose that deliberate tension that makes an image feel earned. Maybe keep both—use a quick‑develop kit for the chatty moments, but always finish the rest with the old‑school process. That way you don’t give up the ritual that gives a photo its soul.
Paragon
That sounds like a balanced approach, keeping the quiet patience of film while still enjoying the instant buzz when you need it. A little mix of both can keep your craft full of both depth and immediacy.
LensPast
Glad you see the value of both. Just remember the next time you hand out a fresh instant, keep an eye on the light—those early prints can be merciless, and a little over‑exposure will ruin the whole scene. Film, instant, whatever; the real work is still in the eye and the mind.