A Modern Challenge

The #ShittyCameraChallenge, is a fun little participation event that takes place every-so-often on social media. There isn’t really much more to it than using a camera that has been deemed “shitty” to make photos and to share your results using the hashtag.

The idea is mostly to have fun using cameras that would not be considered all that great and have fun doing so. In general, when you learn to work with (almost) any camera’s strengths, you can get decent results. And when you work outside of them, it’s often that you’ll get something delightful!

My first contribution to this session were photos made using my Kodak No. 2 Brownie Model D (made in Toronto c. 1914). While a load of fun, and the introduction to photography for countless millions, they were designed to be affordable (a dollar [~$25 in 2024] or two [~$50], if you wanted aperture control) and eat Kodak film. Much like the Ektralite 10 I received for Christmas in the early 1980s.

Having kept my mittens on to use the camera, I don’t think I made one frame without at least a little bit of camera shake. That’s all part of the adventure using a camera that will be turning 111 this year!