Going through airport security can be stressful and time consuming but if you carry one item in particular it can get a whole lot worse as you risk ruining it forever

A fresh wave of travellers are swapping high tech and digital devices for the nostalgic charm of disposable film cameras, creating spontaneous memories and old-school shots. However, this can all be lost by one mistake at the airport.

This summer, the trend for retro-style photos has taken off, with TikTok hashtags like #DisposableCamera and #DisposableCameraSummer garnering nearly 900,000 views combined. Meanwhile, Google searches for “disposable camera” have also reached 389,000 worldwide in just the past month.

TikTok creators have been sharing dreamy holiday photo dumps with the caption: “This is your sign to take a disposable camera on holiday this summer.” Think white sand beaches, film grain, and perfectly imperfect snapshots that feel straight out of the ’90s.

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It’s all about capturing the moment without the pressure of perfection. The unpredictable outcome of the photos, due to not being able to check how you look and delete, delete, delete, makes them genuine moments that capture honest emotions, spontaneity, and the story behind each shot.

But not every story ends well. One TikTok video came with a warning after a traveller’s excitement turned to heartbreak when her film was ruined after going through airport security scanners. Captioned, “crashing out but lesson learned”, the video was a painful admission that her 39 grainy memories were gone forever.

It’s likely that radiation from the high-powered X-ray scanners at airport security fogged or overexposed the undeveloped film, leaving it streaked, cloudy, or completely blank.

While disposable cameras offer effortlessly cool and authentic vintage photos, all-inclusive holiday provider Travel Republic (www.travelrepublic.co.uk) warns there are some crucial dos and don’ts to keep in mind when taking one on your travels. From dodging airport X-ray damage to mastering the lighting, making the most of your analogue shots takes more than just pressing the shutter.

3 common mistakes to avoid when using a disposable camera

Putting your camera through airport X-ray scanners

Disposable cameras loaded with film are sensitive to X-rays, and newer CT scanners at many airports can be even harsher on film. These scanners emit higher doses of radiation, which can penetrate the camera casing and react with the unprocessed film inside.

Frequent exposure, especially on multi-flight trips and checked baggage scanners (which emit stronger rays), can fog or degrade your images, leaving your holiday memories blurred before you even get home.

To help prevent this, the holiday experts at Travel Republic recommend: “Rather than carrying your disposable camera in checked baggage, have it easily accessible in your hand luggage. You can also request a hand inspection at airport security instead of putting the camera through the X-ray scanners. Lead-lined film bags can also help to shield your camera against X-ray exposure if needed.”

Shooting in the wrong lighting

Most disposable cameras have weak built-in flashes that only work well within a few metres. While bright daylight delivers crisp photos, it often leads to overexposure (images that appear washed out or unnaturally bright), especially with pale skin tones or reflective surfaces. On the flip side, indoor or nighttime shots without proper flash use often come out blurry, dim, or underexposed.

Expecting digital-quality images

Disposable cameras are simple by design. They often produce grainier photos with unpredictable colours and limited contrast, especially in low light, so don’t expect the sharpness and clarity of your smartphone or digital camera.

“To get the clearest images, stick to shooting in bright, natural daylight. If you decide to use the flash indoors or at night, get close to your subject when taking pictures to avoid blurred imagery. Avoiding strong backlighting will also help to stop the camera from confusing exposure and causing silhouettes,” says a Travel Republic expert.

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