Exploring wild edges with the instax WIDE Evo

Photography has always been a portal into adventure, a way to distil fleeting moments into something tangible. The instax WIDE Evo bridges nostalgia with modern creativity. Offering instant film prints that hold the essence of what it feels like to be immersed in the moment of an experience. Creating on this camera for instax in subzero conditions from Tromsø to Iceland revealed just how liberating it is for storytelling in the wild.

Why the instax WIDE Evo is a sweet tool for adventure photography

Embarking on adventures demands a camera that can keep pace with the unpredictable beauty of the wild. The instax WIDE Evo paves a new path. Throwing down a challenge to your creativity, offering a harmonious hybrid blend of analog charm and digital innovation. Its wide-angle lens ensures expansive captures, perfect for sweeping landscapes and group shots. With 10 lens effects and 10 film effects, totalling 100 creative combinations, the instax WIDE Evo empowers photographers to artistically interpret each scene. The Degree Control Dial allows for nuanced adjustments, enabling subtle or dramatic enhancements to images.

Additionally, the camera’s compact and lightweight design makes it an ideal travel companion. Especially for those who venture into nature’s most captivating corners. And that is exactly what I did, when instax asked me to head out into nature to create with the instax WIDE Evo. There was only one compass direct for me. I was excited and intrigued to see how the camera would perform. Particularly, at the edges of light during polar night in Tromsø. As well as the Lyngen Alps of North Norway! Here are some of the things I adored most about shooting with it…

Make memories tangible

There is something magical about holding an instant film photograph in hand moments after capturing it. The instax WIDE Evo transforms an adventure into something immediate. Creating keepsakes that can be pinned up, gifted, or carried as reminders of journeys past.

Encourages slowing down and being present

Shooting with instant film is always something that encourages a different way of seeing. Every shot becomes more intentional, slowing the process and deepening the connection to the landscape. In Tromsø’s polar night, each press of the shutter became a considered act. Soaking in the stillness of Arctic reindeer and the rhythm of the sea. With the instax WIDE Evo, technology has met this sacred analogue process. Meaning you can choose to print film instantly by winding the dial. Or you can shoot in the moment and choose your images to print later on. 

Nostalgia meets modern creativity

The instax WIDE Evo blends the magic of instant film with digital flexibility. With multiple creative filters built into the camera, it’s easy to experiment in the moment. Whether shooting ice formations in Iceland or layering textures of ice dams that banked up along frozen rivers. I was waiting for the moment a pod of orca surfaced from the depths of the sea. An exercise in creative play, amplifying the beauty of nature.

Compact and lightweight for wild edges

Adventure photography often requires balancing quality with portability. The instax WIDE Evo is lightweight and compact, making it the perfect travel companion for nature-immersed adventures. Whether trekking through Arctic wilderness or navigating icy landscapes, its size made it easy to carry without compromising on creative potential.

Seeing the world in details with macro mode

Macro mode on the instax WIDE Evo unveils the intricate beauty of ice, water, and texture. In Reykjavik, where an extreme cold snap froze Tjörnin lake solid, I was able to venture out onto the ice. Capturing bubbles suspended in time on instant film. Revealing a hidden world within the ice. The ability to frame these delicate, transient details felt like uncovering stories woven into the landscape itself.

Experimentation is encouraged

Polar night in Tromsø created a playground for experimentation. Slower shutter speeds painted ethereal light trails through birch forests, and intentional camera movement created dreamlike effects. The instax WIDE Evo allows for in-camera effects, with a twist of a dial. Bringing a new dimension to instant film storytelling, merging traditional and experimental techniques.

Final thoughts: redefining adventure photography with instant film

The instax WIDE Evo is more than just a camera; it’s a tool for connection, creativity, and storytelling. From the frozen polar night of Arctic Norway to Iceland’s wild winter landscapes, I captured instant film images. As well as, the feeling of being present in these wild spaces. For those seeking a camera that slows the pace, enhances creativity, and brings moments to life instantly, this is a go-to adventure essential.

Behind the scenes of the adventure with the instax WIDE Evo

Ready to add instant film creativity to your travels?

Bringing the instax WIDE Evo on these journeys illuminated how powerful instant film and photography can be. In doing so, it has reignited my passion for it. Whether capturing awe-inspiring encounters with wildlife, vast landscapes or tiny frozen details, it reshapes the way adventure photography is approached. 

Transparency note: This project was a paid partnership with instax, who commissioned this adventure AND INSTAGRAM CONTENT ONLY. They were clear that I had spaciousness for complete creative and thought freedom to bring the experience together and reflect authentically on creating with the instax WIDE Evo. THIS BLOG POST WAS NOT PART OF THE COMMISSION AND REFLECTS MY OWN THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCE AND HASN’t been edited or directed by instax.