Bordering on Crazy; Add Frames to Your Negatives Inside a Film Camera

Why do digital cameras get to have all of the fun? Take the Fujifilm X half, for example. Just a quick menu selection and you can rapidly change a filter effect for altering a photograph’s vibe. Conversely, a film camera is limited to the number of threaded filters that you have in your camera bag. Or, does the film camera have a trick up its sleeve that digital cameras can only dream about? Get ready for a strong dose of film camera envy.

Apart from a couple of instant print cameras, like the Kodak Mini Shot 3 Era camera which can add borders to photographs, most cameras don’t allow you to add in-camera frames or borders to your final print. Say, “hello” to a new fun way to add character frames/borders to your prints. It only took inspiration from Snoopy and his Beagle Scouts [Hint: Look under Woodstock’s Interests.] to show the way.

Open Sesame to Onboard Photo Frames

A chance encounter with a set of special Snoopy and His Friends filters on the Retrospekt web site provided the “A-Ha!” moment for creating this lavish photo trick. Originally intended as clip-on filters for inside film packs of instant cameras, these “filters” are perfect for adding frames or borders inside film cameras, too.

Basically, these frames are black ink line drawings penned onto a clear base. The virtue of the clear base enables these frames to be installed and subsequently printed on every negative of a roll of film. Here’s how it works:

While this trick works best on a medium format camera, you could theoretically apply it to a 35mm camera. Just be prepared to only use Woodstock for your frame rather than Snoopy and his entire entourage.

After you’ve selected your target camera, open the back of this camera, and temporarily lay one Snoopy frame over the light chamber inside the camera. This is where the magic happens. Line up the clear base frame so that it covers the entire light chamber. Remember, that the frame must be oriented upside down and backwards to print properly on the negative–that is, unless you want your frame to be printed upside down in the sky.

Trim the clear base to fit neatly over the film frame of the light chamber and tape it into place. Be sure to allow clearance for the film to transport smoothly across the light chamber without grabbing the taped-down frame.

Load a roll of film and head out to make some test exposures. As an aid to good composition, keep in mind the general orientation and location of your Snoopy photo frame. For example, Snoopy sitting at a campfire in the middle of lake could make the final photograph counterintuitive. 

Once installed inside a camera, every exposure on a roll of film will carry the loving mark of these beloved comic characters. So, plan ahead. Install a variety of different Snoopy frames inside several cameras. Oh, if Snoopy isn’t your passion, Retrospekt also sells a set of Hello Kitty filters.

Priced at $12 for a themed set of four filters, careful trimming and installation can equip at least four cameras with creative frames that will delight every photographer. Imagine the surprise of a young photographer who examines a processed roll of “framed” film and sees Snoopy or Hello Kitty joining in on all of the photo fun. Digital cameras may now have to apply a new “green with envy” filter.

Enjoy.

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