S.R. Wild: Artist and Graphic Designer

I Love Photobooths

I take a shortcut through the local mall to save time or to warm up a bit on my frequent wanderings. The downside is it reeks of perfume, annoying Muzak plays, and it’s a mall! I loath malls; I find them depressing. Walking through there awhile ago, I found a photobooth tucked under the escalator. I’ve walked by it numerous times since. Last night, some friends and I passed it and I finally used it.

I wasn’t impressed with the quality of the photos. Sure, they’re printed on photo paper, but the photos were taken with a lo-res digital camera so they have a lot of noise. Like most things around here, you take what you can get. Regardless, it was the most fun I had all day and may possibly be the highlight of my week.

Photobooths, like good conversations, are hard to come by these days. Whenever I see one and I’m with someone I try to use it. I never do it alone because, like sex, it’s more fun with at least one other person. Finding a booth is a challenge; finding someone willing to join me is another challenge. Most people seem to be afraid of going into an intimate little booth with someone else. Of course, it could just be me. Wait, am I still talking about photobooths?

I remember hearing that photobooths were making a comeback. I hope they do. There’s a website (of course) dedicated to them: Photobooth.net. There’s a locator on the site that lists photobooth locations around the world (mostly in the US). They even rent vintage photobooths.

Let’s not forget about Amélie. Every time I see a photobooth I think of Nino on his hands and knees looking for discarded photos—I’ve never found any. I can sort of identify with Nino and his obsessive interests. I also identify with Amélie quite a bit, but that requires its own post. These are just two of the many reasons why I love that movie.

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