The Disposable Camera Look: Examples of Images from Disposable Cameras in the Real World

What types of images can you get from a disposable camera?

We’ve all become so used to our iPhone and Android cameras that we’ve forgotten what film photos and disposable camera photos actually look like! The disposable camera look is unique thanks to its use of 35mm film, the fixed aperture and shutter, a plastic lens, and a super bright flash.

And even though a SLR 35mm or point and shoot film camera might also use 35mm film, there is definitely a distinct difference between those more traditional cameras a disposable.

Wide Angle Close-Ups

Disposable cameras have a 30mm f/10 lens which gives a pretty wide field of view. This is great for getting all of your friends in one photo or getting a wider angle of the event your at or the scenery. The only issue you have to worry about is the minimum focal length, which is about a meter. Holding your camera up and snapping a selfie might leave your a little out of focus.

Amazing Candids

Even though a disposable camera doesn’t have any filters or multiple lenses and zooms, they do have one advantage - SPEED! Disposable cameras are purely mechanical and as soon as you click the button the photo is taken. There’s no focus or adjustment delays like you see in taking pictures with a cell phone. It is honestly very hard to try to get an actual candid shot with an iPhone or Android camera.

With your camera wound and flash ready, you can call your friend’s name and snap the picture before they even know what happened.. The camera’s focus is set and it can get almost everything in focus. Disposable cameras are the best tools for genuine candids!

Action Shots

Disposable cameras come with a smaller aperture and a decently quick shutter, enough so that you can freeze some pretty great action shots! In order to get the best action shots, it always helps to use the flash. Just relying on ambient light might cause you to have some motion blur, but the flash will help you to freeze your subject at the moment you click the shutter.

Beautiful Nature Shots

Disposable cameras and the film inside love daylight and really thrive in sunlight. Add all that natural light with a beautiful mountain, rolling prairies, or colorful trees and you get some stunning images! The disposable camera set up allows for almost infinite focus, meaning that you can capture images of nature close up and far away.

The Best Party Pictures

Everyone loves a good party and disposable cameras add an element of fun and spontaneity that makes any party even better! Whether its a college party or wedding reception or a even a kids birthday party, guests come alive when someone breaks out a disposable camera.

Things to remember when using a Disposable Camera

If you want to get amazing images like the images above, you need to make sure you’ve got enough light. If you’re in a dark place, or inside, always use your flash! Even if you’re in the shade, use your flash to make sure you’ve got enough light to make a good image. A bar is definitely too dark to take a good picture without the flash. Concerts are ok if you’re taking pictures of friends that are close by, but trying to capture the performers on the stage won’t really work because there won’t be enough light.

Don’t forget that you have to wind your camera after taking a photo. Get in the habit of winding immediately after you click the shutter so that you’re ready for the next shot. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to take a picture only to discover that the film isn’t wound and the shutter isn’t ready.

Get The Best Images by Sending Your Disposable Camera to the Experts for Developing

There are a lot of great labs out there that can develop your disposable cameras, but we are the industry experts in developing disposable cameras at Shutter Junkies. We offer affordable prices, lots of scan and print options! Click the button below to order developing for your disposable cameras and then you can check out your own amazing images!