New Photojojo iPhone App Brings Back the Disposable Camera

Photojojo’s cheeky app turns iPhones into disposable cameras you keep

By Les Shu April 6, 2015

Photojojo Disposable Camera App

A few new photo apps that mimic the disposable camera have come out recently. These apps let you shoot a finite number of images, without the ability to preview them afterward. Once you’re done shooting, they are sent for processing, and return as printed photos. And that’s the basis of Photojojo’s new Disposable Camera App, which just launched in the iTunes App Store.

When you launch the app, you get a virtual disposable camera with 27 shots. You have to complete the camera roll by shooting all 27 photos before you can start a new one. Afterward, the photos are automatically sent to Photojojo for printing, which are printed on 4 x 6 ultra-thick matte card stock paper with full bleed – thick enough to be sent as postcards. The printing process takes about 10 business days. Each roll costs $13 to develop, and you must pay for “a camera” upfront before shooting.

According to Photojojo, the purpose of creating the app is to “bring back all the good things about disposable cameras…with none of the bad parts.” We’re not exactly sure what the good things are, but it harks back to the analog days where photographers took the time to frame a shot, and disposable cameras are more spontaneous and fun to use because each shot is a surprise. Then again, smartphones have essentially usurped the place of disposable cameras, giving it a new definition to disposable photography. And without access to the digital version of those prints, how are we suppose to upload them to Instagram?

Photojojo’s app is available in the U.S. only, and it’s taking a wait-and-see approach for an Android version, depending on how popular the iOS version is. We’re sure some people will find the app genius, while others will think it’s a waste of time. Of course, the whole experience is meant to be fun, and not to be taken so seriously.

Unfortunately, there’s no one-hour service available. But you could always imitate the process yourself: just have the discipline to shoot without previewing or editing your photos afterward, and then send them electronically to a Walgreens-type store for fast prints.

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