Another Gen Z revival trend, film photography, has emerged in an effort to cling to 90s nostalgia. The shots on your disposable camera are completely fuzzy after you take 28 pictures and wait days for them to be developed, rendering half of your roll worthless. Or does this contribute to the effect?
Not to mention the expensive price tag that comes with this process. Is it truly worth it to invest in a range of disposable cameras or spend more money on a reusable point-and-shoot camera that uses rolls of film (a separate purchase in and of itself, these rolls cost up to $20!), in addition to paying to have your photos developed?
Numerous apps are available that offer to convert your photos into vintage, film-like images without requiring you to fork over extra cash or wait weeks for the result. Here are my three favorite film photography apps!
- Dazz Cam
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Dazz Cam is extremely trendy and is probably the best your phone can do to mimic disposable cameras! Influencers on TikTok frequently suggest this software, with the “Inst C” camera—which is included with the program for free—being the clear favorite. The effect, which adds a nostalgic tint and would undoubtedly look excellent on Instagram, is subtle yet effective.
With Dazz Cam, you can take photos directly from the app. The program automatically applies a retro-style filter to your photos, but you can change the details by including light leaks or additional grain. You can also choose specific photos you want from your camera roll and upload them to the app!
However, to have access to unlimited camera filters and accessories, you must purchase a subscription fee of $4.99/year or a one-time purchase for $12.99.
- NOMO Cam
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For those who enjoy the art of shooting pictures, NOMO Cam is the ideal app. This app was designed to assist casual photographers to focus on the creation process of photography rather than post-production retouching.
Now that I have downloaded the app from the App Store, I can’t stop taking images with it. I can state with confidence that NOMO Cam is one of the most distinctive and exciting camera programs I have ever used and I’m not even exaggerating after trying some of the great new camera apps!
The default “INS W” camera simulates a vintage Instax Mini camera when taking a photo. The viewfinder is in the center of the screen and all the buttons are located below it. The software also provides some really great sound effects for the flash coming on and the shutter clicking to complete the experience. Even the sound of the polaroid film leaving the camera can be heard.
The software is currently free to download from the Play Store or the App Store. The “NOMO Pro” subscription ($24.99/year), which unlocks all the cameras in the shop and grants you access to additional “pro” features of the app, is available if you wish to fully experience the app!
- OldRoll – Vintage Film Camera
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OldRoll provides the most authentic experience of using a real disposable or film camera.
From instant cameras to fisheyes to super 8mm video cameras, the app has a variety of vintage camera selections for you that have been cherished by professional photographers. Each camera has been reliably recreated down to the last detail, including color, hue, grain, texture, and occasionally a few light leaks for you to discover.
To give you a taste of the beauty of vintage cameras, the app provides half-frame cameras, fish-eye cameras, Kira cameras with sparkling glitter effects and brilliant stars, double-exposure cameras, as well as random photo frames. You don’t need to alter or retouch the picture because it’s not a photo editor or a video editor. It is simple to publish photos with a square film frame and a retro glitch effect on social networking sites like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and Youtube, among others. Additionally, they contain fully editable, unique date stamp watermarks that you may add to the image.
To get unlimited access to this app, there is a subscription fee of $2.99/month or $9.99/year.