Head to Head: Staffers debate whether using physical disposable cameras or disposable camera apps are better

Disposable and Polaroid Cameras:

The Camp Wood sleepaway camp I stayed at for one week in the summer before seventh grade had one rule: no phones allowed.

As an almost-seventh-grader, not having my phone seemed like the end of the world — how would I take photos to look back at nature and my bunkmates? That was until my friends introduced me to the disposable camera, which takes anywhere from 27-36 photos that you can later get developed at local convenience stores like CVS. A $10-15 camera is worth it for priceless memories.

Along with bringing my two disposable cameras to capture my camp adventures, my trusty white Polaroid camera also played a part in taking cute vintage photos that I now have to keep or give to others for the memories. Having received the Polaroid camera in sixth grade along with a few packs of film, my camera is still in prime condition — even after four years. And with its limited film — eight to 10 photos per film package — the moments I do decide to capture are more authentic, knowing they were exciting and special enough to capture.

Having a real disposable or Polaroid camera has always been important to me rather than just clicking a button on my phone on the copy-cat apps that put a disposable filter on photos taken with your phone — like Dispo. Having the real, physical photographs makes the memories seem more tangibly alive and like they actually happened.

As I’m packing for my dance team nationals trip to Orlando and spring break in Mexico, I’m making sure to include my disposable camera loaded with film in my suitcase — in preparation to capture forever memories instead of erasable digital photos.

Disposable Camera Apps:

As my arm was extended in a typical selfie-taking position, the students around me at homecoming last year probably assumed that I was taking just another selfie with my Homecoming group. But instead of the Camera app, my screen was displaying YouTuber David Dobrick’s “Dispo” app.

Complete with an outline of a disposable camera lens to add the disposable aesthetic, Dispo is designed to capture photos with cell phones resembling the disposable camera effect, including features such as zoom, flash and a shared library that you can share with other users called a “roll.” Apps like Dispo are undeniably more affordable and versatile than real disposable cameras.

So why wouldn’t I just get a normal disposable camera from Target or Walmart for a more authentic look? Frankly, disposable cameras are expensive, and simply not worth the hype.

A standard disposable camera costs $20 to $30, with a range of 27 to 36 photos  depending on the brand. I take far more than 20 photos a month in my daily life, let alone on a vacation or a school dance. Just a few weeks ago at the Sweetheart Dance, I took 81 photos  — a disposable camera wouldn’t have made it even halfway through pictures in the Loose Park rose garden.

You shouldn’t have to stress about taking less photos than you want just because your disposable camera has limited storage. The night of Homecoming, I got to take as many photos as I wanted, with the same disposable aesthetic thanks to my app.

Apps like Dispo, Huji Cam and KOD Cam give free unlimited photos, leaving me with more money for more important things like my formal dress or souvenirs on vacation.

Additionally, in order to develop photos from a disposable camera you have to pay an extra $15 just to be able to own the photos that you took and already paid $20 for.

An additional $15 might not sound like a lot, but on top of developing the photos, you’re unnecessarily down $35-40 for photos.

The next time you go on a vacation with friends or attend a school dance, save yourself $40 while still capturing your memories — but digitally.