Impact of photography on visual communication and society

¶ … Disposable Camera

Taking pictures of memorable events and people is a wonderful way capture a moment, and it is widely practiced around the world. Boxes and albums of pictures that take hours to thumb through line the living rooms and coffee tables of homes everywhere. However, pictures galore for all to share were not always quite as available to the average person. A series of inventions and developments in photography made this possible. Among the greatest of these inventions and developments in the history of photography is the disposable camera. I think the invention of the disposable camera made self photography affordable, easy, and versatile for the consumer and an explosion of sales for camera companies.

The invention of disposable cameras made photography affordable. Before disposable cameras, one would need to purchase a camera, buy the film, and pay for the developing. The disposable camera makes it possible for people to forego purchasing any photography equipment, which is often expensive, fragile, and sensitive, especially in untrained hands. A one time use camera is available for well under $10 each with only developing left to purchase. This is attractive to those who are unable to afford the equipment and film.

Not only is the equipment expensive and fragile, it is also often difficult to use. A camera needs proper maintenance to keep the equipment in the best order to produce the best images. From knowing how to focus on an image to properly inserting the film, not everyone is able to master the art of the camera. The disposable camera completely nullifies this problem. There is no expensive or difficult equipment to learn, deal with, or ruin. As a result of the ease of use of a disposable camera, the possible users are multiplied. The simplicity of use of a disposable camera makes it possible for even children to take pictures.

Since disposable cameras do not require equipment and film, they are much more versatile and portable than a regular camera. While on excursions or trips which may require physical exertion, running, jumping, or climbing, carrying around camera equipment may become a burden, physically and mentally. Having to carry around the equipment is difficult enough without the fear of losing or destroying it. A disposable camera is small and insignificant if lost, except for the photos taken. However, there is no loss of a camera as well. People can take disposable cameras places where they would not take a regular camera for fear of destroying the equipment for the very reason they want to document the experience.

Disposable cameras were taken a step further. The invention of underwater camera equipment made it possible to photograph vacation images as never before. At the birth of this invention, the equipment was expensive and mostly reserved for those with skill and money. However, camera companies quickly learned the benefits of producing disposable underwater cameras. Now, users have the option to capture a much wider variety of images without any additional skill or equipment.