Phone cameras have undergone significant advancements, emphasizing image processing and offering users more control over their photographs. Yet, amidst this digital evolution, there remains a fondness for the vintage charm of old-school photography. Alex Fox, the developer behind Mood.camera, sought to tap into this nostalgia with his iOS app.
Mood.camera lets users switch between various retro filters to capture photos, offering adjustable quality and tone through a dial interface. While these features may sound familiar, what sets Mood.camera apart is its absence of a live preview during the photo-taking process, resulting in intriguing outcomes once the photo is “developed.”
According to Fox, the decision to omit a live preview was deliberate. He aimed to shift users’ focus from effects to the image in the viewfinder, akin to the experience with traditional cameras. In line with this philosophy, the app lacks editing capabilities and does not support importing photos from the gallery for retro filtering.
Reflecting on the evolution of photography since the introduction of the Polaroid camera, Fox expressed a desire to revive the enchantment of capturing moments in the present rather than obsessing over filters or editing. He initiated development on the app prototype in October 2023 and subsequently released a beta version on Reddit earlier this year.
Through collaboration with a group of photographers over the past two months, Fox refined the app based on feedback from over 100,000 photos taken. Mood.camera offers a free seven-day trial, followed by a subscription model of $1.99 per month or a one-time fee of $14.99.
In recent years, apps like Lapse, Dispo, and Later Cam have endeavored to emulate aspects of retro cameras by imposing limitations on functionality. While ventures such as Lapse and Dispo attracted investor interest, their growth eventually plateaued. However, for independent developers like Fox, the goal is not necessarily a venture-backed success but rather sustainable income and enduring appeal for their app.
