Image: The Last Camera Project Photography can feel like an isolating activity, so it's exciting when opportunities come around to feel like part of a bigger community. Such is the case with The Last Camera Project (TLCP), a community art project.
TLCP was conceived by Lucas Buick and Ryan Dorshorst, the founders of the original retro camera app, Hipstamatic. The project invites people to create a single image, culminating in a show at Art Basil Miami and a book.
TLCP puts a digital spin on the concept of sending around a single disposable film camera, with each person taking one frame. "The idea is simple," says Buick. "If I handed you a disposable camera and said, 'Take One Photo. Then Pass it along to someone else,' what would happen?" Of course, sending a physical camera around wouldn't work very well for many reasons. So Buick and Dorshorst created a camera app that allows participation anywhere in the world.
Screenshots: The Last Camera Project
The app has some guardrails that help recreate the disposable film camera experience. It's styled to look like a disposable camera (minus the simulated display, of course). Like a film camera, participants can't review or edit their photo before submitting it. You get one chance to "Take one photo that represents you, your moment, your story. " Your photo will save metadata, including location, timestamp, frame number and personal details that you add.
When you download the app, you can enter an invite code or join the waitlist.
Screenshot: Dale Baskin
The project is invite-only, but you can download the app (if you have an iPhone, as it's iOS only) and join the waitlist if you don't have an invite. Once you take your photo, you can invite up to six people to join the project.
Buick says there are currently 4K people on the waitlist, 10K people inside the project and 1200 photos contributed so far from over 50 different countries. The app displays a timeline with the people whose numbers have been activated and whether they've taken a photo, so you can keep tabs on the progress.
All of the images taken will remain a secret until the big reveal at Art Basel Miami in December 2025. The photographs will also be compiled in a book of the project.
You can download the app and sign up for the waitlist via the App Store, or check out more details about the project at the TLCP website and on Instagram.
. dpreview.com2025-7-19 20:35
