Psychedelic Blues Psych Blues #3 - Film Review

Psychedelic Blue No. 3 Single Use Disposable Camera

The Psychedelic Blue No. 3 Single Use Disposable Camera is a Fuji-style disposable camera loaded with a special-effect Kodak 400 ISO color negative film that is altered using a custom, hand-built process. Psychedelic Blue No. 3 is a reworked version of the very first special-effect film originally offered, and while its overall look may feel familiar in places, the process behind it is completely different. The goal with No. 3 was to create a film that produces more variation, more surprises, and more visual interest from roll to roll.

While the camera itself functions like a standard disposable – with a fixed exposure for daylight, a fixed-focus plastic lens, and a built-in flash – the film inside is anything but standard. Psychedelic Blue No. 3 is intentionally experimental, designed to introduce bold color shifts and unpredictable light effects that push far beyond the look of a traditional disposable camera.

Visually, Psychedelic Blue No. 3 can produce streaks, orbs, and washes of red, blue, purple, pink, and orange light throughout the roll. In some frames, these colors appear as subtle accents or edge effects, while in others they may dominate the image entirely. Compared to later versions like No. 5, No. 3 often feels more raw and volatile, with stronger color intrusions and a wider range of outcomes from frame to frame. This unpredictability is intentional and central to the character of the film.

Because the process is designed to evolve, Psychedelic Blue No. 3 can vary noticeably between batches. The film was built to encourage variation rather than consistency, meaning no two rolls – and sometimes no two frames – will look the same. Some images may feel dreamlike and atmospheric, while others lean heavily into bold color distortion and abstract effects.

Like most disposable cameras, Psychedelic Blue No. 3 has a fixed focus and performs best when subjects are kept within approximately 4–9 feet, which also aligns with the effective range of the built-in flash. The flash allows for use in lower-light situations, but lighting conditions, subject placement, and composition all play a significant role in how the effects present themselves. This is very much a camera meant for experimentation rather than predictability.

Tip: Embrace the chaos. Simple compositions, strong light sources, and subjects placed near the center of the frame tend to yield the most visually pleasing results. Don’t expect every frame to be “clean” – the magic of Psychedelic Blue No. 3 is in the surprises.

The Psychedelic Blue No. 3 Single Use Camera includes 27 exposures, uses ISO 400 color negative film, and is processed using standard C-41 chemistry. Because the film is altered by hand and the process continues to evolve over time, variation is not a flaw – it’s the point.

Why We Recommend It

Here at The Darkroom, we develop and scan an enormous number of disposable cameras, and Psychedelic Blue No. 3 stands out as a truly experimental option. This camera is ideal for photographers who enjoy unpredictability, bold color shifts, and images that feel more like visual experiments than traditional snapshots. It’s not designed for consistency or documentation – it’s designed for exploration. If you’re looking to break away from the standard disposable look and embrace something more expressive and untamed, Psychedelic Blue No. 3 delivers exactly that.

You can purchase the Psychedelic Blue No. 3 Single Use Camera Here!