This question pops up on camera forums and photography blogs all the time. Many people ask themselves “why can’t I find my camera roll?” when they first start using their new smartphone, but with this article we hope to answer any questions about what a camera roll is and why it’s important for photographers!
What is a camera roll?
A camera roll is a folder on your device that stores saved images from your camera, as well as images you’ve transferred to the camera from other devices or computers. Think of it as a place to find all your photos.
Where did the term “camera roll” originate?
The exact origin of the term is unknown, but the term was popularized by the apperance of a “camera roll” on the iPhone. Apple likely decided that “roll” fits the context of photos better than “folder” because of how you scroll through photos shot one after the other.
The term ultimately has origins in the old days of film photography, where photos were shot on rolls of film. So “camera roll” is really an old term kept alive in a very fitting modern context.
Finding your camera roll
A camera roll is a location for storing photos on your phone. You can access it by tapping the visible icons in the bottom left corner of your screen or swiping right to find “Camera Roll.” It’s also possible to view them through iCloud, which you might want to do if you’re running low on storage space on your device. Beyond photo management though, this menu has some other helpful features that are worth exploring!
