I remember the day my mom handed me a box of my grandfather's old cameras back in early 2016 when I was finishing up my junior year in high school. "Take a look at these cameras and see if you want to keep any of them," she said, adding, "I'm giving the rest to your cousin." As I peered into that musty cardboard box, my eyes were met with a sight that I now long for. There, in front of me, were roughly ten cameras proudly displaying names like Canon, Pentax, and Nikon. At the time, I didn't have a specific interest in photography, but I couldn't resist the aesthetically pleasing lines and the classic feel of those cameras. I decided to hold onto one as a memento of my grandfather. I rummaged through the box and claimed the largest lens I could find for myself. It was fate that determined my first film camera would be an Olympus OM-1 with a 75-150mm zoom lens, even though its light meter was broken. I played around with it for a few days before eventually packing it away, only to rediscover it just a year ago.
In 2022, vinyl records outsold CDs for the first time since 1987, with an astonishing 41 million records sold compared to only 33 million CDs. According to the Pew Research Center, a remarkable 73% of Americans have read a book in the past year, and 65% of them have been print publications. Even in the world of photography, we're witnessing a resurgence of discontinued film stocks, such as Kodak's 200 Gold in 120mm. So, what's behind this revival of tangible media, particularly analog photography, in recent years? I believe there are several factors at play.
Nostalgia and novelty are often cited as the primary reasons for this trend. I frequently hear older generations express confusion about why the younger generation is so enamored with records, especially considering the reasons they moved away from them in the first place—they're bulky, easily damaged, and can't hold as many songs as CDs. The same can be said for film—it has limited exposures, it's more expensive compared to digital photography, and there's a risk of damage during development. However, there's an undeniable charm when someone brings a disposable camera or two to an event. Personally, I find myself revisiting film photos more often than scrolling through my digital gallery. There's something special about the novelty and nostalgia of the texture in film photography, but I truly believe there's more to this resurgence than meets the eye.
Another significant factor is skill sharpening. Many of us have captured five or six photos of the same moment, often in rapid succession, just to ensure we get the perfect shot. Whether using a professional-grade DSLR or a smartphone camera, the instant feedback encourages the habit of taking numerous shots to achieve the desired result. Snap, peek, nope. Snap, peek, nope. Snap, peek, ah, that one looks good. However, film doesn't offer this luxury. With only 24-36 exposures in standard format, analog photography tests and sharpens the fundamental skills of any photographer. Each shot requires careful preparation to manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed, ensuring correct exposure. Due to the limited number of frames, the photographer must truly consider the composition before pressing the shutter button.
There's also a rejection of convenience driving the resurgence. If you're reading this blog, chances are you have a little black box nearby—on your desk, in your pocket, or even as the device you're reading this on. These devices can bring us nearly anything we desire: music from around the world, food delivered to our doorstep, pictures from our latest vacation, and yes, even the latest articles from photography blogs. Yet, there's a certain cheapness to experiences when everything is instantly available in one place. My parents used to have a saying for me whenever I wanted something immediately: "happiness is having something pending." Analog cameras evoke anticipation. When the shutter clicks, you don't get to see the image on a little screen behind the lens; you have to wait. This anticipation is followed by the sheer delight of receiving the final photos from the lab or the thrilling, somewhat terrifying task of developing the film yourself. In a world of instant gratification, analog photography forces us to delay our dopamine rush and instead trust in our skills and experience.
In the end, the resurgence of analog photography and tangible media is driven by a mix of nostalgia, novelty, skill development, and a desire to break free from the convenience of instant gratification. The allure of film photos lies in their charm and texture, offering a unique experience that digital images often lack. Shooting with film hones the photographer's skills, encouraging thoughtful composition and careful adjustments. Moreover, in a world saturated with immediate access to everything, analog photography allows us to savor anticipation and delight in the final results, fostering a deeper connection to the art form. By embracing analog photography, we embrace a return to the past while appreciating the craftsmanship and the joy of capturing moments.
In 2022, vinyl records outsold CDs for the first time since 1987, with an astonishing 41 million records sold compared to only 33 million CDs. According to the Pew Research Center, a remarkable 73% of Americans have read a book in the past year, and 65% of them have been print publications. Even in the world of photography, we're witnessing a resurgence of discontinued film stocks, such as Kodak's 200 Gold in 120mm. So, what's behind this revival of tangible media, particularly analog photography, in recent years? I believe there are several factors at play.
Nostalgia and novelty are often cited as the primary reasons for this trend. I frequently hear older generations express confusion about why the younger generation is so enamored with records, especially considering the reasons they moved away from them in the first place—they're bulky, easily damaged, and can't hold as many songs as CDs. The same can be said for film—it has limited exposures, it's more expensive compared to digital photography, and there's a risk of damage during development. However, there's an undeniable charm when someone brings a disposable camera or two to an event. Personally, I find myself revisiting film photos more often than scrolling through my digital gallery. There's something special about the novelty and nostalgia of the texture in film photography, but I truly believe there's more to this resurgence than meets the eye.
Another significant factor is skill sharpening. Many of us have captured five or six photos of the same moment, often in rapid succession, just to ensure we get the perfect shot. Whether using a professional-grade DSLR or a smartphone camera, the instant feedback encourages the habit of taking numerous shots to achieve the desired result. Snap, peek, nope. Snap, peek, nope. Snap, peek, ah, that one looks good. However, film doesn't offer this luxury. With only 24-36 exposures in standard format, analog photography tests and sharpens the fundamental skills of any photographer. Each shot requires careful preparation to manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed, ensuring correct exposure. Due to the limited number of frames, the photographer must truly consider the composition before pressing the shutter button.
There's also a rejection of convenience driving the resurgence. If you're reading this blog, chances are you have a little black box nearby—on your desk, in your pocket, or even as the device you're reading this on. These devices can bring us nearly anything we desire: music from around the world, food delivered to our doorstep, pictures from our latest vacation, and yes, even the latest articles from photography blogs. Yet, there's a certain cheapness to experiences when everything is instantly available in one place. My parents used to have a saying for me whenever I wanted something immediately: "happiness is having something pending." Analog cameras evoke anticipation. When the shutter clicks, you don't get to see the image on a little screen behind the lens; you have to wait. This anticipation is followed by the sheer delight of receiving the final photos from the lab or the thrilling, somewhat terrifying task of developing the film yourself. In a world of instant gratification, analog photography forces us to delay our dopamine rush and instead trust in our skills and experience.
In the end, the resurgence of analog photography and tangible media is driven by a mix of nostalgia, novelty, skill development, and a desire to break free from the convenience of instant gratification. The allure of film photos lies in their charm and texture, offering a unique experience that digital images often lack. Shooting with film hones the photographer's skills, encouraging thoughtful composition and careful adjustments. Moreover, in a world saturated with immediate access to everything, analog photography allows us to savor anticipation and delight in the final results, fostering a deeper connection to the art form. By embracing analog photography, we embrace a return to the past while appreciating the craftsmanship and the joy of capturing moments.