The Rebirth Of Film Photography
Photo Credit: Teagan Nichol
For a long time in the history of photography, film cameras were the default device for taking photographs. After the popularization of the digital camera, the usage of film began to decline. Now, with the invention of the smartphone, most people have access to a high-resolution camera in their pocket, rendering film cameras essentially obsolete.
Despite this, film photography has maintained a niche community who still use the technology, and in recent years, the medium has experienced a resurgence in popularity, especially among the Gen Z population.
For many of those who have developed an interest in analog photography, part of the appeal comes from the element of surprise involved with it.
“It feels more intimate and it just adds dimension and fun to taking photos,” Eloise Ramslie (10) explained. “Because you can’t see your photos [right away], you get excited to get them developed and remember what you took.”
Ramslie, who has been using disposable cameras since 2019, began her journey of analog photography at summer camp. “You’re not allowed phones at summer camp, so one of the most special things about camp is getting your film developed afterwards,” she said.
This element of surprise applies especially to those who develop their own photos in a darkroom. “The magic of watching your photo reveal itself in the darkroom is a real labour of love,” Ms. K. Best (Fine Arts) described. “What you put into it is what you get out of it.”
Ms. T. Florian (Fine Arts) agreed. “The process and how hands-on it is and how relaxing it is. It’s kind of meditative, and in this culture of pressure and stress it’s just a really nice release.”
For some students, such as Adian Ma (12), the unique experience of film was the entire reason they started doing photography. Ma has been collecting analog cameras for over a year now, and has learned to appreciate the complexities that come with them.
“A lot of analog cameras have these weird quirks,” he said. “For example, the Hasselblad 500C/M is supposed to be operated from the left hand, and with my Leica, due to its viewfinder magnification, I can keep both eyes open [while shooting].”
With more and more young people catching onto the analog trend, film photography has also seen an increase in popularity on social media. The hashtag #filmphotography on Instagram alone has over 38 million posts. But why now?
“I think it might just be the aesthetic of it. Lots of things come back [in style], like flared leggings and whatnot,” explained Lucy Samudio (9). “One person starts doing it, it’s trendy, it’s cute, and then everyone else starts doing it.”
Ms. Best shared a similar sentiment. “There’s a bit of a swing right now, where we’re seeing a lot of ‘90s fashion, and I think a part of that swing is going back to more of an analog process in art,” she said. “I think it’s tied into why people are listening to records, when you could just turn on Spotify. It’s that interest and desire for the original.”
With large retailers noticing and taking advantage of the trend, even more people have become interested in the art of film photography, said Ms. Florian. “We’ve got these big-name brands promoting film again, so naturally, culture is going to pick it up.”
Regardless of this analog renaissance, many students will continue to stick to their digital cameras. Bianca Takenaka (11), who loves the film aesthetic but is concerned about the cost-effectiveness of pursuing the craft, instead uses photo-editing software to recreate the analog look on her digital photos.
On the other hand, Samudio prefers digital photography because it’s what she’s used to. “Film has a different outcome [than digital], and digital is just what I grew up with.”