Film photography is an art form that vastly contrasts our social media-filled world today. Everyone is guilty of taking tons of photos on their phone in hopes of capturing one perfect shot. Our particular generation is especially guilty of taking an insane amount of photographs daily. Every time we open SnapChat we are exposing ourselves to a new opportunity for a photo. Our generation is unique in that regard, but some of us are getting tired of it. Film photography is all about capturing a moment in its single instant, with no outtakes and no retakes. How could such a beautiful concept become lost enough to come back as a “trend” for our generation?
In the late 1990s and the early 2000s, digital cameras became widely available to the public. They were a new, convenient way to capture photographs. From there, the film photography industry slowly began to crumble. In St. Louis today there is pretty much only one place where you can still get film developed for a reasonable price, as well as within a reasonable time. Schillers Camera is located on Manchester Road and it is almost always buzzing with camera lovers. The recent resurgence of film has made its mark on the business.
Just two months ago, I went into Schillers Camera to purchase a three pack of Kodak 400 speed 35mm film. They were completely out of it. As someone who has participated in their fair share of film photography, I was both disappointed and excited that their most popular film was sold out. This meant that I would have to find a different and most likely more expensive type of film. But it also meant that more people were buying film.
I have a personal connection to film photography because I think it allows for a single, unique moment to be captured and shared in a way that our phones can’t. I don’t think I’m alone in appreciating this aspect of film photography. Our generation has become fond of the “vintage” look of film photography. There is just something about photos on film that even a low quality digital camera off of Amazon can’t replicate. However, while it may seem difficult to replicate film photography in a digital format, there are some who try.
Apps such as Dazz Cam, Huji Cam, and KOD Cam, all attempt to capture (no pun intended) the uniqueness of film photography. Some of these apps even make the user wait 24 hours to receive their photos to recreate the feeling of waiting for film to develop. They also use filters on their photos to make them look “aged” or “vintage.” While these apps are a good inexpensive way to replicate some of the best parts of film photography, they still don’t encapsulate the idea of a real single shot.
Today, it costs about $10 for a roll of film (and that’s for the cheap stuff). Every single shot on that roll counts more because of the amount of money the photographer spent on it. This makes the user of the film more conscious of what they are shooting. With every click of the button you have to ask yourself, “Is this shot worth 30 cents?” and that simple question completely changes the quality and thought put into your photographs.
Our particular generation has been overexposed (the film puns just write themselves) to photographs. From Snapchat to Instagram, all day we take and observe photos. Film photography is a way to step back and look at a moment with a little more thought. Another side effect of this art form is the feeling of delayed gratification that comes from seeing photos days after taking them. Our generation has found an appreciation for the present moment as well as the past due to certain events affecting our development. Zoomers have an appreciation for film photography that is not only an homage to the past, but also a symbol of our love for the present moment.
