Going analogue in digital times

Film photography with analogue cameras is coming back into trend, even though digital cameras are more powerful and versatile than ever before. Why is it still such an attractive technology? And how might photographers at every skill level still profit from going analogue from time to time?

Coming back into trend without ever leaving

While the film market is far away from reaching its once glorious peak in sales from before digital times, it is still widespread. Every halfway decent photography shop still offers analogue film and there is a huge second-hand market for cameras. Especially consumer-friendly disposable cameras and colorful Polaroid-cameras can be seen everywhere. However, while it is a trend especially amongst younger generations, analogue photography as an art form never left. There are many recognized professional photographers and artists who never set down their analogue camera and claim this special and more challenging style of freezing the moment.

Learning analogue photography in 2023

I am twenty years old. When I was born, film photography reached its peak in sales and began its rapid decline. It just couldn't keep up with the comfort of digital photography. It is slower, more expensive and there is more to mess up. Still, I picked up an old camera in 2023, bought a roll of Kodak Gold and shot 36 pictures. It was a constant struggle, the light meter was vague, getting my motive sharp and focused was only possible in the center and took some adjusting, everything was either too bright or too dark and I never knew if I just messed up the entire picture. Frankly, I absolutely loved it. Why? It forces you to obey to the camera’s rules. If you spot an interesting scene, you stop and start thinking. And you have to think a lot about your composition, since you only have 36 shots at best and every shot has to be the best possible. There is little room for mistakes. With a digital camera, you don’t have to think too much. If you want the best picture, you just shoot fifty different ones and pick the one you like most. I noticed how I tried different angles and really tried to find the best position for the shot. Always waiting for the optimal second, the perfect scenery, the warmest light. And even if I thought that everything was perfect, that I made the right adjustments and found a great composition, I still didn’t know if I nailed it until weeks later when I got the film developed. It was exciting and challenging. And I’m quite proud of my first roll of film. I love the grainy look, the colors and the fact that I took my time and really thought every composition through.

Should you try it?

If I’m honest, it is not cheap. Even if you happen to have a functioning analogue camera lying around, film is quite expensive at the moment due to shortages and either too little or too much demand. Still, if you want to try something new and challenge yourself, go for it. Instead of shooting away, you slow down and analyze the scenery around you. It teaches you a great deal about composition and patience. It makes you more aware of the camera in your hand and every shot more precious. Plus, every shot, even if it’s out of focus, has phenomenal colors and has a very nostalgic look. A look that reminds the viewer of times before the digital times of photography.