Why are we attracted to film cameras? Is it because pictures from digital cameras are so sterile and clean that they’re lack character? Or is it because we enjoy the approach and process of analogue cameras?
To me, I’m drawn to the imperfection of film. The little bit of haziness, the softness, the lush colors, the tone. They oozes that bit of charm where modern cameras couldn’t replicate. Film produces the kind of look and feel that trigger emotions.
Load a roll, wind it, snap it and move on. You can’t playback to see what was taken. And finally when you received the set of developed film, you get taken back to those moments.
I’m firmly behind the resurgence of film. Yes, YouTube might be full of hippies showing off their Leica M6, but these hippies take pretty nice photos and I’m happy to watch them all.
One may say presets and filters are all we need. VSCO is especially fantastic in this aspect and I certainly like them. But here’s the problem – people (I) get too caught up in post-processing to simulate the look and feel of film. Before we know it, it’s down a rabbit hole of filters and tweaking sliders.
While some lament the lack of instantaneous feedback, people who have embraced film actually enjoy this delayed gratification. Send the negatives for processing and wait a week. The wait heightens anticipation; like a kid eager to open their Christmas gifts. Because you never know what you’re going to get with those shots, the moment of truth is always filled with excitement (and sometimes disappointment).
Well, someday, I’ll try my hands on film. It’s ironic that as technology advances, we yawned to go back to the vintage stuffs of mechanical watches, film cameras and fixed gear bicycles.