Film is dead, long live film.
Many people predicted the death of all forms of film photography as soon as the realization hit that Kodak declared bankruptcy in 2012. However, as part of the bankruptcy restructuring Kodak sold off its film and paper business to the UK Kodak Pension Plan. This released Kodak USA of its UK pension responsibilities and set up a profitable business for KPP. The new company formed is Kodak Alaris. They are producing a selection of black and white and color print film and now have reintroduced Ektachrome slide film. They’re also still making silver based paper for color and black and white prints. The end result is film is still available, chemicals are available to develop the film and paper is available to print the negatives.
Quietly film photography is making a slow but steady resurgence. On a recent photo walk of 20 people three photographers were using film cameras. A few years ago no one would be using film. A local camera club recently hosted a photographer’s demonstration of developing film using coffee, aka Caffenol. Musician Jack White has opened a darkroom for developing film in his Nashville studio. See more here: youtu.be/VRzpWyL9WqI For what it’s worth, Jack White has also continued to produce his music on vinyl records created in the same Nashville studio. And for an interesting read on the resurgence of all analog processes, including paper notebooks, vinyl records, board games and film photography take a look at Revenge of Analog by David Sax. politics-prose.com/book/9781610398213
Looking back we should have realized the film aesthetic was not dead at all based on the popularity of Instagram filters and other post processing filters used to produce film grain, scratches and light leaks. The line of Fujifilm digital cameras are very popular because of their film simulation modes. In fact, many Fujifilm photographers shoot with their favorite film simulation in jpg format rather than shoot RAW format and take the steps later to convert in post-production.
Film photography is not dead, it’s not even on life support. Although its market share compared to digital is miniscule, film is healthy, growing and profitable for businesses in that sector. There is still room for growth as people want to rediscover film photography and younger photographers that have never used it that are getting introduced to it for the first time.
Do you miss photography with film? Well, I’m hosting a Meetup event in December (http://meetu.ps/e/FXZWb/7rRZl/f) that will help you get reacquainted or introduced to film photography.
Watch this video as an appetizer: vimeo.com/97670700
This is a BYOF&C event – Bring Your Own Film & Camera to shoot some pictures with BLACK AND WHITE FILM!! then we’ll develop it in a darkroom.
No film camera or film? NO PROBLEM! Come and learn what it’s all about by watching, asking questions and seeing the magic as it happens.
Why I choose to continue shooting with Black & White film:
- More of a process of creation
- More careful about each image because it cost money
- Rely more on composition, textures and shapes
- More about lighting and contrast – lower dynamic range
- Forces me to see things differently thereby making me more creative
- Pay attention to quality of light, quantity and direction
- No screen to chimp, get it right at the shoot or don’t get it
- No editing in camera, just shooting
- Happy accidents can’t be repeated. Expired film, light leaks, film stock differences, developing variables
The process of creating images with film will reignite the sense of wonder and excitement that has been dulled by instant gratification of digital photography. It continues to feel like magic every time I open a tank of just processed film and look at the still wet negatives for the first time.
Attendance at this Meetup event will be limited to 10 participants. Please be mindful of this when you RSVP. Go here to learn more and reserve your spot: http://meetu.ps/e/FXZWb/7rRZl/f