Over the last few years i’ve noticed a trend. I’m not sure if it spawned from the isolation of the COVID lockdowns or if it would have happened regardless. That trend is the seeking of nostalgia. What do I mean by this? Everything from baking bread, the resurgence of vinyl records and record players and most importantly, for me, film photography. Reaching into the past to find pastimes that have meaning for us. Following a recipe from scratch to done, learning how to work a turntable and place the needle on the record to create that unmistakable sound. Picking up a camera that has a winder, a physical shutter, loading 35mm film and waiting, sometimes a week, for the images.
All these things take time and effort and have a learning curve. They are also nostalgic, taking us back to a different time and place. A time when some of us were kids or your parents were kids.
nos·tal·gia
/nəˈstaljə/
noun
a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations.
I remember the first time I picked up a camera. It wasn’t what you would call a traditional camera. My 3rd grade teacher had us create a pinhole camera. We used the round Quaker Oatmeal box as it was light tight. We poked a tiny hole in it and created a slider to cover it. We mounted tin foil, inside the box, to reflect the light to the bottom of the box. In the dark we placed an undeveloped piece of photographic paper on the bottom of the box. We then sealed it. All we had to do was point it at something, keep it still, and slide the pinhole open. This exposed the paper to light. We then developed, using chemistry, the paper. I remember my awe at seeing the image appear on the paper. from a blank sheet to a photograph. Not only did I create the image, I created the camera. I was hooked for life.
Imagine my joy when I discovered that this medium was making a comeback. I dusted off my old cameras as well as my knowledge of the process. I dove in with both feet, finding creators online, magazines, YouTube chanels, places to develop my film and so much more. I had forgotten how much I loved the process of film photography. I love having a mechanical camera in my hands. I also love waiting for my images to return from the lab. It takes me back to a time that was filled with joy and discovery.
While I still shoot digital, I have rediscovered an old love in film photography. I am so excited that a new generation is rediscovering this part of photographic history. The images from yesteryear, prior to the late 90’s were all made on film or other, non digital, process. To understand that process helps us better understand the people that made those images.
So I will continue to soak up the nostalgia of my childhood, 20’s and 30’s and if you want I can share it with you as well.
Until Tomorrow!
John