Why We Still Love Film: Analog Photography in the Digital Age | NBC Left Field

Search for the hashtag #FilmIsNotDead on Instagram and you’ll find more than 14 million posts from users all over the world. Why are younger generations embracing the slower process of shooting and developing film in a time when taking the perfect photo with our cellphones is cheap and instant gratification? Why are film and vintage camera sales up? And how has an online community helped revitalize the analog industry?



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Narrator/Editor
Carlos P. Beltran

Additional camera
Haimy Assefa
Ed Ou

Additional original music
Blake Carver

Special thanks
Kevin Rhoney

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#NBCLeftField #FilmIsNotDead

[somevideoguy]

I just hope they lower the film price a little.

[MadebyEdgar]

Nick Carver, Matt Day and Willem Verbeek in the same video, what more can you ask for?

[JohnHill]

I like when the narrator said Willem's photowalk videos are "actually" pretty good 😂

[jimhofman]

The film resurgence isn't just for the "kids". I learned photography on film 45 years ago - and now I'm back. I can actually afford some of my dream cameras that I couldn't touch 45 years ago - like Hasselblad.

[katfur]

I hope film never dies it's such a genuine hobby that I don't think I'd be able to say goodbye to

[mauricioruiz]

I'm 16 and my mom always says I look like an old man buying filmstocks and film cameras. I'll show her this video to prove her I'm not the only one

[shaunlaisfilm]

The real focus should be on who is actually processing & developing film, otherwise when this "fad" is oversaturated with hash-tags, where does the film photographer go?

I have been using film for 25 straight years & if that "surge" in film photography does not include film chemistry & darkroom learning then that surge will inflate the new investment that we are seeing in film photography.

These topics reminds me of when a new version of 101 Dalmatians come out & people run with adopting dalmatians, only to flood the animal shelters with the same dalmatians after the "fad" cools off.

Film Photography is so much more than a hash-tag.

[arty]

Two words to explain film's appeal: Digital Fatigue

[KingJvpes]

Shoutout to Willem, Nick and Matt!!! Such a good video 🙏🏽

[jacobalanis]

willem verb was a big influence for me his videos help so much

[henningserger]

Good documentary. As someone who has worked in environmental research for years and has also done life cycle assessments I want to add that the statement in the video that film may eventually go away because of environmetal reasons is not correct. Because film photography is more environmentally friendly compared to digital imaging. Production of digital sensors has more environmental impacts than film production, as well as usage of digital imaging (electric power consumption). Film will have a sustainable future.

[JakeBorchenko]

A shame Negative Feedback was not mentioned but great video nontheless.

[arthurb]

Lol I could tell from how he loaded the film that it was Willem

[edar]

I think people got tired of the auto-everything you have in any phone.

[APisceanSlant]

Great piece. I'm 44 now--and grew up with film. Obviously, once digital became a reliable method of capturing images, I followed the herd that way. I still shoot digital for work purposes, but around 2011, I was gifted a 35mm SLR from a relative, and grabbed some cheap Kodak Gold--shot a roll, and was thoroughly impressed with the results. Since then, I've invested in and embraced, medium and large format film. I've even been able to shift my professional workflow, from 100% digital, to 60/40 (digital vs analogue).

I love seeing younger generations embracing this, and it's a pleasure to talk to them about the specifics--imparting whatever wisdom I've gleaned, onto them. And in turn, I'm continually inspired by their images--perhaps due to their fresh perspective, on photography.

Film is not dead

[Kencarson]

This was so good, i think film community needed this! We are awesome

[noximera]

“Sometimes it’s okay to slow down.” - Indeed.

[gregkarris]

Was that guy trying to sell a compact 35mm Camera for $3, 000? LOL...

[TrentGamingCo]

The idea that film photography is worse for the environment is silly, its less damaging to use chemicals and what not than it is to buy a brand new camera every 2 or 3 years to keep up with technology, all while I'm still using a camera from the 60s.

[kaimelis]

from an outsiders perspective this video and the comments here seem very pretentious... i 100 percent respect film photography techniques and the process and the history. yet some of the comments here are so cringy and sometimes plain false that actually make me actively avoid film photography. same is usually applicable in real life with stark film enthusiasts, especially if you dare to mention that film does not "make better pictures"...