Photography has become an integral part of everyday life with the paradigm-shifting emergence of digital technology. However, with the rise of the new retro or newtro trend, the long-forgotten photo labs have been dusted off, revitalized by the footsteps of the younger generation, resonating with the charm of film cameras. In a digital era dominated by convenience and efficiency, follow the Sungkyun Times (SKT) to indulge in the delightful inconvenience of film photography.
Capturing Light in a Frame
-Film through the Years
Film cameras use the analog way of exposing film to light to record an image. The concept of capturing light has existed for a long time, dating back to 400 B.C. in Chinese manuscripts and Aristotle’s works around 330 B.C. However, a long process of evolution followed before the appearance of analog cameras, as they are known today, imprinting images on flexible strips of dark plastic material sensitive to light called film. The earliest camera, known as the camera obscura, was initially just a dark room where the outside scene was projected to the wall through a pinhole, unable to sustain the image. After continuous attempts to capture still moments in time, the French inventor Joseph 24 Nicéphore Niépce finally succeeded in leaving the oldest photograph surviving today with an innovative version of the camera obscura in the 1810s. Later on, actual film cameras were born with the appearance of roll films in the 1880s, following a similar principle of light exposure through lenses. Since then, film cameras have gone through much evolution and widespread commercialization led by brands such as Eastman Kodak Company and Canon Inc., until the rise of digital cameras and smartphones made photography accessible to anyone, leading to film’s eventual decline.
-Film Is Not Dead
A retro boom that began in the late 2010s led to the revival of past fashion and styles. Together with this trend, the use of film cameras has been revitalized by a new generation. In fact, according to data from the domestic shopping platform G-Market, the sales of film cameras rose by 158% between 2017 and 2021. Wui Ga-young, a sophomore from the Department of Business Administration at Yonsei University, shared with the SKT, “I developed a fondness for film back in 2022, as the feeling of nostalgia for eras gone by was being brought into the spotlight.” As the popularity of film cameras intensified, relatively lower-priced and simpler versions became increasingly accessible. For instance, inexpensive toy cameras with easy operation became largely used, lowering the entry barrier for beginners. The fascination for the film was also reflected in the attempts to replicate the vintage vibes through photo editing and analog camera applications such as RNI Films and VSCO, which successfully emulate the grainy film effect. With increased interest and accessibility, film has established itself once again as a part of modern culture.
Film in a Digital Age
-A Timeless Obsession
Digital cameras capture clearer images thanks to electronic sensors, but some people still find film photography more attractive. Films tend to capture the color contrasts with more detail, evoking different impressions depending on the type of film. Based on the brand and film formats, photographs can convey warmer or cooler feelings or enhance particular tones. The possibility of selecting the hues one desires to bring to life is a fascinating part of film photography. Moreover, the limited number of frames in each roll encourages one to prudently discern what is significant, and from there treasure the rare. The Korean colorist and film enthusiast Blvckswanfilm explained to the SKT, “The action of intentionally letting countless scenes pass by in hopes of encountering better moments mirrors the analog format of our lives, which makes film photography so unique.” Another allure of film photography resides in the anticipation before the film is processed and becomes perceptible. In the digital era, where everything is fast and convenient, film enables one to linger a moment longer and savor the waiting process.
-Film in Cinema
Films can be found in many aspects of modern life, including the cinematic landscape. During the early days of cinema, classic films were filmed with motion-picture film cameras, which could capture moving objects through rapid exposures on the film strip. Although the tradition has been lost with the emergence of digital cameras, modern movies such as La La Land and Oppenheimer were shot using high-resolution films. The cinematographer of La La Land, Linus Sandgren, emphasized the singularity of film colors in an interview with Kodak in 2017, “I love to work with colors that you do not always see with your eyes, but that I know is captured by the film stocks.” In particular, the director of Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan, also known for his films Interstellar and Dunkirk, is famous for his love for the high-resolution IMAX film format that enables a wider vertical view thanks to its screen ratio. He justifies his passion for films, stating that film captures the world closer to what the actual eyes see, enhancing the spectators’ experience. Filming with motion-picture cameras usually comes with hardships, such as the need to carry heavy equipment, investing a lot of money in film, and being unable to assess the results immediately. However, the unique texture, richness of colors, and depth in shadows that digital technology cannot replicate make many directors insist on shooting with film, making cinema more diverse.
Following the Film Journey
-Step 1
Photography is an easy hobby that can be enjoyed by anyone eager to appreciate small moments in life. The process of enjoying film photography begins with selecting the right type of film. The most popular format is the 35mm film that comes in rolls of 24 or 36 frames. A great variety of films can be used in different situations, depending on the subject, the desired tones, and the amount of light. One factor that must be considered when choosing film is the standard of sensitivity to light set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), where the higher its numerical value, the greater the ability to capture light.
-Step 2
Once the chosen film is loaded and wound inside the camera, it is ready for the photo excursion. Carefully select the moments to be captured, making the most of this inspiring adventure. Once the entire film roll is finished, the next step is to process the film.
- Step 3
In a photo lab, the films are developed with liquid chemicals in a darkroom and scanned as a digital photograph. A photo lab in Seoul City recommended by the SKT is Gorae Studio, located near Chungmuro Station. Here, Kingos can experience self-scanning and even make some simple color corrections.
-Step 4
The last step is to finally reflect on the scanned photos as if going through the pages of an old photo album and keep the film strips for the record. When time feels relentless and moments too swift, seek out film, as the photographs left behind will stand as testaments to the fading memories.
How many photos accumulate in our galleries daily, devoid of meaning? How much time do we let slip away without appreciating it? Dear Kingos desiring to attribute a new meaning to each frame of reality, expose one’s films to light, and reveal oneself to life. This December, pick up your cameras and rediscover the preciousness of the cherished moments.