There seems to be a nostalgia for taking photos with a film camera swirling in the air. The younger generations are rediscovering something that was previously taken up by a few lucky ones or a few passionate enough to pursue it. You know, ‘the real deal’, the proper film camera, not like all those smart phones and gadgets nowadays. The good ol’ times where everything was pure and simple and … and except it wasn’t. Moving away from general critic of utopian visions of those of us feeling the time progressing rather too rapidly, and onto the topic at hand – film cameras. The fancy and expensive equipment was just that, fancy and expensive, and available to only those who could afford it. I’m sure there were some exceptions, but they don’t fit into my train of thought for this article, so “we need to move on” as the politicians say when it suits them.

Our family had one basic (automatic) camera and took photos when it mattered, i.e. the big events like weddings or christening, or a school trip or whenever distant cousins happened to visit (every decade or so). Did that teach us patience – you don’t use up the whole roll in one go, you wait for someone else to develop the film, etc – and appreciation of the medium? What do you think? Of course not! When the moment of importance came, we behaved exactly like people with their mobiles nowadays. Well almost, we had to remember that there was a limit to the number of photos we could take. What had however changed in recent years is the accessibility of the medium; most of phones have very good cameras and so, anyone and everyone can take a photo that is amazing or just good enough. A lot of people bemoan this state of things, but to me it’s very freeing. Sure, I don’t get (m)any likes on Insta and probably only my sister likes my photos on FB, but the process of photo taking in itself is quick and easy, therefore available to full time working people, busy parents, or overworked pupils.

A couple of months ago I got myself a manual film camera (second hand & old, but still decent) thinking I would take some atmospheric and unique photos. Have you seen my exhibition yet? Well, no, ’cause it was only in my head! In reality, I almost cried after the first shot, frustrated by the fact that I couldn’t check the photo I’ve just taken, therefore couldn’t correct or change anything. When I finally managed to finish the rolls (one colour and one B&W) turned out that I need loads of practice with the manual aspect of the camera as reflected in the blurry examples below.

Here are some of the reasons why I personally see myself using only the digital camera:

Yes, I know, practice makes perfect and all that. But being a person who gives up easily, when something doesn’t work first or second time – they rarely write books or make films about those type of people – the digital camera offers me an instant self-esteem boost that the manual will only give me after lots of practice. Oh, we shouldn’t demand instant things you say? Our modern speed of life is too fast? It’s as fast as you make it I’d say. I’ve never been a patient person and so I don’t think I’ll learn patience in my old age. I will forever be a ‘silly goose’ 😀