Well, if the current environment we live in isn’t enough to cause you to be fatigued, there’s more … “digital fatigue”! That’s right and what a great segue to get back into discussing photography! On April 5th, WBZ Radio in Boston did a segment discussing how Gen Z And Millennials are opting for analog life, citing digital fatigue. Going back to everything from film to music. Even analog clocks and written journals! Written journals … can you believe that! And a July 6th New York Times entitled Film Photography Is Making a Comeback. Just Look at All These New Film Cameras stated “A growing wave of digital fatigue is driving photographers back to film, and camera makers are sensing an opportunity. That’s why, for the first time in several decades, we’re seeing new film cameras hit store shelves every year.”
The author notes that while he still uses a digital camera, his photo time is even divided with almost ten film cameras! The article goes on to discuss the test results of three cameras, the Pentax 17, Kodak Snapic A1, and the Lomography Lomo MC-A, and provides a round-up of all the film cameras that have come out since 2020. And guess what … there are a lot of them!! All the way from $30 super cheapies to the $7000 Leica M6 reissue.
Yes, film is back baby! I am seeing more and more people out there using film cameras … both new and older models. And people come up to me and ask me about my film cameras when they see me making pictures!
As with vinyl, people want to use something they can really identify with, tactilely and otherwise. Something more real … and … truer. Away from the screen, away from the phone.
Digital fatigue … now that’s something you won’t get tired of!
Stay well,
Michael
Yes, all that you write I have noticed myself, and absolutely it!
Time to slow down, and enjoy, rather than “multitask” our lives away. Fantastic article, Michael, I loved reading it!
Charlie,
Thanks for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it!
Best,
Michael
I meant to say “absolutely love it” above, but was two-finger typing too fast!
Charlie,
I sort of figured it out. Again, many thanks!!!
Best,
Michael
Digital Fatigue. I don’t have it. But I have been thinking . . . with my lifestyle a digital camera would make snapping much easier. And I do have a little Lumix and a few lenses. And thinking about the OM-3, the digital one. Can the pics be satisfying? Sometimes. And sometimes they don’t seem flat. What a digital camera could be likened to, is a camera with slide film/ I did see some pics in the Guardian from an Afghan-American photog and his pics sort of reminded me of those of the great Raghubir Singh, whose photos (film, Kodachrome) I love so much. They are REAL. And Singh said that nothing renders reality as well as Kodachrome (for color). Now I am set to go off with one Olympus OM-2n and a few lenses and one Lumix Gf1 with some lenses. That is all. When I did one serious color project it was with Kodachrome. Well, that’s gone and slide film is way to expensive. So, what color print film could be a kind of Kodachrome replacement? Maybe Portra? Yes, I know. I can probably never get the REAL with digital. Stick to B&W?
Paul,
Looks like you have a lot to think about, but as you come around to maybe black and white is best. I’m not much of a color guy, but I do remember Kodachrome 25 and even shot a few rolls at ASA 12 or 20. Beautiful!
Best,
Michael