Is there really a revival of analog photography

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Great video. I went through many of the same phases of the YouTuber myself.

 

[DMJ]

There has been an increased film sales showing an interest in analog photography by young people, especially in the US, but I wouldn't call it a revival if analog photography was never dead; I'm not sure I agree with Borut saying "digital is generic, analog is more organic and authentic". His videos are great though.

 

[Robert Maxey]

It sure seems like it. I know Kodak seems to be making more film these days. I am sure there are some industry sales facts and figures somewhere on the net.

Bob

 

[MattKing]

I am sure there are some industry sales facts and figures somewhere on the net.

Kodak has always guarded its sales figures.
My Dad was customer service manager for a Kodak processing lab in Canada for 23 years. Customer service was part of the marketing division. All of that sort of information was compartmentalized in order to prevent it from getting into competitor's hands.
In all 23 years, he was never in receipt of information on how many total rolls were processed at the lab where he worked.
The actual number would have been in the tens or hundreds of thousands each month, depending on the month.

 

[removed account4]

I don't think authenticity has anything to do with anything. most every photograph has already been taken with a camera, nothing authentic left.
digital image making can be just as authentic as making an photograph on film. organic? what does that have to do with anything, I'm not sure.
a crappy film based image is still crappy who cares if it is organic it just means the person spent money on consumables, instead of up front with the camera.

 

[gone]

I have to agree, digital is generic in that pretty much all the digital cameras have essentially similar sensors, and there's only so much you can do with that look, one camera's sensor image is about the same as any other's. Film is amazing because you can work w/ so many different variables to get completely different looking pics thru film and development choices, paper choices, and on and on. Film is organic, you can't make the emulsions properly w/o the bones of dead critters, and there's the bottles and jars of chemicals used in film processing and printing. All organic and real, not pixels, ones and zeros.

As far as there being a film uptick, here in Tucson I have seen exactly zero film cameras out in the wild on someone's shoulder strap over the last 15 months. Yes, there's been COVID, but still. COVID has certainly assured us that any accurate calculations regarding up or down ticks in sales of anything right now is impossible.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

"there used to be this thing called film" I hate it when people say that.

 

[George Mann]

I think that we have all seen an increase in film use from serious enthusiasts, which seemingly countless film-based web pages and videos can attest to.

 

[NB23]

I don't think authenticity has anything to do with anything. most every photograph has already been taken with a camera, nothing authentic left.
digital image making can be just as authentic as making an photograph on film. organic? what does that have to do with anything, I'm not sure.
a crappy film based image is still crappy who cares if it is organic it just means the person spent money on consumables, instead of up front with the camera.

Edible prints. As soon as you can’t look at photographs anymore you can eat them.
Vegan and all. Now there’s an idea for 2022.

The snowflakes will love it.

 

[Bikerider]

If Kodak have had a surge in making film, I wonder if they would care to send some to UK. It is almost impossible to find a regular supply of the consumer level C41 film and when you do it is at inflated prices with almost certainly the dealer outlets cashing in on the scarcity.. The same applies to Fuji film too. What is going on?

 

[PerTulip]

If Kodak have had a surge in making film, I wonder if they would care to send some to UK. It is almost impossible to find a regular supply of the consumer level C41 film and when you do it is at inflated prices with almost certainly the dealer outlets cashing in on the scarcity.. The same applies to Fuji film too. What is going on?

Might it be some kind of Brexit-effect? Almost every company has a European distribution and now the UK is a special case....

 

[PerTulip]

...., but I wouldn't call it a revival if analog photography was never dead....

Depends on how you look at it.
I am completely aware that there are some professionals shooting film, but those are edge cases. In professional photography, film is essentially dead.

I shoot both digital and analog. And both have their merits, pros and cons. By observation: there certainly is a "resurgence" or call it "rising interest" in film. In my area, several shops specializing in film cameras and accessories have opened. It seems film manufacturers will stay in business for the next years. New films are being released. And I really like that some young people have an interest in film.

 

[Helge]

Depends on how you look at it.
I am completely aware that there are some professionals shooting film, but those are edge cases. In professional photography, film is essentially dead.

Professional photography is essentially dead.

 

[Lachlan Young]

If Kodak have had a surge in making film, I wonder if they would care to send some to UK. It is almost impossible to find a regular supply of the consumer level C41 film and when you do it is at inflated prices with almost certainly the dealer outlets cashing in on the scarcity.. The same applies to Fuji film too. What is going on?

What's happening? Demand is significantly outstripping the capacity of the roll conversion/ confectioning plant (that had been massively downsized from the early 2000s onwards), that's what's happening. Demand levels on triacetate base are such that Kodak has had to move some non-sheet materials over to Estar.

 

[Nodda Duma]

If Kodak have had a surge in making film, I wonder if they would care to send some to UK. It is almost impossible to find a regular supply of the consumer level C41 film and when you do it is at inflated prices with almost certainly the dealer outlets cashing in on the scarcity.. The same applies to Fuji film too. What is going on?

Talk to US retailers and it’s the same story here. Long waits for stock to arrive.

As for dry plates… I can’t keep them in inventory. I’m continuously getting slammed for orders: direct sales or from retailers. Special projects, too, but can’t yet talk about those. It’s all crazy, but it’s allowed me to begin leasing a commercial space to expand into from my basement. All very exciting stuff.

 

[AgX]

As usual everyone is reporting from within his own horizon.

 

[halfaman]

Depends on how you look at it.
I am completely aware that there are some professionals shooting film, but those are edge cases. In professional photography, film is essentially dead..

I must disagree. There is an increasing ammount of professional jobs at least in Europe that use film, specially fashion editorial and catalogs. Two labs I know process this kind of works on weekly basis.

 

[removed account4]

Talk to US retailers and it’s the same story here. Long waits for stock to arrive.

As for dry plates… I can’t keep them in inventory. I’m continuously getting slammed for orders: direct sales or from retailers. Special projects, too, but can’t yet talk about those. It’s all crazy, but it’s allowed me to begin leasing a commercial space to expand into from my basement. All very exciting stuff.

Can’t wait to hear the news as soon as it’s available!
I hope it has to do with coating film with your sweet elixir
and black sheet film would be a thing of beauty.

 

[warden]

Talk to US retailers and it’s the same story here. Long waits for stock to arrive.

As for dry plates… I can’t keep them in inventory. I’m continuously getting slammed for orders: direct sales or from retailers. Special projects, too, but can’t yet talk about those. It’s all crazy, but it’s allowed me to begin leasing a commercial space to expand into from my basement. All very exciting stuff.

Congratulations!

 

[foc]

As usual everyone is reporting from within his own horizon.

Yes, without industry figures and/or knowledge, then our own horizon is good enough.

Add all the horizons together and we might get a better picture.

 

[Robert Maxey]

Kodak has always guarded its sales figures.QUOTE]

However, we can tell from reading the trades how many motion pictures are made on film, how many dealers are selling film, and how many associated services are discontinued or start anew. I should think this will provide a good idea of the state of film. At least a ball park guesstimate.

Bob

 

[Robert Maxey]

As usual everyone is reporting from within his own horizon.

Indeed. I've learned over the years to discussions like this are better served with a little hard data. I might go into Database Mode and find an answer. There is one, somewhere.

Bob

 

[Robert Maxey]

Talk to US retailers and it’s the same story here. Long waits for stock to arrive.

As for dry plates… I can’t keep them in inventory. I’m continuously getting slammed for orders: direct sales or from retailers. Special projects, too, but can’t yet talk about those. It’s all crazy, but it’s allowed me to begin leasing a commercial space to expand into from my basement. All very exciting stuff.

I wish you well. I might start using plates but whenever I punch them for proper registration, they break apart.

Seriously, I DO indeed hope you grow and prosper.

Bob

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

Professional photography is essentially dead.

I respectfully disagree. What has been happening is a few rock stars will take most of the work and the work left over other photographers can't make a living with. What makes is worse are the new photographers trying to get work by charging below their value. That's why I quit being a pro when digital cameras brought more photographers into the field.

 

[Robert Maxey]

I think that we have all seen an increase in film use from serious enthusiasts, which seemingly countless film-based web pages and videos can attest to.

But is this a sign of increased use and demand or simply people trying to get a little of that sweet, sweet YT/Internet Ad Sense money? I do not really know. I agree with you. there seems to be a growing interest, but a growing interest based on what we all see on the web is not necessarily how things really are.

There are thousands of sites out there all talking about the same products. How many here would start a film manufacturing business to supply this growing demand?

If only Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Jeff Bezos would take an interest in film, they could build a plant.

Bob