Hello,
this isn't directly photography related (at least the first part of this posting), but a bit in an indirect way, and independent from that, certainly generally interesting for some members:
The first half of 2020 was the first half year since the mid-eighties in which revenue from vinyl record sales in the US significantly surpassed sales revenue from CDs.
232.1 million $ from vinyl versus 129.9 million $ from CD sales. Source:
https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mid-Year-2020-RIAA-Revenue-Statistics.pdf
If someone 15 or 20 years ago would have told you that will happen, most would probably have reacted by considering him being totally crazy......
.
Meanwhile there are again about 40 vinyl factories running globally (including new ones), and most of them have difficulties to keep up with demand.
The demand development in this area is very encouraging, as not only vinyl sales are strongly increasing for years, but also countless new turntables in different price regions from cheap to absolute high-end have been introduced.
This is an example that demonstrates one further time that
- strong revivals and trend changes are possible
and
- that such
"revivals are more marathons than sprints".
All that cannot happen overnight.
Patience, endurance, very hard work and a mid to long term perspective is needed.
As some of you may know, part of my job is also market and technology analysis, including the photo market. I have designed some analysing tools and methods by myself. So far they are working very well, all my forecasts have been right.
One result of my analysis has been that we will see a film revival. Exactly that has happened in the last years. But we are still in the start phase. There is more to come.
But this development will take its time. It is a process of many further years. Some film photographers are quite impatient and think that a market could be rebuilt in only a few years. But that is unrealistic, it takes more time (see the vinyl example).
Being more realistic, more relaxed and having more patience and a long-term perspective is helpful, I think. It reduces stress and dissappointment, and it increases the joy we have with film photography.
Just today I finished another analysis for one of my clients in the film photo industry. A market and product analysis for a product group that would be a huge step for that company and would have very positive effects for the whole film photography scene. An analysis based on market developments of the next 15 years, because essential long-term investments are needed for such products. That again made me realize how important it is to also have a look on the longer perspective (and motivated me to share parts of my assessment with you in this post).
Independent from that I have got some news in the last days concerning several new products. I will probably be able to give more details in the coming days. Please stay tuned.
All the best to you,
and
long live film
.
Henning
Photography is not about megapixels, dynamic range, frames per second or specification sheets.
It is all about light, composition, memories, stories, creativity and the enjoyment of making pictures.