journal features

film photography's next generation

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

Tokyo, 2009.02.07

I've noticed something interesting going on with the user community of a couple of the photography forums that I frequent. Young DSLR photographers with no background in film photography are buying film cameras.

It's not a tidal wave of interest by any means, but it seems a steady flow of photographers born 10-15 years after me are picking up used film equipment and discovering that they love it. The usual experience seems to run something like; "The lenses for my DSLR work on older film cameras, so I bought one to see what it's like. I really enjoyed using the film camera, and find the results to be amazing; such vivid colours, so much contrast and dynamic range in the black and white. I find myself using my DSLR less frequently, now."

I'm sure that for every photographer going through this, there are a hundred going the other way (these mostly seem to sing the praises of the money they're saving on film and processing). But I'm very pleased to see my love of film photography resonating with people who never grew up with the habit.

rand()m quote

The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to such a pass that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love, and in order to occupy and distract himself without love he gives way to passions and coarse pleasures, and sinks to bestiality in his vices, all from continual lying to other men and to himself.

—Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov