Technology is advancing at breakneck speeds, from electric vehicles to artificial intelligence.
But the past is charming in a way that can’t be replaced.
This charm is especially true for film photography.
Thanks to smartphones and digital cameras, taking photos has never been easier.Yet film photography is making a big comeback. To put things into perspective, Leica, one of the most popular film camera brands, sold ten times more film cameras in 2023 than in 2015.
There are a few reasons for the industry’s growth, but nostalgia plays a big part for many people.
“The big reason why people are getting back into film is because of the process and the nostalgia factor,” Rene Rodrigue, general manager at McBain Camera in Edmonton, told CBC News.
Film photographs bring back fond memories of the anticipation of waiting for film to develop and the hope that you captured something compelling. It’s like the anticipation of Christmas; it gets more exciting if you have to wait.
In addition to anticipation and nostalgia, the younger generations see the value in film photography’s unique visual aesthetic.
Film photography is also a great outlet for people looking for a new hobby. Producing a film photograph takes patience, timing, and focus, which makes the result all the more rewarding.
There is no ‘instant gratification.’
“Much like people enjoy cooking from scratch because of the process of cooking from scratch, the same is true with film. They enjoy that process of slowing things down. They don’t have to have immediate results,” said Rodrigue.
Just like vinyl, film photography isn’t going anywhere. However, starting your film photography journey isn’t as easy as picking up a camera.
A Look ‘Through The Lens’ At Film Photography
Cost can be a major barrier to entry for aspiring film photographers. A beginner can expect to spend between $80 and $135 on their film camera and a roll of film.
Based on this expectation, each photo can cost as much as $2.25. The cost changes depending on the quality of the film and the amount invested in the camera.
A good film camera can cost thousands of dollars, and quality film rolls can cost upwards of $50 with processing.
For kids and teenagers who do not have money to spend, the cost of film photography can be a dealbreaker.
But a reinstated high school class is making film photography more accessible than ever for students in the Bow Valley.
Soloman Chiniquay and Nic Latulippe revived ‘Through the Lens,’ a film photography program that ran from 1997 to 2017.
Through the Lens was created by Craig Richards, the former curator of photography at the Whyte Museum in Banff.
Over 20 years, the program taught over 650 students, including Chiniquay and Latulippe.
“I mean, for me, I owe my entire career to this program. Because I shot on film then and I still do. My niche in Canada is analog and teaching analog. I work in the film industry as well,” Chiniquay told the Rocky Mountain Outlook.
The two teach Through the Lens at Canmore Collegiate High School, Banff Community High School, and the Mînî Thnî Community School.
The class began in February and teaches students how to use film cameras, load a camera with film, and develop and print their photos.
The course also earns students three credits toward graduation.
An Incredible Response
When Chiniquay and Latulippe first proposed reviving Through the Lens, they were not expecting such an incredible response from the community.
“We didn’t realize how much they want to shoot. It’s like four times more than we thought,” said Chiniquay.
All 30 of the program’s seats filled almost instantly. To keep things fair and to decide which students got a spot, a lottery system was used.
“We base it off a lottery system because we don’t believe a student should get it by merit by writing a letter or anything like that, and everyone should have equal opportunity to be part of the program,” said Latulippe.
Chiniquay and Latulippe were supported by the Whyte Museum and a $35,000 donation from the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, a private foundation in Banff supporting community initiatives.
Chiniquay and Latulippe used the donation to recommission the schools’ darkrooms and provide materials, including cameras, for each student to borrow.
“Not only did Through the Lens teach students how to take photographs, but it also connected them to each other, the environment and the community,” said Cathy Geisler, the Foundation’s Executive Director.
“From the exhibits to the publications, the entire community played a role in one way or other, and we look forward to seeing the next generation take part in it,” said the Whyte Museum’s CEO, Donna Livingstone.
Thanks to the support the Through the Lens program has received, Chiniquay and Latulippe will also be able to teach the course next year.
Film photography doesn’t just capture moments. It creates memories that people can look back on and remember fondly.
Programs like Through the Lens help keep the art of film photography and these memories alive.
