Film photography isn’t dead yet – but some fear for its future

DIGITAL gives photographers everything in a blink; film makes them wait. But as the world speeds up, is this enduring sanctuary finally fading?

Film photography continues to thrive, but the industry is changing, and local creatives are concerned for what’s next.

Ocean Grove photographer and cafe owner Reife Braun has been shooting film since he was a boy.

“When you have a digital camera or a phone you don’t have to think as much,” he said. “You can make as many mistakes as you like, and it isn’t as thought of.

“When you’re on film, you’ve got one chance, and I guess that’s the beauty of it.

“Developing your own photos, dipping it in, mixing the chemicals, pulling the film out in a dark space, it’s honestly incredible.

“It just feels like the way it should be.”

Braun fears the film industry is “eating itself”, suggesting it might be healthier if fewer people did it but with greater efficiency.

“Film is super expensive, it’s a tricky industry,” he said.

“Ten years ago, we had a few shops in Geelong, but now that isn’t the case.

 

“More people are shooting film, but there aren’t as many in the industry, it’s interesting.

“I don’t shoot as much film anymore, it’s probably the price point, and it’s also just that face to face interaction of them doing it in front of you isn’t that popular anymore.”

Braun suggested drop boxes at coffee shops like his in Ocean Grove – Gather – could be an opportunity to help share the love.

“It’s going to fluctuate,” he added.

“The culture is changing, and the people around our area don’t have that Analogue Academy kind of place anymore to share those memories.”

Geelong Camera House are one of the few local businesses soldiering on in the field.

The Moorabool Street establishment is the only store in the region that is still developing and providing film camera services.

Creative hub Analogue Academy closed down in March 2023 – Braun claimed it was a sacred place for local film enthusiasts.

The business was resurrected as Hue & Cry Gallery and Studios at the start of 2024 under the direction of new owners Corey and Harriet Notaristefano, however, has since closed.

While film prices have increased, Geelong Camera House is seeing no signs of purchases slowing down.

 

“Our typical customers range from young teens getting into film to those in their mid-twenties wanting to recreate the nostalgia of their own childhood photos,” staff member Chelsea said.

“We do also get quite a few people clearing out cupboards and finding forgotten rolls from decades ago – those are my personal favourites to develop.

“I think now more than ever people are reaching for a touch of reality and film is a good pathway to that. It helps you to stay in the moment and has zero filters.”

Local creative Frankie Kaye started using film from day dot of her photography journey as a teen.

She believes a great depth of understanding needs to be held when processing and shooting film.

“It created a deeper and more rooted process when capturing and telling a story,” she said.

“Film doesn’t allow for mistakes, therefore it forces you to stop, slow down and capture the world for what it truly is.

“You must calculate everything; timing, lighting, speed, emotions, colours, exposure, aperture, background and so much more.

 

“Film also carries a great depth with it, a feeling I’m not sure anyone is able to articulate precisely. But perhaps it’s nostalgia, yearning for an Earth and Time that was once so simple.”

She also holds fears of the industry being non-existent to a degree one day.

“I’m hopeful that it won’t be completely overtaken in 10 years by AI and technology,” she said. “But I also have faith, faith in humanity to hold onto what we can.

“Among many things in this world that cannot be completely replaced by technology, is handmade art; across all mediums. So I’m hopeful we will remind ourselves what is important and choose as a collective to hold onto it.”

Kaye, like Braun would love to see more businesses jump out there and do film, saying one on the Surf Coast “would make a killing.”

“The knowledge, patience, expertise, craft and money that it takes to run a developing lab is massive, and due to being a bit of a dying art it isn’t so sought after these days,” she said.

“However, I think with the right person and right location, one on our coast would do really well.

“It would spark an epicentre for art again on the Surf Coast and ignite a new generation of life. With so much beauty around us to capture, I think it would spark a creative side to so many people that don’t know they have it.”