FILM PHOTOGRAPHY IS MAKING A COMEBACK

LIFESTYLE

FILM PHOTOGRAPHY IS MAKING A COMEBACK

Friday, 17 December 2021
By Fuad Nizam

KUALA LUMPUR: The film photography scene in Malaysia and specifically in the nation’s capital is ever so steady on making a comeback to the youngsters and adults in recent years.

This in turn was seen as a rebound from the slumping decline for demand. Thus, photographic films and cameras began to be seen as obsolete just when the world was shifting to digital cameras, during the turn of the millennium.

Among the enthusiasts of this ever-popular form of photography is Syaiful Redzuan, a photojournalist turned documentary photographer. He postulated that the country’s ‘film scene’ was merely ‘sleeping’ all these years.

“The boom in commercial photo development labs added with the unique outcome of these film rolls captivated many to renew their interests in this kind of photography,” said Syaiful.

The documentary photographer also noted that he is fond of capturing emotions and natural landscapes using his analogue photography techniques. He categorizes these subjects as those things that can be seen today but gone the following week.

Syaiful also keeps a tub load of film rolls stored in the refrigerator at his workspace to ensure his film stocks would not deteriorate and spoil for him and his colleagues to utilize later on in the future.

Fridge for films; to maintain the longevity of the film stocks, Syaiful keeps his film rolls in a drawer in his refrigerator.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Fuad Nizam)

Meanwhile, Amirul Johari, an online analogue camera seller, and an avid street photographer also agreed that the film photography trend is making its comeback.

“I began selling film cameras as I saw a demand for them back in 2019 and it has been growing steadily ever since,” said Amirul.

He noted that camera models that have been featured by celebrities on their social media have the highest demands.

“Since we are heading towards the endemic phase of the COVID-19 outbreak, the demand spiked again as people wanted to get film cameras for their vacations and social gatherings,” the 32-year-old added.

Amirul also said that despite the ever-increasing demand, the price for film stocks is also rising. Hence, making newcomers jump aboard the hype train, unable to sustain the expensive hobby.

“Time is ticking for the trend to die as the influx of film camera users are causing film rolls and stocks to increase in price. The rising price is a deterrence for film enthusiasts to continue this ‘elitist’ hobby,” he commented.

The popularity of film photography also echoed well with Ahnaf Irsyad, who has been shooting film since his varsity years.

“I started tinkering with cameras back in 2014 because I wanted to learn more in the field of photography,” he added.

Petaling Street and its vicinity prove to be a photo spot for Ahnaf and film photography aficionados alike.

(Source: Berita DIMENSi / Fuad Nizam)

The 27-year-old humanitarian worker also stated that he got attracted to film photography when he saw a picture by Don McCullin depicting a shell-shocked soldier at war.

“This also made me hooked in and fell more in love with film photography and photography in general, as it can be made into a medium for social change in an ever-diverse world,” he added.

Ahnaf added that for beginners trying to venture into the realm of film, one should find subjects that they are interested in.

"First and foremost, look for what piques your interest, and after you've found it, photograph it as best you can, to create a photo you'll be proud of if someone asks for it in ten years,” said Ahnaf.

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