Hey all, Erik here with a quick guest post about a subject that’s raised a lively debate in our studio. Everyone on our crew has long been shooting with Polaroids, rangefinders, micro 4/3 cameras adapted to accept vintage lenses…even processing digital images to look like they came out of an old dusty camera. Surveying the landscape, it’s clear this tide has been rising for a while now and we’re not the only ones attached to this stuff. So the question I present to you is this:
Why is retro or faux-retro photography so popular these days?
Why, when we have such capable and inexpensive cameras at our disposal, are we reverting to old technology and old aesthetics? Is it pure nostalgia? Is it a palette cleanser from the ease and accuracy of said capable and inexpensive cameras? Is it a passing trend? We have opinions–especially Chase does as you might expect–but we’d like to hear from you.
it’s probably because it gives an instant ‘cool’ look. and because it’s non-mainstream, but it’s becoming so mainstream that it’s starting to phase out. basically, it’s because of hipsters.
I think not seeing the world exactly as it is adds something, the retro also adds good feelings of course.
I like the look of the retro stuff because it brings up the hippie spirit in me. Freedom to Explore. Freedom to Enjoy. Freedom to be…! Digital photography is so easy and accessible. There is no risk. Even the point and shoot cameras feature the ability to turn out predictably amazing and realistic captures at 16 mp. Due to the perpetual advancements in technology, photography in general has lost it’s mystique.
Even though I know that a great photographer has many hours of study in the art and skill of composition and techniques, a person who has fired off some great snaps with a point and shoot might say, “Seems like anybody can do it. Why pay big bucks to a pro?”
By experimenting with new “old” techniques and equipment, a photographer has opportunity to bring a uniqueness to his game.
http://waughphotos.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-accidents-will-happen.html
The wild popularity is a passing trend of course, but it will always be around. The tide rose high in the mid 90s as well in film, mostly with Holgas, etc. I enjoy the look sometimes. However, it’s look that is based on the characteristics of particular technology at a particular time; i.e. ‘low fi’ is simply another brush in the artist’s bag, no?