By J1 Reporter Katherine Dietz 

In an age of digital cameras and iPhone photography, some people find the value in capturing moments with analog technology. 

Of the 35 Marian students surveyed, 14 said they owned a film camera, which is a unique method of photography that requires patience and meticulous attention to detail in order to get an image to appear correctly. 

Instant Cameras gained a lot of popularity with young people in recent years. 

“I took it to theater in the summer and took pictures with friends,” junior Layla Weedin said. “It was really easy to use.” 

Analog cameras are typically simpler to use, since they have fewer buttons and are mostly mechanical, rather than needing to charge or have batteries replaced all the time. 

“I think they appeal to young people because they’re so easy to use,” Weedin said. “It’s also cool to have a physical item for the picture you took.” 

Polaroid brand instant cameras automatically develop after the image is taken, instead of having to develop the film manually. These were many people’s first introduction to film photography and how to handle things like exposure and developing. 

Film cameras are unique in the fact that not only are your photos on a physical item, but the photographer cannot see the final image until after the photo has been developed. This is because film is a light sensitive material that must be stored and developed in complete darkness in order for the image to appear properly.

In a classic film camera, the film must be loaded into a canister, placed in the camera, and, after the photographer has taken all the shots on the roll, it must be unloaded in total darkness to preserve the images. After that, the film is developed in special light-safe canisters and hung up to dry. 

Printing occurs in a place called a darkroom, with the iconic red lights and tubs of liquid that are so commonly associated with photography. Prints are developed in this red light due to the light sensitive nature of the paper, and are then placed on a rack to dry. 

Marian’s Journalism program used this method to take photos for the yearbook and newspaper up until 2007, when the journalism room moved to the third floor. The shift to digital led to computer editing replacing developing and printing. 

Taking photos on film takes patience and time, but there is something unique about taking pictures with a method of the past.