Digital Film Photography
Digital Film Photography
A 'Film-stagram' for those who shoot in grain?
I have heard several times from people that film photography has no place in today's digital world.
"Why would anyone shoot film, just to take a scan of it, and post it online."
In that regard, why would anyone want to drive a vintage car with a stick shift? Or better yet, why would anyone want to watch an old original film in theater? How about wear a mechanical watch their father wore diving ? Why get up every 20min to flip over a record and drop a needle? It is those who explore the connection, mechanical interaction, and the experience to do so.
For photographers, it is good to explore the roots to the photography we practice today, and go back to the basics. The experience of photography that make its namesake of 'writing with light.'
Grainery is aiming to be the analog equivalent to Instagram. Jokingly, I think of it as Film-stagram. So new, they do not even have app, and is only browser based and that's not a bad thing.
They are trying to provide a place for film photographers to share their scans of film and the experiences and mechanical meta-data around them. Providing features for film folks that, honestly, I'd love to see on more platforms. Such as not forcing a crop, not compressing photos on upload, and just allowing for panoramic photos natively without having to swipe around.
Even if you are not a film photographer, it is worth a look. Scrolling through profiles, you can see the differences, or let’s say vibes, between what film photogs see and what you see on Instagram. In my opinion, that is the more interesting part of this. Because film photogs are typically more intimate interacting with either the subject, their camera, or the place they are shooting in; the photography experience that comes out of it can cary a different vibe (not just because of the grain of film) than you see on the daily on Instagram.
There is no place for videos, no ads, no influencers, and it is not a place for digital photographers imitating as film. I have heard that accounts that do so are removed by the creator themselves. I don't know how long a service like this will exist, or what their growth plan is for monetization (they monetize currently with subscription). But for as long as it is around, it is worth a look and experiment with.
Perhaps even you will see some photos there and think to dust off that old film camera you've been using as a prop in your staged Instagram photos. Or, the next time you are at a garage sale and see a vintage camera, pick it up and experiment with film yourself.
I have a link to my profile on Grainery, where I've uploaded a few shots from the various filmstocks and camera's I have on hand.