The rising trend of film photography

Much like other retro trends, film photography has quickly gained popularity with Generation Z and younger audiences.

It has also drawn the attention of photography professionals, raising questions about the mediums future.

Film was once the standard in photography, but that changed with the invention of digital cameras, which made taking pictures easier than ever.

Billions of photographs are made every day," said James Swensen, professor and section head of art history and curatorial studies at Brigham Young University. "Everyones got a camera in their pocket.

Today, photos are often taken out of convenience.

If I want to remember where I parked my car, Im going to take a photograph, Swensen said. Just basic stuff. We use cameras so often today, and theyre kind of cheap.

Despite modern convenience, film has made a comeback. For many photographers, its not just about nostalgia but also about the craft of creating a photo.

Its a different mentality," Jonathan Canlas, founder of the FINDLab, said. "You actually stop and start to think, and youre way more intentional than like, 'well, I got 10,000 images, I can do whatever. One of these will be great.'

Canlas explained, rather than shooting constantly, film encourages a slower approach.

That type of mentality, that kind of discipline, where Im going to shoot something on a shoot, maybe one, maybe two of it; I feel that photographer is more skilled than someone whos going to take 10, 20, 30 of them, Canlas said.

He said it encourages a more disciplined approach.

Its just a different process than digital," Shaun Nelson of Utah Film Photography said. "It gives you so much more control, which results in better creativity. Im responsible for the composition, just everything that goes into creating that photo."

Nelson said the results of film were something that could not be replicated.

Its holding, holding that piece of film and going, my gosh, this is what this is what has been created out of this. This is a physical, actual thing, he said.

That physical quality continues to be valued in an increasingly digital age.

Whether film photography is merely a vintage trend or finding new life remains unclear; only time will tell.