Did analog photography the same to you?

Back in 2016, my stepfather gifted me a Canon AE-1 as my very first camera. I shot a few rolls with it, but I quickly lost interest because I had no idea what I was doing—and my results reflected that. Disappointed, I put the camera in a box and forgot about it.

Three years later, I bought a Ricoh GR III to capture moments from my travels and daily life. This little camera completely fascinated me. I took it everywhere and absolutely loved using it! Over time, I started editing my photos to mimic the look of analog film. I tried every film simulation setting on the GR and downloaded countless film emulation packs from the internet. But no matter what I did, the results never felt quite right.

One day, I found a roll of Ilford HP4 sitting in my fridge. That’s when I remembered the AE-1 buried somewhere in my old box. Excited, I dusted it off and immediately went out shooting. With the understanding how exposure works now, I felt much more confident this time around. The moment I pressed the shutter button it all came rushing back to me. I’d completely forgotten how good shooting analog felt. That single moment was a total game changer for me. I ended up shooting the entire roll in one afternoon and rushed it to the lab.

Two weeks later, I got the scans back—and I was in love. From the process of shooting to the imperfections in the photos, everything felt so rewarding. I loved the experience of pressing the shutter, advancing the lever, waiting to see the results, and even feeling disappointed with most of the shots on the roll. 🤣

Since then, I’ve often tried to go back to digital for convenience, especially with my GR III, as the AE-1 can feel bulky at times. But no matter how hard I tried, shooting with digital just didn’t feel the same. The GR III produced clinical, sharp images, but there was no soul in them. I even tried cameras like the X100V with a viewfinder, hoping they’d bring some of that magic back. But the fun, the excitement—it just wasn’t there anymore. As much as I want digital photography to be fun, I had to accept that it’s just not the same for me. And honestly, it’s a bit sad, because digital is so much more convenient and cost-effective, especially for travel.

Don’t get me wrong—a good photograph is a good photograph, whether it’s taken on film or digital. I’m not a film snob who puts digital down. For me, it’s all about having fun. And with digital, that thrill is gone...