maybe it was cuz i've always had cheap phones with bad cameras, but for a while i wanted i proper camera. plus it felt cool to own a device that was meant just for that purpose. so after getting a new job with good pay i decided to pull the trigger and get one as a self present for xmas. of course my first instinct was to look for a digital camera, and was instantly shocked as to how expensive they were.
not sure how, but in doing research i found out about film cameras, which was one of the things i guess i knew existed if you were to ask me, but i dont think they would've ever crossed my mind let alone assume ppl would still be using them. i did always liked the film/vintage aesthetic, so i that combined with the fact that they were cheaper sealed the deal for me. of course film is pay 2 play, but i reasoned that my picture taking would probably involve me going around town shooting at whatever interesting thing i came across, which meant not a whole lot of pictures taken. basically, paying for a cheaper camera + film + development would be cheaper for me overall than getting just an expensive one
after getting into film, first i was just glad i stuck with the hobby, which was a concern of mine. specially bc how expesive my first camera was. but secondly i really got into film. not only the aesthetic itself but also how shooting film works. you don't get to see what you've taken instantly, and there's little point in retaking unless you're absolutely sure you've fucked up. this would be a nightmare for a professional (which is the main reason they got replaced) but works wonders for me. my picture taking involves walking around town, truly looking around and appreciating the things i would normally not notice. and if they're cool enough, i'd shoot them. but that's secondary. it's a great excuse to go out and enjoy a nice sunny day
with time, another thing ive learned to value about film is the fact that it's the full package. digital cameras are made to deliver sharp and high quality raw material, flexible enough to be edited in post. film is from a time that wasn't possible, so it was made with the intention of delivering a final product. it's weird cuz im all about tinkering with editing software (if i had to say my forte is video editing), but for some reason i don't feel like color correcting pictures at all, feels like cheating almost. maybe it's cuz i had this preconceived notion that somehow photoshop = bad/fake. maybe it's the fakeness. there's something magical about capturing a moment the way it was in that moment. idk, i'm still thinking about it. this all came from the fact that i got interested in digital cameras because a friend brought the kodak keychain camera in one of our trips. not only that thing is oozing with personality, but also since it's digital it allowed us to take all the goofy pictures you'd think twice about shooting in film. i thought about getting one but im not super convinced about it, specially about the image quality. bit of an oxymoron to not like the very thing that gives it it's charm tho no? but i digress
for more specific info and timeline of events, check cameras