Singapore's Modern-Vintage Revival: Film Photography's Comeback

In a digital age dominated by pixels and megabytes, we explore the resurgence of film photography and why it is becoming increasingly popular?

By Arnav Amar Yadur, Ashwini Jayasankar, Janae Tan Ying

From seasoned photographers who've spent years capturing the essence of moments to budding enthusiasts just embarking on their photographic journey, film photography has experienced a remarkable resurgence in Singapore. We set out on an investigation in search of answers, exploring the viewpoints of three people: the experienced caretaker of Whampoa Colour Centre, a person well-versed in the history of photography, and a young, inexperienced photographer who had recently entered the fascinating world of film photography.

In the Lion City, film photography has undergone a spectacular revival, finding favour among the vibrant generation of Gen Zs and millennials. For them, it's more than just a hobby; it's an artistic endeavour, a way to capture the many aspects of life. Social media is a digital embroidery that is adorned with their visual diaries, which are captured with the captivating grain and texture of cinema. It's a media that embraces all aspects of life, from the sentimentally charged get-togethers with close friends and family to the impromptu shots of architectural wonders taken while travelling.

A flourishing community has been sparked by the growing interest in film photography. Nowadays, the city is home to a plethora of specialised film camera stores and film developing centres, which act as sacred havens for the emerging film enthusiast community to nurture their craft and turn their frozen pictures into vivid, unforgettable memories.

Mr Ong Tee Huat began as a wedding photographer when he was younger

and he opened Whampoa Colour Centre in 1983, in his mid 20s.

A copy of a newspaper in 1983 laminated and pasted onto the glass panel at the front of the shop when Whampoa Colour Centre first opened and was featured in the weekly newspaper. (Source: Janae Tan Ying)

Whampoa Colour Centre in present time 2023, after going through many interior and exterior changes and renovations to the shop during the last 40 years. (Source: Janae Tan Ying)

"I didn't really study much then that's why I had to learn how to survive and earn money so I decided to take up photography to earn money."

Contrary to the popular belief that shops lost business due to the pandemic, with all the lockdowns, Mr Ong believed that the pandemic helped to sustain and in - fact boost his business.

“I was still allowed to open my shop because I had other companies and people who wanted to photocopy their stuff. All the office people were working from home but they still had to photocopy their paperwork anyway, that's why I was still able to open my shop. My shop not only develops and sells film but I also help offices and other customers to photocopy paperwork.”

Mr Ong Tee Huat at his storefront processing and printing out the passport photos he had just taken from a customer who needed assistance with a new passport photo. (Source: Janae Tan Ying)

THE BEAUTY OF FILM PHOTOGRAPHY

While the first film photograph was taken in 1885 by Geroge Eastman, the founding father of Kodak, film photography flourished as a commercial process substantially later in the twentieth century, when it was deemed sensitive enough to be taken with a handheld camera.

However, with the rise of digital cameras in the market, particularly since 2003, when digital camera sales surpassed film camera sales in the United States for the first time, the fate of film cameras took a sharp turn with the convenience and more sophisticated features that digital cameras provided, such as instant image viewing and the ability to take an unlimited number of photos, a far cry from the once precious film rolls.

The timeless appeal of film photography seemed to fade in the age of megapixels and memory cards, buried beneath the convenience and versatility of the digital realm. Film photography appeared to be relegated to history, a fond memory for those who had witnessed its heyday.

The technological advancements in film camera technology. (Source: PetaPixel )

Nevertheless, film photography has recently enjoyed a renaissance, as shown by the introduction of new film stocks and the revival of discontinued films by manufacturers such as Kodak which discontinued its Ektachrome film in 2013, but reintroduced it in late 2017.

According to statistics from The Garage by HP, one of the unique characteristics of film revival is how it remains separate while also being integrated into our digital environment, as well as the fact that there is an interesting association between social media and film resurgence.

Instagram filters are often inspired by film stocks or specific photographers. Many people, particularly the younger generation, who use image-based social media platforms such as Instagram would want to know where these filters came from. Through their quest for knowledge, they dive into the world of film photography, where every shot is artwork, every roll of film is a time capsule, and every click is an act of creation.

SPARKING A NEW INTEREST

In an interview with Evelynn Toh Yilin, a 18-year-old Ngee Ann Polytechnic student studying Early Childhood Education, had just started her hobby in Film Photography in 2022.

Using her very first camera, the Olympus Mju Zoom 115, she has learnt a lot of things about photography in general.

Though Evelynn feels that the reason behind the revival of film photography is because people just do it to follow trends, she mentioned, “ I think a fair share of people actually enjoy the whole process of film photography. It could be that the process of film photography shows them a glimpse of what photography in the past was like and they are intrigued by it.”

Evelynn enthusiastically shared that her initial attraction to Film Photography was ignited by the unique charm of a developed film photo. The intricate process of film development, in contrast to the straightforward path of traditional photography, was what convinced her.

She claims that her love for photography as well as her appreciation for the arts has blossomed ever since she got her first camera.

“Having to take your photos and actually heading down to a film processing shop to process the photos myself, it made the whole process of photography feel much more personal and close to my heart,” said Evelynn.

TRANSPORTING DOWN MEMORY LANE

Amidst her numerous family adventures, Evelynn brought her film camera with her to capture the essence of cherished family moments and the captivating scenes that stirred the fires of her inspiration.

“If I look at the photos that I’ve taken using my film camera 10 years from now, it’ll definitely be nostalgic, but I also can use it to remember what happened behind the scenes too.”

A favourite all-time photo of her’s would be the photo that she took of a florist selling flowers on the streets of Hanoi, Vietnam.

“I feel that the photo shows so much. To other people who view it, they can see what life in Hanoi is like. There is no way you can see these types of things happening in Singapore and I feel like it serves as an educating point of how different people make a living in Singapore as compared to in Hanoi,” said Evelynn.

Evelynn's aspiration is not simply to preserve her film photos as cherished memories in her own mind, but also to kindle the flames of inspiration in others. She longs to ignite the passion for capturing life's precious moments through the lens of a film camera, encouraging people to embark on the nostalgic journey of memory-making.

“To me, it takes me back to a memory of the time I spent in Hanoi and what happened when I took that photo.”

Captured in March 2023, Evelynn believed that locations like these breathed life into film photographs, making them feel incredibly authentic. These were scenes she wasn't accustomed to witnessing in Singapore. (Source: Evelynn Toh Yilin) (IG : @tohmatofilms )

A NEWFOUND LOVE

Ng Wee Liang, a 24 year old Bachelor of Science (Real Estate) undergraduate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has been an avid film photographer for half a decade.

“For me, it's because I got bored of digital photography, so that's how I started. Where I felt like, digital is only nice based on how you edit your photos, most of the time.”

Citing the final product in film photography to be more captivating to the human eye, Wee Liang has not turned back to digital photography ever since.

“Film photography is, in a way, more authentic because if you were to edit a film photo, you could kind of tell whether you shot long enough or if the photo was edited.”

BLESSING IN DISGUISE

3 April 2020 impacted every Singaporean in some way. It was when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a nationwide partial lockdown, known as a circuit breaker, to contain the spread of COVID-19 in Singapore.

These measures came after an increase of unlinked cases over the preceding month, as well as the risk of a huge cluster of infections.

Wee Liang seized the opportunity to grab unparalleled photos of Singapore’s icon, the Merlion.

Recounting back, he felt blessed to have some alone time with the mighty statue and take some memorable pictures with his film camera before he was confined to his residence for an unknown future at that time.

“There were no tourists at all when I went to Merlion Park at around 2-3pm and it was totally empty. So that was quite an interesting sight.”

RISING UP TO THE CHALLENGE

Film photography, just like any other hobby, requires patience and determination to satisfy oneself. To become a skilled film photographer, one needs to possess a strong grasp of the medium in addition to technical proficiency and artistic originality. However, there are still some obstacles Wee Liang stated that he had to overcome.

To many it may seem problematic, however it motivated him to do better.

One big hurdle many film photographers had he stated was during post production. “I would say the challenge is usually the post processing, because you don't know what you're taking, right? You cannot see what you're taking, so sometimes the photos may not show up as you wanted, you know?”

By having a never give up attitude it will help an aspiring film photographer to have more resilience and confidence to showcase their final product to the world.

Wee Liang's favourite photo, taken at Dakota Crescent, a now-inaccessible and partially demolished location. He often used this place to test out his new cameras and films. (Source : Ng Wee Liang) (IG: @ngweeliang_ )

CRAFTING ONE’S NICHE

Film photography can be carried out in many possible scenarios. At events, to cherish memories or to capture bliss moments that are unique to oneself but random to another person.

Wee Liang has dedicated his film photography avenue to capturing Singapore’s architecture and heritage before it is lost in the past.

Inspired by Mr Lee Kip Lin, a well known Singaporean architect who strived to preserve traditional architecture through his photo archives, he hopes that he can continue his legacy and show the future generations of Singapore how this country all started and how much times have changed.

“It is important to document places before they are gone because Singapore has developed very quickly. Take a look, something new is being built everywhere around the country. Take the Dakota Crescent housing estate for example, it is now gone. Without proper documentation the future generation, our children, will not know what this place was before!”

A POTENTIAL HOBBY

In addition, with a bright and fun journey ahead of her and her trusty camera, Evelynn mentioned that it is important to, “take time to learn your stuff and don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings and materials.

Taking up new hobbies is a rewarding and enjoyable experience that will help you connect with people, explore your interests, and enhance your general well-being. It's never too late to give something new a shot and experience the many advantages of taking up a new hobby. Who knows? Maybe film photography might just be the perfect hobby for you!

For the curious souls yearning to embark on their enchanting journey into the realm of Film Photography, those who are eager to grasp a film camera and make memories sing, there's a delightful suggestion: Start your adventure with a disposable camera. It's like dipping your toes into a pool of nostalgia. A tantalising glimpse of the analogue world that once ruled

However, “if you plan to try film photography for the long term, then maybe not,” said Wee Liang, as he suggests investing in a sturdy, quality camera that would last you for the long haul. One that not only captures images but also preserves value for potential resale, should the tides of time ever turn.

“Because if you don't try, then you'll regret it right?”