What was once one of the only means to capture and save memories, film photography could soon be but a memory itself.
The use of film can be dated back to the mid 1800’s, where plates made of silver or copper stood as chemicals exposed to light would react with the plates, a process that would take far too long to take photographs of anything but landscapes.
As times progressed, so did the technology, and the ability to use flexible film that would only take a fraction of the time as well as a fraction of the cost.
Memories were saved on glossy paper and shared with friends, family members and acquaintances.
Today, everything has become digital, and film photography and printing are reserved for old-school enthusiasts.
The one-hour-photo centers have now been pushed to the back of stores as digital photography centers help customers take the pictures off memory cards and have them printed or stored online.
Though the process means people do not have to wait an hour, it also shows how digital photography today is more convenient.
It seems like physical photos are more appropriate for nostalgic scrapbooks than a photo album.
Even picture frames have competition with electronic copies ready to take their place, enticing people with the option to display more than one photograph.
Most phones now have the ability to take photos that may lack high quality but are satisfactory. With apps like Instagram, a free app that allows pictures to be taken with a vintage look, the desire and demand for old school film cameras decreases.
Even the differences in price are fighting against film.
The cost of taking photos on a film camera means buying film, taking the pictures, paying to get them developed and using the best ones as opposed to a digital camera, where hundreds and potentially thousands of photos can be stored and viewed.
If the photographer does not like a specific picture, they can easily delete it from their camera or computer.
With advances in technology allowing for progress to transform everyday items and products people use, the functions gadgets of tomorrow will do will only be that much greater.
Though film cameras are still around, the trend of current digital single lens reflex, or SLR cameras, and even standard point and shoot cameras, show no sign of backtracking.
The times are changing, and film photography and physical pictures could turn into a thing of the past, alongside outdated technology like records, 8-tracks and VHS cassettes.
