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Is there still a significant number of people shooting casual photos with film?
Is there still a significant number of people shooting casual photos with film?

A future for film photography?

In the same way that Polaroid film fell by the wayside, is it only a matter of time before it becomes more and more difficult to find and develop 35 mm film? Driving past Walgreens, I noticed the digital sign read "We still process 35mm film," and it occurred to me, that sooner or later they may not.

Mainstream stores like Target, Walgreens or CVS, previously processed wet lab prints daily but now, they gear all advertising, product sales and processing options to the digital audience. Of course, most of these large service centers will still process your film but often it has to be sent out to a secondary developing lab.

Will there be a point at which film is no longer processed? Like eight track or mini disc players, will film photography be relegated to rummage sale shelves and eBay purchases?
 

Talkbacks

TomSellecksMustache | Dec. 10, 2009 at 11:42 a.m. (report)

34732 I think most serious photographers that are shooting film try to stay away from the instant places. Generally speaking the quality of those establishments is on the low end. They don't really do much more than process for the average disposable. If you're not shooting 35mm negative film you're basically out of luck anyway.

Even if mainstream photo processing gradually declines, you'll always be able to do B&W on your own (and color if you're up to it). The investment can be costly if you buy all new, but finding enlargers and darkroom supplies is pretty easy on craigslist or ebay.

In Milwaukee if you're still doing slide film, B&W or just want high quality processing of your 35mm negatives all is well. Tom Fritz Studio near Marquette HS still does all of those things. Ritz camera out in Brookfield does as well.

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brewerfan13 | Dec. 2, 2009 at 8:40 a.m. (report)

Nice! That is awesome. Thanks for the link jfiess!

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jfiess | Nov. 30, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. (report)

34765 Well, there is this: http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/diana-lens-for-SLRs

But I still don't think film will disappear completely either.

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brewerfan13 | Nov. 30, 2009 at 12:28 p.m. (report)

It may eventually disappear for the mainstream population, but film photography is still a fine art form and I think will stick around in that capacity. I don't forsee digital Holga or 4x5 cameras any time soon.

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MichaelTH | Nov. 30, 2009 at 12:49 a.m. (report)

Those ads are mainly for, or should I say against Wal-mart because they stopped processing film on-site

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