Some call them hipsters. Some say theirs is a generation that is unable to cope with the demands and moral requirements of today, and so they turn back to what to them were the “good old days” of their dad’s or grand dad’s youth. Some claim they delve into vintage stuff just because they look cool doing so; trying to revive our old vinyl stereo decks, dad’s old gummed-up Sony cassette player, dressing up in out of fashion clothing, wearing T-shirts with Queen, Che Guevara and Led Zeppelin, reading Kafka or Steinbeck, and so forth. And many of them are showing a keen curiosity and interest in the film photography.
To me, this generation is clearly looking for its own path. If they look back and find stuff that gives them the coordinates to navigate today towards an uncertain tomorrow, I say they’re all right. They may appear to be annoying, fickle, even rude at times, difficult, shallow and without much (apparent) appreciation of what they have and take for granted things which we fought for or worked hard to get, but let me tell you this: I still remember my own parents telling me exactly those things about my generation. So I say just let them find their own way, and see any of the hip stuff they come up with as a sign of them being smart enough to understand the world needs to be adjusted according to the new, while not letting the past slip by in the oblivion. I, for one, am glad they understand this.
Among many other things, some of them could very well be the next generation of film photographers.
Rolleiflex 2.8F, Agfa APX 400