Analogue photography uses chemicals on film to create memorable moments with a unique process. As recently as 2001, everyday DSLR cameras were still uncommon. They were basic and pricey at the time. In 2003, I purchased my first digital camera, a Canon 300D. Even though I used it for magazine assignments, my complete shift to digital photography only occurred in 2010.

Before that, I used a Canon AE-1P 35mm analogue camera, along with medium format analogue cameras such as the Yashika MAT 6×6, and Fuji GS645S.

If you’ve never experienced analogue cameras, you’ll find it interesting to know that analogue cameras had their aperture settings on the lens itself rather than having to change aperture through a dial on the camera body. The aperture values are clearly marked on a dial around the lens, and you simply rotate them into place.

Turning analogue images into digital format is a lengthy and tedious task. Dust particles cling to the film negatives, visible in scans, demanding cleanup in image editing software. This often means spending hours removing hundreds of tiny white dots. Handling filmstrips requires care, ideally with special gloves to prevent scratches. If a film negative gets scratched, especially on crucial areas like a subject’s face, it irreversibly damages the image.

You won’t face this issue with digital images, but a hard disk crash can result in the loss of thousands of images at once. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain multiple backups of your digital photos.