China News Service, Xi'an, September 6. Title: Film consumption in the ancient city of Xi'an has set off a new trend. Young people "freeze" time with physical images.
China News Service reporter Zhang Yichig Dang Tianye
Now that digital photography is becoming popular, film, a retro image carrier, is regaining favor among young people in the ancient city of Xi'an. Film developing studios, Polaroid experience stores, and new photo booths have sprung up in business districts and around universities. Physical photos have become a new choice for many young people to record their lives and preserve friendships.
A reporter from China News Service visited a film experience store in Xi'an and saw that the store has a physical darkroom that can provide film development and negative scanning services. There are a variety of "medieval cameras" displayed on the shelves, equipped with special storage cabinets for film. The staff explains film-related knowledge to customers from time to time, attracting many photography enthusiasts to stop to learn more, consult and experience.
Wang Boxuan, a college student in Xi'an, was attracted by the charm of film. "On social platforms, I came across a lot of content about film street photography, and I was moved by this slow-paced recording method. I came here specifically to feel the unique atmosphere of physical images. The unique charm of film is hidden in the 'delayed gratification'. I bought a second-hand film camera and took pictures in different streets and alleys, and made an appointment for a darkroom experience project. After developing it, I gave the physical photos as gifts to my friends."
Yue Zhi, the operator of a film experience store in Xi'an, said that young people who grew up in the digital age have a strong curiosity about film, and the darkroom experience is especially popular among young customers. "In this film trend, young people are the main consumers. They purchase cameras, film and other equipment through online and offline channels to record every detail of their daily lives."
Affected by the digital wave, many established film processing stations in Xi'an have long been closed down. Nowadays, new imaging studios founded by a group of photography enthusiasts are emerging one after another. Their business covers multiple categories such as theme photography, film development, old negative film restoration, camera rental and sales, and pickup and shooting. The studio has independent shooting booths and various themed props, making it a place for young people to check in. Many stores take care of both the output of paper photos and the output of electronic negatives, meeting the dual needs of physical collection and social network sharing.
Photography enthusiast Li Yunshan believes that the value of film photography stems precisely from its "limitations." Unlike digital photography, where you can take random snapshots or take endless bursts of photos, film has a fixed number of shots and you need to wait for them to be developed. This "restraint" makes every press of the shutter more important.
The rebound in film consumption is not a phenomenon in Xi'an alone. Industry-related statistics show that in recent years, China's film market has continued to recover, and domestic film brands that have been discontinued for many years have been re-launched, attracting widespread attention. The number of views on film-related topics on major social platforms remains high, and the number of film experience stores and independent darkroom studios in Xi'an, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Nanjing and other cities is increasing year by year.
Wang Xiaoyong, an expert from the Shaanxi Academy of Social Sciences, said that behind the resurgence of film is the "reverse adjustment" of young people to the fast-paced digital life. The process of slowing down the pace, carefully composing the picture, and waiting for washing is full of ritual. The unique grainy texture and non-replicability of film allow physical images to provide current digital memories with a time sustenance that can be treasured for a long time and within reach.
