Analog is BACK!: Film, Vinyl and more…

The physical motion of clicking the button of a camera to capture a moment you can’t view until way after; then turning on your vinyl record player to listen to music and read the back of the vinyl sleeve…has a sense of gentle harmony that cannot be replicated in digital form.

In an age dominated by digital technology, it’s captivating to witness the “revival” of analog formats. Although many enthusiasts would not claim it as a resurgence, as its niche community has never disappeared – this obsession with the tangibility of physical formats, is highlighted in various reports as early as 2017, where there is this renewed interest in tactile and physical experiences, as well as the allure of nostalgia. It’s evident that this trend towards analog is becoming more than just a passing fad.

Jeremy Yong Yawyi, 23, alongside his girlfriend Lim Jiaer, first founded Fiilmgazing –their online film camera business –back in 2020. He started out as a film hobbyist himself, and eventually began to help his friends source for cameras. It was then he realised that film cameras were a niche market in Malaysia that could be improved, which is where he stepped in.

“We’re trying to bring more and more cheaper point-and-shoot film cameras, and we try our best to ensure our service is good,” said Yong.

“We provide warranty to all the cameras we sell. We’d like to open up our repair and fixing services to the public soon, but we’re currently still focusing on refurbishing our stocks”.

Shelves of film cameras at Kukun Studio

(Source: Bernice Lee)

Fiilmgazing takes on the initiative to make film photography more accessible to the masses, and has recently opened up a physical studio in Puchong under the name Kukun Studio.

Likewise, vinyl records have gradually transcended their status as mere collector’s items. The crackling noises and imperfections of vinyl records add a certain nostalgia and soul to the listening experience, making it an attractive choice for audiophiles seeking a more intimate connection with their favourite artists. Teenage Head Records in SS14, Subang Jaya, is set to celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024, and manager Faisal Hariz, or Ero, is proud to admit that the vinyl format is not going anywhere.

“Physical items have more value; there’s this sense of owning it. You can see the hard work and effort put into this music,” said Hariz.

“There’s little tidbits on who did this, who is the guest feature and so on. Some vinyls even come in unique designs or weird shapes”.

Teenage Head Records have had more younger people coming into the store, and even if they don’t purchase anything, they’re creating content that serves them as free advertising. As such, The vinyl community is expected to continue growing as much as film, where annual vinyl gatherings like Kena Sound by Kena Sound Collective can be seen popping up.

Teenage Head Records’ vinyl store

(Source: Bernice Lee)

Film camera stores, vinyl record DJ booths, and analog-related pop-ups or flea markets are more common in youth-centric locations like REXKL in recent years. This is to cater to a new generation that seeks something beyond the instant gratification of digital media. The appreciation for analog formats extends beyond the inherent qualities of film and vinyl. It reflects a desire for authenticity, a longing for a slower pace, and a yearning for a more tangible connection with the world.

Wong Shun Kit, 20, is a Taylor’s University student that engages with film, polaroid, and vinyl as a hobby,

“I find it really refreshing, to see all these old formats of presenting things being revitalised in a new light,” said Wong.

“It feels like we’re paying homage to a previous generation, where we’re able to carry forward what they had back then, and in a way revamp it into something new as well as incorporating it”.

Wong shares that his growing interest in analog formats has allowed his father to form a closer bond with him. His father sees a lot of himself in Wong nowadays, because his father enjoyed these hobbies in his youth too.

This trend is not merely a nostalgic indulgence, but a deliberate choice to engage with art, music and photography in a more intentional manner. These formats allow people to capture their imagination and creativity in ways digital media often fails to accomplish.

An example of a film photograph

(Source: @wednixeye on Instagram)

Polaroids, in particular, are able to capture this vulnerability and spirit of the moment digital formats often struggle to replace.

“I once saw this failed shot of a guy falling off a chair, and another woman trying to catch him. It was such a funny way to capture a moment that captivated me to feel what they were feeling too,” said Wong.

In moments where digital technology could easily capture repetitive images, analog documents it with a significance that allows it to present itself as a living photograph. It’s safe to say, that analog is BACK, and here to stay.