Silva Wischeropp
Analogue photography
Analogue photography or analogue photography (counterpart to digital photography) is a retronymic term from photographic technology and describes photography on photographic film, on photographic plates, on instant photo material and (in the case of high-quality printing processes) on coated paper or on metal plates. Analogue photography is experiencing a renaissance just a few years after its supposed demise as an art form. So-called fine art prints are appearing more and more in exhibitions for large-format photographs. These are usually elaborately made hand enlargements. Since the end of the 20th century, some photographers have rediscovered the early fine printing processes and the technique of collodion photography. The process and the complex production are often perceived as a challenge. The results sometimes show extraordinary tonal values that cannot be achieved using modern techniques. Since the 2010s, ordinary 35mm photography, but also medium format, large format and instant photography, has enjoyed increasing popularity as an artistic hobby; The imperfect style of particularly old photographs is considered fashionable even in modern digital photography and is used as a stylistic device. This renaissance is supported by increasingly easier access to old knowledge via digital media such as blogs and forums.
