King St. Studios

We all know analog photography is experiencing a renaissance. Younger generations are flocking to film with a romanticism that only can be conjured by the vibes of a dark room.

Within just a few years, a large community of millions of followers has been established on Instagram, with photos listed under the hashtag #FILMISNOTDEAD.

More photographers and influencers are putting down their smartphones or digital cameras, and they are beginning to take their photos with film, or they are desperately getting these new apps like Picsart, VSCO,.. so they can capture that grainy greatness.

They are not only wanting to capture the looks of analog, but are also diving into the process. When you get your negative for the first time, you understand this magic analog world, and addiction soon follows. You follow each step meticulously.

There’s something romantic in the analog process that makes you feel excited, the anticipation for the finished product. Shooting film allows you to slow down, compose your shot, meter the light correctly and wait for the right moment.

If you don’t know where to start, here are some of our favourite independent stores in Australia where you can find your next analogue camera, rolls of film and a lot of professionals that are there to help you on your journey.

1. Sydney Super8

If you are seeking that old school energy, you are in the right place. Smack bang in the cultural hub of Newtown, you can find out all about vintage film, film accessories, motion film photography, and a collection of super 8 cameras.

Not only that, this vintage paradise offers all the new film you need for your camera, professional processing and scanning for most film formats, printing and, just in case you need it, repairs and cleaning of your old camera.

2. Rewind Photo Lab

This Photo Lab believes that quality, efficiency and effectiveness define them, which is why their technicians are highly trained and experienced to perform extraordinary colour judgement.

They like to know everyone’s taste, which is also why they are different. If you have any custom requests, let them know, and they will do it! This new lab is characterised by its Exhibition Support Program providing financial assistance to support Australian artists and expand the photographic community. You can find them in Alexandria and Wollongong.

3. Beginning Film (Sydney and Tokyo)

A small business founded in 2018, they select all their products thoroughly before they are on sale in the market. Their main goal is to fill the gap in the Aussie film market, create a photography community and connect to everyone who wants to jump into the film world! These guys are located in the inner West of Sydney. However, they operate only online.

4. Film never die (Melbourne)

Their mission is clever: preserve, nurture and grow the film community. Founded by a creative team of photographers, this space and store are located at 6 Watertank Way, Melbourne, where everyone shares a passion for film photography through workshops, exhibitions and photo-walk.

Once you enter the film world you will not want to leave it. The next step is developing your own film. There are kits to get it all done in your home, but if you need that extra hand, we recommend you to pop into Rozelle Darkroom, Sydney’s only public developing dark room.

In this creative space you can develop, scan, and print your negatives. This paradise also offers film photography and darkroom classes, where you can learn the ins and outs of developing and delve into the beauty of the darkroom craft.

However, we have only one bad news about this analog trend: the prices are experiencing a consistent price hike, but analog fans aren’t bothered. The cost is a small price to pay for the beauty of film. It seems that the film is here to stay, and that makes us so excited!

A huge decade for the music industry, the 1960s saw the birth of Woodstock and the American folk revival. It was the time of musicians like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Patti Smith, and Elvis.

And the photographs captured of these icons have become as ingrained in our cultural memory as the albums that fill our record collections. These photographers could capture these artists in their element with an incredible human eye, a truly unique once in a lifetime moment.

Jim Marshall, who Annie Leibovitz called “The Rock ‘n ‘Roll photographer”, asked Johnny Cash to express his thoughts and feelings on the conditions at San Quentin Prison in 1969. They say an image is worth a thousand words.

Jim was again in the right place at the right time when Jimi Hendrix stunned the audience by setting his guitar on fire and throwing the bits to his fans during his performance at The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. 

Regarding this shot Jim Marshall has said, “I was right up close to him. I don’t know if it was planned but a few minutes before the end he says to me, “You got plenty of film left?” I said I did and he just told me to get ready, he didn’t say shit but I was ready and he set fire to the f**king guitar. The fans went wild it was f**king incredible.” 

This dynamic photograph taken by the legend Pennie Smith became the cover of the iconic “London Calling” by The Clash. That famous moment when Simonon destroyed his bass in the middle of the show in New York in 1979, because of his frustration with the lack of interaction with the crowd, due to the venue’s fixed seats.

Who could go past the legendary photograph of Iggy Pop crowd surfing during a Stooges concert at Crosley Field, Cincinnati, on 23 June 1970, taken by the amazing Tom Copi.

This picture was named one of the best rock photos of 1970 by Rolling Stone Magazine. As you can see, this picture captures the essence of life in the 70s, when rock stars were gods and fans were the congregation.

Were all of these photographers just in the right place at the right time? Maybe they were psychic and waited for the exact moment to snap. Whatever they were doing, they knew that these moments were important and would last the test of time. Praise be to the gods of rock!