The Beginning of My Analog Photography Adventure

I think many of us had some contact with analog photography when we were young. In my case, being born in '91, much of my childhood was surrounded by analog cameras, especially during trips and special occasions with my family. As I grew up in the 2000s, digital cameras began to become popular, and during my teenage years, everything turned digital. This took us away from the analog world, making us forget many of its peculiarities, both the good and the not-so-good.

When I moved to Barcelona in 2014, I brought one of my mom's analog cameras with me: a Canon AE1. At first, I didn't pay much attention to it. However, a couple of years later, I passed by a photography store that sold rolls of film and decided to buy the cheapest one to try it out. I took it with me on several walks, but over time, I set it aside. I only had five or six shots left to take, and I slowly forgot about it, to the point that five years passed. I kept it as decoration, with the film still inside, waiting to finish it.

One day, I finally decided to go out and take those last photos. The mix of excitement and anticipation while waiting for the development was indescribable. What would come out of that roll? I had forgotten where I had taken the camera or what moments I had captured. The development came the next day in an email. Some were poorly exposed (I wasn't sure how the light meter worked or if it was set correctly), and others had light leaks and fogging—that's when I realized it wasn't properly sealed. I decided to investigate how to fix it and change the seals. I did, and to this day, it has become one of my favorite analog cameras.

Analog photography makes us appreciate the photographic process in a unique way. With only 24 or 36 shots, it forces us to be more patient and to observe our surroundings carefully. Each image becomes special, where the grain, colors, and even the mistakes become part of the experience.

Another aspect I love is the development process. Traveling with an analog camera is like carrying small treasures in my backpack. I don’t know exactly what I’ve captured until I get home and develop the rolls. That anticipation is part of the charm that analog photography offers.

With each trip, I not only change my approach as a photographer but also my relationship with the places I visit. Analog photography makes me live in the moment, appreciate the fleeting, and celebrate the surprises.