“Smile!!” A statement followed by the press of an iPhone’s shutter button, the ensuing action has now transformed back into the nostalgic click of the point-and-shoot camera. Nowadays, few things are able to draw people away from their mobile devices, yet this shift towards digital camera photography is a phenomenon that accomplishes this and offers many benefits for users.
Once considered a significant part of the mid-90s to early 2000s lifestyle, digital cameras have found their way out of families’ junk drawers and into the hands of teenagers everywhere. Their multi-generational use links parents to their children as they pass on their old cameras. New technologies often widen the “technology gap” seen between generations; yet, the resurfacing of older technologies brings with it a way for parents and children to bond over their shared experiences with point-and-shoot photography.
In an interview with the GHFalcon, Damla Ayrilmaz (‘25) and Elif Guldibi (‘25), touch on the recent resurgence of using digital cameras. When asked about how she acquired the cameras that she uses, Ayrilmaz said, “My favorite camera is my Sony Cybershot from my parents back in the day, they always like to remind me how happy they are to see me use it.” Similarly, Guldibi states, “I have a Nikon Coolpix S7000, and I think it’s from Amazon, but I’m not sure because my dad got it for me as a gift.” Even though Guldibi’s camera is new, this still highlights how parents enjoy connecting over this form of technology.
Those who don’t have passed down cameras or the money to buy them new, turned to thrift stores to secure the novelty item. Since they are durable and easily repairable, this is a viable option. In fact, since nearly any camera can be used to achieve the vintage look that is so sought after, this trend can be beneficial for promoting the reuse of older items and discouraging the need for the best new camera.
Bringing life back to something old can be a fulfilling and enjoyable process. Setting up and learning to use these cameras is fairly easy: grab a charger or batteries, SD card and instruction manual and you’re good to go. The camera’s memory card containing the photos can be easily uploaded to phones or computers with an adapter. Their small, compact shape and easy function makes them a favorite among the Gen Z community that are seeking the 90s nostalgia.
There are apparent draws to this type of photography. Guldibi mentions how taking pictures on a digital camera gives a certain vintage image quality to it. “I personally prefer the lighting that a digital camera has, and I love that it makes pictures look more nostalgic,” she said. “Digital pictures are able to capture moments much better than phones, especially because everything looks more vibrant.”
The cameras have a fantastic ability to capture golden light, bringing out undertones and giving the frames a warmer look. Many cameras capture images better than iPhones due to the proper flash and larger lens. Like with other trends– such as popular clothing and drinkware– TikTok plays a prominent role in hyping up this product. Influencers continuously praise the cameras and their superior image quality. On this app, viewers can find slideshows of people’s favorite camera pictures that amass millions of views. Also present are content creators who share tips for the best settings, poses and camera brands to use.
However, it’s not only the best-quality cameras that many fall in love with. The lack of control over certain features like shutter speed adds to the appeal for many. Low-light conditions and fast-moving objects can create unique and lively pictures (see image to right). This generation has found much delight in the defective quality some cameras create. Using these for their vintage feel can create retro and distinctive images without going through the inconvenient process of using film.
While there are obvious benefits and platforms hyping up these products, what led to point-and-shoot cameras maintaining this level of popularity? For some, like Ayrilmaz, her fascination with digital cameras started when she was young. “I first started using a camera in elementary school on field trips where I couldn’t bring my phone,”she said.
Others have caught on to the trend recently, as Guldibi mentioned that she “started using a digital camera right before summer, we were planning a month-long trip to Europe and I thought it would be cool to document it on something other than a phone!” These have always been a way of documentation for various situations as they provide a refreshing escape from iPhone photography and a more meaningful way to capture moments.
The truth is that digital cameras offer a different experience and feel that makes iPhone pictures seem dull and less special. Taking a picture on a point-and-shoot usually leads to more planned-out and thoughtful pictures, whereas with an iPhone, it’s easier to mash the shutter button and end up with dozens of repetitive pictures.
Guldibi reflected on how she usually opts for a digital camera, saying, “I try to take my camera to most social gatherings – especially if I am dressing up and hanging out with my friends, I love taking pictures with them and then looking back at them afterwards.” She and Ayrilmaz expressed that they have been dubbed the “camera friend” and enjoy the atmosphere that bringing their camera creates.
Asking people to snap a picture with a digital camera garners excitement and creates a more in-the-moment feel. Another camera user, Cali Glenn (‘25), reflects on how this type of photography can create bonding moments, “When I take my camera out, people always get excited and ask for a picture,” she said. “That doesn’t really happen with your phone since everyone has one. I think there is definitely a more special aspect to the camera because people always tell me how much they like the pictures I take with it.”
These cameras can foster connection and memories, bringing people together over this shared experience. However, they are also a creative outlet for many, allowing users to explore photography further. Ayrilmaz says, “I use it on outings like when I hang out with my friends, but also just to take pictures of landscapes or items since they usually turn out really pretty and crisp on the digital.” Not only does this allow for a better experience, but it also turns teenagers away from their phones more. Just as Ayrilmaz started using her camera on a phone-restricted field trip, there are many instances where cameras are perfect for times when phones can turn into a distraction.
Hopefully, this trend toward digital photography can counteract the time many teenagers spend on their phones. Even during group hangouts, the inclination to check your phone is vital for many. Glenn states, “Sometimes when I’m with my friends, we do get roped into using our phones for one reason or another. But when I bring my camera, I think we all feel less inclined to use our phones since we already have a better and more interesting way to take pictures.”
Many look towards these cameras as not just a way to express themselves better, but also as a way to escape their towering phone usage. According to a study by Pew Research Center in 2022, 36% of teenagers agree that they spend too much time on social media. A similar 35% stated that they had an almost constant use of one of the top five online platforms; YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook.
While teenagers will always be inclined to photograph their lives, doing so on a camera steers them away from iPhone use, which can reduce the temptation of heading over to these more distracting and time-consuming apps. We have seen teenagers seek out different photography methods before when Polaroids became wildly popular in the 2010s. Film cameras such as those lessened in popularity due to the hefty price of the film. However, the success of these point-and-shoot digital cameras could last far longer due to their similar style and smaller cost.
Recently, youth have been prompted to think about the way in which we document our lives. Appearing on question three of the 2024 AP Language and Composition exam, a quote by Jenna Wortham was used to ask students to evaluate how beneficial documenting their life with selfies is:
“Rather than dismissing the trend as a side effect of digital culture or a sad form of exhibitionism, maybe we’re better off seeing selfies for what they are at their best—a kind of visual diary, a way to mark our short existence and hold it up to others as proof that we were here.”
Digital cameras have proven to be a vital tool for creating this “visual diary.” Along with polaroids and disposable cameras, they are a great way to redirect teenagers from their phones and create more special and long-lasting memories. Ayrilmaz agrees with this statement, saying, “They are definitely a better way to document our lives, especially since digital cameras feel so much more authentic compared to iPhones.”
Using these to document our experiences is the best way to freeze memories in time forever. Glenn reminisced on looking through pictures with her family, saying, “We all love to gather around and look at old pictures together. It’s fun to relive all the times I had my camera with me at events or vacations or to see pictures from the times when my mom used it before I did.”
Whether someone is flipping through old photo albums with their parents, spreading their baby pictures on the floor with their siblings or clicking through pictures on their camera from the night before with friends, photography that strays from the mundane experience of iPhones offers a more meaningful and interconnected way to “mark our short existence.”
