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The analogue boom fills shops and labs in the city
Barcelona is once again seeing the world through film. Analogue photography is experiencing an unexpected boom in the city, driven by young people seeking slower, more authentic experiences.
What once seemed obsolete is now becoming a trend. Historic businesses have found a second life. Some, such as laboratories that backed analogue when digital dominated the market, now see customer traffic continuing to grow. In some cases, more than one hundred rolls of film a day are processed during periods of high demand.
The appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Waiting has become an essential part of the experience. Compared with the immediacy of a mobile phone, having to wait days to see the result adds value to each photograph.
The search for a different image also plays a part. The grain, flaws and imperfections of analogue are perceived as unique elements, difficult to replicate digitally. Each roll of film offers unrepeatable results, which reinforces its appeal.
Most people who approach this world are between 20 and 30 years old. Many begin without experience, but find in the process a way to switch off and experiment with uncertainty.
Beyond a fad, the phenomenon points to a changed relationship with images. In a city like Barcelona, where the visual defines much of the urban experience, the return to analogue introduces a pause and a new way of looking.
Between rolls of film and developing, the city recovers the value of the imperfect. And in that margin of error, many find precisely what they were looking for.