We all know that retro style images and videos are all the rage right now, and we don’t see this trend going away anytime soon. In fact, I think people will increasingly crave retro-style images, largely thanks to AI. I hate to sound like a broken record, but AI-generated images are disturbing to many people. In fact, I just recently finished an article arguing that GenAI paranoia is ruining photo contests.
In a world where social media is constantly drenched in AI soup, retro-style images feel safe and authentic. genuine. But genAI is not entirely responsible. Before the generative boom, image fidelity had already reached saturation.
The megapixel race had become boring, the latest editorial trends were sweeping Instagram, and computer camera phones ushered in an era of headache-inducing clarity and HDR images that made even family photos look like commercial ad campaigns. That meant the industry was ripe for a retro-style reckoning.
Influencers are buying up retro point-and-shoot cameras and driving up prices, Fujifilm’s penchant for retro cameras is pushing its brand to the forefront of Gen Z’s radar, and there are clues to a renewed interest in film photography. Last week I wrote about the Nikon Coolpix S9300. I forgot about this camera the day after it was released in 2012. It was still a trend!
And let’s not forget that society as a whole is looking for retro style. Nostalgic entertainment such as stranger things and guardians of the galaxynot to mention retro fashion trends. My hope is that long into the future I will continue to explore ways to stay more connected to image-making beyond computer-driven camera phones and soulless genAI prompt text boxes.
If I’m right, vintage and retro-style cameras will continue to be popular as bastions of serious video production. But if I’m wrong and the retro style is mainly superficial, I don’t think it will be long before people start turning to “lo-fi” AI images. The technology already exists.
Only time will tell.
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Want to take authentic retro style photos? Look no further than the best film camera. If you like the retro look but don’t want to give up the drawbacks of modern mirrorless cameras, here are the best retro cameras. And if you just want the most advanced technology on the market, here are the best mirrorless cameras.
