Film photography has enjoyed a considerable renaissance in the last few years or so, but whereas camera and film prices have soared, old school neighbourhood photography shops still continue to disappear.
This one is on a busy street near a university, so a lot of people walk by every day, but the owner said he doesn’t get much custom, plus none at all from the passing students. As such, he had very little in the way of stock, just some Kodak Gold and UltraMax. A gradual fading away for a shop he took over from his grandfather, and one that has been in business for six decades. How many more years he will add to that tally is hard to say, but what is for certain is that there’s no next generation family member waiting in the wings.
Steve says
It’s always sad to see these local businesses go but film is just so damned expensive these days.
Lee says
Yes, that’s so true. The fella himself said that. A far cry from when his grandfather started out.
cdilla says
A nice find, as always a shame to see something like this fading away.
I loved the camera shop I used to use as a student (late 70s). I could only afford one B&W roll per term but the owner always took an interest and offered advice. He even repaired a crack on the leather bellows of my 1950’s hand-me-down camera after noticing light leakage on some shots. The developing cost about 10 pints for a single 20 shot roll, whatever that equates to now.
Lee says
Cheers. Been there once before but there were so many people walking past I couldn’t get the kind of shot I wanted. Getting these then and one of the owner made the visit extra special.
Those are nice memories. Well, aside from the costs. You must have used those frames very carefully.