From film to digital: Kodak and the new generation
Some brands stand the test of time without ever losing their soul. Kodak is one of them. For over a century, it has been capturing precious moments that we want to keep, share and pass on.
At a time when smartphones reign supreme in everyday photography, young creators are rediscovering the charm of film. But also the incomparable grain of a real camera. An imperfect but vivid image. Far from being a mere trend, this movement is part of an artistic approach. It is often the result of a family tradition, a camera found in a drawer or given as a gift by a loved one.
Kodak, true to its heritage, continues to inspire. Not only through its updated film cameras, but also through its ability to connect generations. It remains a brand close to people's hearts, but also a brand synonymous with creativity. And today, it still plays a key role in introducing many young enthusiasts to photography.
Kodak, an iconic brand that spans generations
An icon from era to era
The history of Kodak began in the late 19th century with a strong ambition: to make photography accessible to everyone. George Eastman imagined a simple-to-use camera combined with easy-to-load film. The brand quickly established itself with a slogan that became iconic: ‘You press the button, we do the rest.’ Photography then became part of everyday life.
Present at weddings, holidays and family memories, Kodak became an emotional as well as a technical reference point. A first photo, a slightly blurry snapshot, a scene in black and white. Every generation has its own Kodak image in its memory.
Today, the brand remains true to its DNA. It adapts to change but retains the essential, the ability to tell a story through an image. A true, touching image that stands the test of time.
A passion passed down from generation to generation
In many families, an old Kodak camera is passed down like a treasure. It lies dormant in a drawer until one day a child or grandchild rediscovers it. The simple act of pressing the shutter button becomes a link between generations.
Young enthusiasts often talk about a shared history. A grandfather who taught them how to load a film, a mother who gave them her old film camera. These moments of sharing create a strong attachment to photography. Kodak becomes more than a brand, it becomes a living memory.
The return of vintage models
In response to this desire for a more authentic experience, some legendary models are making a comeback. This is the case with the Kodak i60 film camera, which appeals with its retro look and ease of use. It perfectly embodies this desire to reconnect with a slower, more thoughtful form of photography that is still full of spontaneity.
Compact, lightweight and colourful, it also appeals to young creators in search of a unique style. Easy to slip into a bag, it is perfect for everyday escapades and long journeys. Every time you press the shutter, it invites you to take your time. To look differently.
Film photography is attracting a new wave of creators
A trend driven by the search for authenticity
Today, more and more young people are turning to film photography. This comeback is not just a fad. It responds to a deep desire to slow down, observe and create with intention. Unlike the hundreds of digital shots taken without thinking, film imposes a different rhythm. Every photo counts. You compose, wait and imagine the result without filters or immediate retouching.
The unique aesthetic of film appeals greatly to younger generations. Grain, soft contrasts, warm tones. This unique look cannot be replicated digitally. It speaks to young creators in search of style, but also emotion.
Connected creators exploring photography in their own way
On TikTok and Instagram, many young creators are rediscovering photography as a means of personal expression. They are drawn to film for its grain, authenticity and slowness. Some use cameras such as the Kodak EKTAR H35N, with its retro design and easy handling, which appeals for its warm look and creative features.
But this generation isn't limited to film. Many alternate with Kodak digital compact cameras, which are appreciated for their ease of use, recognisable grain and lightweight format. They allow you to capture the moment spontaneously, without filters but with character, while maintaining control over framing and light.
Whether taken on film or digitally, photos can be easily shared on social media, printed or incorporated into creative projects. This freedom to switch between formats and mix styles and media reflects the spirit of the Kodak brand: accessible, creative and focused on both memories and the moment.
The big comeback of disposable cameras
In backpacks and jacket pockets, disposable cameras are making a comeback. The Kodak FunSaver and Kodak Professional Tri-X 400 B&W are popping up at festivals, parties and on holidays. What was once reserved for family memories is now a real aesthetic choice. The grain, the colours, the unexpected. Every shot takes on a special meaning.
This comeback is appealing to a whole generation in search of more raw, more sincere images. Influencers such as Léna Situations and Mayadorable are perfect examples. Each has an Instagram account dedicated to their disposable photos. On @lenasdisposable, we follow her travels and events with a gentle and spontaneous eye. On @mayasnostalgia, Mayadorable shares candid shots bathed in an inimitable grain that gives each scene a unique atmosphere.
These accounts are hugely successful. They show how disposable photography, far from being outdated, meets a current need. The need to tell stories without artifice, with emotion, without worrying about perfection.
A Kodak brand that remains accessible, modern and inspiring
Kodak, between film heritage and digital creativity
Kodak has never stopped evolving. While keeping film alive, the brand has successfully embraced digital technology. This dual focus is its strength. It connects generations, practices and desires. Film lovers find their bearings, while technology enthusiasts have access to simple, direct and creative photography.
With the Kodak PixPro range, the brand offers easy-to-use digital compact cameras. Models such as the PixPro AZ405 and the PixPro AZ528 allow you to go further than your smartphone without losing any spontaneity. They embody this desire to capture the moment and tell a story through images.
Kodak does not choose between yesterday and today. It offers a complete experience. A photo taken on film can be digitised, and a digital image can be printed. The essential is there: allowing everyone to express their vision in their own way.
Photography for everyone: a promise at the heart of the Kodak brand
Since its inception, Kodak has made simplicity a strong commitment. The brand has never sought to appeal solely to experts. It thinks of all those who love photography, without necessarily knowing the technical aspects. This desire to democratise photography remains central to its approach.
Even today, Kodak cameras are designed to be easy to use. The Kodak i60 film camera, the PixPro compact cameras and disposable cameras such as the FunSaver are designed to be picked up and used straight away. There are no complex settings and no additional equipment is required. You shoot, you capture, you keep a record.
This accessibility is also reflected in the prices. Kodak models remain affordable in a world where everything is becoming more expensive. This allows everyone to get started, try things out and create. Photography should not be a luxury. It should remain a means of expression open to all. And this is what the brand has consistently stood for for over a century.
Transmit, tell stories, enhance: the power of Kodak
Memories captured on film
In many homes, family albums tell a silent story. Stories of first steps, summers spent together, simple but precious moments. Many of these images bear the Kodak signature. They were taken with a film camera, often with 35 mm film, sometimes with a disposable camera. These shots, sometimes slightly blurred or off-centre, are nevertheless immensely valuable.
We rediscover them at the back of a drawer. We comment on them together around a table. Each photo becomes a gateway to a memory, a voice, a laugh. Kodak is not just a brand. It is the medium for these memories, the link between those who took the photo and those who look at it years later.
Printing your photos to share them
A photo takes on a whole new dimension when it comes off the screen. When you hold it in your hands, stick it in a notebook or display it in your home. Printing your photos prolongs the emotion and gives them a real place in your everyday life. It's also a way of passing things on, of connecting generations, which is very appealing to today's young creators.
In some families, people still gather in the living room to leaf through an old Kodak album. Looking at faces from the past, remembering a wedding, a birth, a trip. These moments of sharing are just as memorable as the photos themselves. They feed the collective memory and bring different generations together.
With Agfaphoto print, anyone can create a book of memories, a photo wall or an album to give as a gift. These objects stand the test of time. They can be stored in a bookcase, brought out for family celebrations and, in turn, become witnesses to history. Printed photos are not just memories. They become a living legacy.
Film or digital: two complementary approaches
Each shooting mode has its advantages. Film offers a unique aesthetic, a sensory experience and a different relationship with time. It is perfect for creative projects, posed portraits and intimate memories.
Digital photography is better suited to more dynamic uses. When travelling, at parties or events, it allows you to take lots of shots and experiment more freely. It is also ideal for those who want to edit, share or print their images quickly.
Kodak offers solutions in both worlds. The brand does not push you to choose. Instead, it invites you to explore, test and find what suits each moment. This freedom is part of its DNA.
Inspiration that stands the test of time
Kodak is not like other brands. It is one of those landmarks that we keep in our memories, sometimes without even realising it. A yellow box in a drawer, a photo album at the back of a cupboard, a moment frozen in time. Since its inception, Kodak has been part of people's lives, emotions and stories.
Today, it continues to inspire. Young creators are embracing film. Families are passing on their passion for photography. Memories are becoming objects to be shared. And if we can print them, we can also digitise them, archive them and publish them on social media. Film and digital complement each other. It is this alliance between nostalgia and modernity that is Kodak's strength.
It doesn't follow trends. It transcends them. It doesn't just speak to photographers. It speaks to those who want to remember.