HONG KONG (Kyodo) -- Amid the vibrant chaos that is Hong Kong, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Young people, with film photography as their medium of choice, are documenting the city's rapidly changing landscape as gentrification threatens to erase what little remains of its historic charm.

Lam Yuet Ying, 25, took up analog photography in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the nostalgia surrounding it. "I feel I have a responsibility to capture what will eventually disappear," she said, recalling how she snapped shots of her grandmother's home shortly before it was demolished on her very first roll of film.

Most recently, Lam photographed Choi Hung Estate, a rainbow-colored public housing complex in the territory's Kowloon district slated for redevelopment.

Home to Hong Kong's most colorful basketball court, the complex built in the 1960s has become an iconic part of the city's landscape. With demolition looming, Lam aimed to capture the essence of the estate and its memories, highlighting the fleeting nature of cultural landmarks in a continually evolving region.

To the young hobbyist, film photography offers a unique charm that cannot be digitally replicated, with each shot being a mindful act that requires intention and careful calculation. "You can retake digital photos or edit them afterward, but photos taken on film are unalterable," Lam said.

The rise of film photography in Hong Kong has fostered a thriving community, with social media platforms like Instagram serving as a hub for like-minded enthusiasts to converge and celebrate their shared passion for the art form.

Lam, who started her Instagram account as a digital diary, has since achieved a steady following, attracting fellow photographers such as Henry Ho, who shares her appreciation for the authenticity of film and the nostalgia it evokes.

Ho, in his 30s, began exploring film photography in 2017, seeking a sanctuary from the fast-paced demands of his job in digital marketing. "In a world driven by instant digital gratification, shooting on film feels grounding and meditative," he said, explaining his fascination with the deliberate nature of the analog medium.

Ho's photography, like Lam's, is deeply rooted in nostalgia, often exploring themes from Hong Kong's golden age of cinema, particularly the 1980s and 1990s.

Drawing significant inspiration from filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, Ho seeks to capture the fleeting romance and existential longing that define Wong's work, making use of neon lights to emulate the striking visual contrasts found in the iconic films.

"Wong Kar-wai's films are inherently nostalgic, and the use of film photography enhances that timeless quality," Ho explained.

He believes the resurgence of film not only signifies a trend in creative expression but also enables young people to "reclaim and reinterpret their identity" in a rapidly modernizing society.

For Ho, the most rewarding part of the process is holding the developed negatives and seeing the tangible results of his efforts, as he finds fulfillment in knowing that every shot was intentional and carefully considered.

"Film has a magical quality. Each roll feels like a time capsule," he said, adding that the moments preserved feel like they last forever.

The resurgence of film photography can be seen in global market trends. In 2023, German manufacturer Leica Camera AG reported a 10-fold increase in film camera sales compared to 2015, highlighting a renewed interest in analog photography.

In June 2024, Japanese manufacturer Ricoh Co. made waves with the release of the Pentax 17, marking its first film camera launch in 21 years.

According to 35-year-old Lui Pak Yu, owner of the Hong Kong-based film store Showa, the renewed interest in film photography reflects a broader cultural shift, underscoring a strong nostalgic sentiment that has drawn many to film cameras.

Lui has witnessed firsthand the growing demand for film supplies, with eager newcomers flocking to her store to learn more about the craft.

Named after Japan's Showa Era between 1926 and 1989, the store attracts a diverse customer demographic. "Our customers include not only experienced photographers but also many students and beginners," she explained.

To support this burgeoning interest, Showa offers darkroom workshops in a dedicated studio, alongside in-house photo development, for those eager to explore the process.

The store regularly collaborates with various brands. For example, it organized photo walks during the launch of the new Pentax camera, allowing more people to engage with film photography while sharing techniques and ideas.

Additionally, Showa created the Instagram tag "#showa_photo" to encourage customers to share their own film photography and connect with fellow creatives, which has garnered over 80,000 posts.

Young photographers like Lam and Ho, who carry on the legacy of film photography in Hong Kong, embody a movement that values both the aesthetics for nostalgia and the preservation of the city's cultural heritage.

Through their lenses, they invite others to appreciate the beauty of fleeting moments and the stories woven into their surroundings.

To Ho, along with being a hobby, film photography is a meaningful way of seeing and appreciating the world.

"It has taught me to slow down in a fast-paced world and truly observe the details around me," he said. "I hope to share this mindset with others, encouraging them to find beauty in their everyday surroundings and embrace the imperfections that make life unique."

(By Caroline Tam)