Why Supporting the Analogue Film Community Matters

For me, photography has never been just about taking pictures; it’s about people. That’s why my local film shop and lab, Not Quite North, means so much.

Walking through the door, you’re greeted not just by shelves of film, second-hand cameras, and the hum of scanners, but by conversation. It’s a place where you can bring a roll of film and leave with more than just developed negatives. You leave with stories, advice, encouragement, and a sense of belonging.

Analogue photography thrives on this kind of community. Unlike ordering film online or uploading images to a faceless server, supporting a local lab keeps the culture alive in real time. It creates a space to:

• Talk through camera quirks and light leaks.

• Compare developers and results.

• Share the joy (and frustration) of expired film.

• Meet others who are just as passionate about slowing down and embracing the imperfect beauty of film.

  
  

Shops and labs like Not Quite North are vital because they connect us. They give us a physical hub in a world that often pushes us toward the digital and the disposable. Supporting them means investing not just in film stock or processing, but also in conversation, knowledge, and community.

For me, it’s simple: without places like this, analogue photography risks becoming a solitary practice. With them, it’s alive, social, and growing.

So the next time you’re thinking of buying film or getting your rolls developed, think about where you do it. Every roll processed locally, every chat over a counter, every workshop attended, it all keeps the analogue community thriving.

Go here ^^