In spite of Paul Simon's plea, "Momma don't take my Kodachrome away", it is being retired. Thus marks the end of an era, the demise of the film-based photograph. It's not that digital photography isn't superior in a multitude of ways, it's that the end of Kodachrome means the end of an entire category of memories for most of us who are not Digital Natives, i.e., born after 1980. Family photographs, as opposed to digital prints, not only capture a moment in time; they age with time to give perspective. It's this element of imperfection that adds to the sum of the image. Even the Avon-type photo supplies shop-at-home organization Creative Memories website has shifted its emphasis from keeping your photos looking new to supporting digital photography.
Are you aware that new music is being recorded in vinyl again? And that they are more expensive than CDs? Check out Taylor Swift's brand new album, Speak Now, a 2 LP album which sells for $19.99. Why would anyone want to buy this modern performer's music in this flawed format? For a full explanation click here but the bottom line is that the flaws add environmental cues the same as when you listen to a live performance. It's the classical conditioning (remember Pavlov's dog) that creates associations in addition to the music. The same conditioning occurs with photographs as opposed to digital prints. Here's an example:
This is my family photo that was processed on Kodocolor paper from Kodochrome film a long time ago. My parents are both deceased. My oldest brother on the left is a retired police lieutenant, my middle brother is a retired school principal, and I am the baby in my mother's arms. It would not be the same if the image was perfectly clear from this memory of Christmas many decades ago.
This sentiment is captured in the lyrics of Jamey Johnson's song Color. While he is taking it a step further with black & white photography, I think the association reinforces my theme. Here are the lyrics from the first verse and chorus as a sample:
"I said, Grandpa what’s this picture here
It’s all black and white and ain’t real clear
Is that you there, he said, yeah I was eleven
Times were tough back in thirty-five
That’s me and Uncle Joe just tryin’ to survive
A cotton farm in the Great Depression
And if it looks like we were scared to death
Like a couple of kids just trying to save each other
You should have seen it in color"
Finally the reason Kodochrome was so popular was because of the quality. Professionals like Steve McCurry took famous pictures like the Afghan girl below that appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 1985:
For a pictorial tribute from Steve McCurry to Kodochrome, check out his blog where he has posted photos from the last roll of Kodochrome film ever to be processed.
I feel for the digital natives. They may never experience a situation where an old shoebox full of photos is found and a particular one makes you wax nostalgic not only because of the images from days long past but because the faded nature makes you face the fragile nature of life. Once this picture was clear and bright and now it has suffered the effects of age, just as we humans have to endure. So rest in peace Kodochrome and thank you for the memories of "nice bright colors, the greens of summers, that make you think all the worlds a sunny day". And for the faded photos that give perspective to memories and life.
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