Today has been declared “International Film Buying Day”. The initiative, which originates on Facebook and Flickr, aims to “send a message to the photographic industry, the manufacturers and retailers, demonstrating that there remains a market segment still worth the investment”. Film aficionados are asked to buy as many rolls of their favourite film type as they can today, and join the movement’s Flickr group.

Website: International Film Buying Day on Facebook
Website: International Film Buying Day on Flickr

Facebook Group Description

Despite the present day predominance of Digital photography over film there remains a large, world-wide following of film users. For many reasons they still prefer images created by Silver Halide, and the shooting of film remains their photographic choice.

But because of the sharp decline in film sales it has become much more difficult to obtain certain types of film and the associated processing services required. Former household names have become casualties of the change to Digital, such as Polaroid who no longer produce their once famous instant film, and also Kodak’s Kodachrome slide film. Once the byword for outstanding colour, Kodachrome will shorlty no longer be available. From next year it will not be possible to have this slide film processed, even if you had been able to obtain old stock.

But there remains a large, dedicated following of film users, and on 1 October this year we would ask everyone who enjoys or appreciates photographic film to buy as many rolls of their favourite film type as they can. We want to send a message to the photographic industry, the manufacturers and retailers, demonstrating that there remains a market segment still worth the investment.

See the Flickr group here http://www.flickr.com/groups/internationalfilmbuyingday/

Flickr Group Description

In a World with an ever decreasing supply of photographic film and film processing, we should be able to somehow find a way of showing our support for those manufacturers and retailers who still continue to offer these services.

I ask all who enjoy shooting on film to go out on the same day, October 1, and buy a roll (or rolls or sheets for that matter!) of film. I’m sure the sudden spike in film sales would be noticed and the industry will realise there is still quite a considerable sized market for film.

If you don’t have a film camera but still appreciate film photography then why not go and get a disposable camera.

It would also be great if as many people as possible were to shoot that same roll and get it processed on that same day.

Please show your support for this project by joining this group. Please feel free to post images to the group pool, as long as they are shot on film of course ;-)

http://www.flickr.com/groups/internationalfilmbuyingday/

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