The Revival of Analog Photography by Sanjay Naker

In the age of the edit, filter, and upload, analog photography provides something softly subversive: patience, flaw, and finality.

For British photographer Sanjay Naker, the move back to film has nothing to do with resisting the machine—it's about reconnecting to craft. His photographs are a love letter to process, memory, and the tactile loveliness of analog pictures.

Digital photography offers convenience. But with it can come an overwhelming sense of instant gratification—and sometimes, detachment.

Sanjay’s analog work brings back the anticipation of the unknown. The moment when a developed roll finally reveals what the lens caught weeks earlier. The surprise of light leaks. The charm of grain. The permanence of something real, captured once and never duplicated in quite the same way again.

"Film teaches you to slow down. To think. To honour the moment, not just take it."

— Sanjay Naker

Process Over Perfection 🎞

Photographing analog alters the dynamic between photographer and subject. You're restricted by your  amount of film. You think about each shot. You don't blast away—you wait, you watch, and then you snap.

This practice infuses intentionality into Sanjay's work, particularly in portrait and street photography. His black-and-white photos have an intimate, timeless, and emotionally charged quality to them—giving away more than was presumably staged.

Tools of the Trade 🛠

Sanjay employs a combination of vintage film cameras, including:

Nikon F3 for documentary-driven street portraits

Mamiya RB67 for deep, medium-format depth in personal projects

Olympus Trip 35 for unplanned moments while traveling and on workshops

He creates most of his own rolls and regularly incorporates contact sheets and unscanned negatives into shows—commemorating not only the image, but the whole process of achieving it.

Standout Project: "Half Light" 📚

One of Sanjay's most acclaimed analog series, Half Light, captures the mundane in London with a dreamlike quality. Filmed on completely expired film stock, the colors seep into one another, shadows hang, and instants fade into each other like memory itself.

The show has been exhibited in zine format, hand-printed in limited runs on recycled paper—taking the haptic nature of analog culture to another level.

Why It Matters Today 💡

In a world of AI-driven visual monopoly and digital manipulation, analog photography is a force to be reckoned with in terms of real resistance. It requires presence. It reclaims our faith in the image. It reminds us that mistakes, texture, and human fallibility are not defects—they're aspects.

Sanjay's return to analog techniques is part of a broader artistic revolution: from fast to slow, from surface to soul, from disposable to deliberate. 

About Sanjay Naker

Sanjay Naker's work embodies these trends, blending technological innovation with a commitment to authentic storytelling. His photography not only captures moments but also reflects the evolving narratives of our time.

Sanjay Naker is a UK-based photographer with over 10 years of experience capturing moments through his lens. Specializing in landscapes, portraits, and travel photography, he shares practical guides, tips, and inspiration for aspiring photographers. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Sanjay helps you see the world differently — one shot at a time.