THE ECHO

by Addy Bean

Social media platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat have acted as hives for popular proliferating trends throughout the years. One notable emergence from the swarm was the increase in use of digital cameras. Seemingly outdated and old-fashioned devices used to capture pictures suddenly became all the rage among teenagers. The question remains; why is Gen-Z obsessed with digital cameras?

While certain websites report that the revival of digital cameras on TikTok began in late 2022, most of our Avon High School students didn’t decide to hop on the bandwagon until recently. Junior Haley Noud said that she received her camera just in time for summer break.

“I got my camera over the summer. I kept seeing TikToks of people who used digital cameras for their photos, and I fell in love. I was actually lucky enough to not have to pay for one because my mom had two old ones that she used to use!” Noud said.

Ansel Adams once said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” This holds true in the hearts of many digital camera users. Sophomore Ella Hastings said that her camera travels with her whenever she’s surrounded with good company.

“I take my camera with me pretty much anytime I’m hanging out with friends; there’s lots of pictures from holiday parties, hangouts, birthdays, and football games,” said Hastings.

One aspect about iPhone cameras that most students seem to despise is that they have a tendency to distort your face. The focal length of iPhones differs largely from the raw camera of digital cameras. Hastings said she can confirm this mutual distaste for the iPhone’s camera.

“I think my phone definitely distorts pictures, or at least the back camera does,” said Hastings.

Another detested aspect of iPhone’s is that student’s pictures become overprocessed and distorted. Modern iPhone models use various AI-based algorithms to process images. Digital cameras allow for a more focused and realistic shot. Sophomore Reese Browder said the quality of digital cameras is much better.

“I do think that the [digital] camera quality is better than my phone. The colors are so much more vibrant on the digital camera and everything just looks livelier,” said Browder.

One trait of the digital camera that teens can’t seem to get enough of is the flash. The picture-perfect feature gives AHS students a sense of nostalgia and connection to past generations. Noud said she tends to utilize the flash facet more often than not.

“Flash 1000%. That’s the main reason I love using the camera so much. The flash makes photos, especially at night, look so pretty,” said Noud.

To conclude, digital cameras have not only crept their way back into the evolving list of hot trends but also into the hearts of their young users. Rather than worrying about the location of your iPhone, the new question seems to be: Where is my camera? Browder said that the digital device has followed her practically everywhere.

“I have taken my camera to Florida, Cancún, and around Avon. It has seen many beach moments and smiles,” Browder said.