When was the last time you took a photograph with an old-school film camera – that kind that is too huge to fit in your pocket (unlike your smartphone), requires you to load in a film canister, and twist the knob to shoot? Probably a long time ago, right? If you are a millennial, you might have played with a film camera when you were younger; but if you are born from the year 2000 onwards, you might not have had the experience of using one before.
“As antiquated as it may seem, film photography is not dead,” says Rhay Gynn, the founder of film camera store Filem Singapore. Situated within the Kapo Factory Building at Tai Seng, Filem Singapore specialises in film photography solutions to its clientele within the region. This includes selling vintage film cameras, developing film photographs for his clients, renting out vintage film cameras, and occasionally Rhay Gynn would proffer film photography workshops.
Rhay Gynn, who is presently 24 years old and still pursuing his undergraduate studies at Curtin Singapore, has been running this hustle six years ago in 2015, when he was still a student of Temasek Polytechnic. Back then, the new entrepreneur took to local selling platform Carousell to sell his cameras.
Reminiscing his humble beginnings and sharing his insights on the burgeoning group of film enthusiasts within Southeast Asia, Rhay Gynn talks about his entrepreneurship struggles, his hopes for his startup and what it means to be a film photographer with hoolah Singapore.
Related Article: 5 New Shows & Films To Catch On Netflix in February 2021
Sng Ler Jun: How would you describe what you do to someone you are meeting for the first time?
Rhay Gynn: I tell strangers I sell film cameras. Many of them would be shock because they don’t know that there is such a shop today. Most people thought film photography died off 20 years ago when digital cameras took over.
Ler Jun: Do you see more older clienteles today?
Rhay Gynn: Not at all. It’s the younger generations that came over and who have interest. That said, I do see elderlies patronising or reaching out. Sometimes, they would reminisce and share what film cameras they used in the past. Some of these elderlies or older clienteles would tell me how seeing the younger relatives play with film cameras would evoke a sense of nostalgia too.
Ler Jun: Tell me about Filem Singapore’s background. When and why was it founded?
Rhay Gynn: Filem Singapore started in 2015 and I used to just sell vintage cameras on Carousell. I got my first film camera from my grandfather and despite owning my own digital camera, I still like the old-school film camera. I brought that film camera around and used it frequently. I was curious about how film photography and film cameras. It was super niche back then and I recall the lack of information surrounding film photography. This spurred me to want to know and learn more.
Ler Jun: So, how many cameras have you sold?
Rhay Gynn: I don’t really know but I would say between 2,000 to 3,000 cameras!
Ler Jun: What has been the hardest thing about being the founder of a start-up of a niche but growing market?
Rhay Gynn: Juggling school, social life and sleep. I have a lot of things to do. When it comes to examinations period, it can get really hectic. I am looking to hire more people.
Ler Jun: Pre-COVID-19, when travelling was possible, where did you visit to scour for vintage film cameras?
Rhay Gynn: Japan, Hong Kong, Thailand, and even China. I backpack a lot. In fact, I learned all my repairing skills from “mentors” or film photography enthusiasts overseas!
Ler Jun: Was the language barrier a huge problem for you when you do so?
Rhay Gynn: I have the help of Google Translate. Honestly, I don’t think you have to be proficient in the language, but you must be interested and curious. This makes people want to talk to you and share their insights or opinions on things.
Ler Jun: How did that work out for you? How did you bring up that question of maybe repairing a camera?
Rhay Gynn: I just ask a lot of questions. By my experience, it’s usually the older people who are managing the storefronts. Somehow, they seem to get excited whenever the younger generation probe them on film cameras. They are open to share more. I think they don’t want film photography to die.
Ler Jun: How does those interactions differ with the ones you have here? Are Singaporeans sellers more open or would you say it’s the other way around?
Rhay Gynn: I suppose Singaporean sellers are very business-minded so they aren’t exactly very friendly to share their insights. But there are friendly sellers too, just like the uncle that I patronise at Peninsular Plaza as well as my technician.
Ler Jun: What’s so special about film photography?
Rhay Gynn: I like the limitations to film photography. It’s goes beyond just pressing a button. With each film cannister, there is a limit to the number of shots you can take, you’ve got to be strategic and think. You wouldn’t want to waste nor spam the shots because some of these film cannisters are expensive. Most importantly, there’s that suspense; you don’t know how the shots will turn out to be until you develop them.
Ler Jun: Do you look up to any famous film photographers?
Rhay Gynn: Daidō Moriyama and Rinko Kawauchi.
Ler Jun: Film photography has been making a comeback in recent years and amongst youths too! What do you think is driving this revival?
Rhay Gynn: Definitely celebrities. Lisa from Black Pink, Frank Ocean and even Kendall Jenner. It’s quite nice to see this trend surfacing again. It’s almost as if film photography wants to be alive.
All images courtesy of Rhay Gynn.
Previous
