The Meaning-Making of Analog Cameras in the Digital Era in the Representation of Gen Z Identity

Amidst the hegemony of fast, instant, and algorithmic digital culture, an intriguing phenomenon has emerged among Generation Z: the revival of analog cameras. This study explores the social and symbolic meanings of analog cameras as a medium for identity construction and a form of resistance against the homogenization of digital visual culture. Grounded in Symbolic Interactionism, the research analyzes data from in-depth interviews with members of the analog photography community @huntingfullsenyum in Yogyakarta. Findings reveal that analog cameras transcend their technical function as photographic tools; they serve as symbols of uniqueness, authenticity, and emotional engagement in the creative process. Visual imperfections, such as grain and light leaks, are reinterpreted as aesthetic markers of honesty and rawness, contrasting with the curated perfection of digital imagery. Furthermore, analog cameras facilitate mindful resistance to instant culture, fostering self-reflection and collective social interactions that reinforce communal identity. Thus, Gen Z’s use of analog cameras represents a complex sociocultural practice embedding symbolic, emotional, and ideological dimensions in response to contemporary digital realities.