Chris Cearnal

Tape recorders and film? 

We use analog technology with the children in My Story's multimedia programs for a few reasons. First for our digital native students, analog technology actually encourages risk taking and experimentation. Analog cameras offer no preview to an image so young photographers can step away from the relentless self criticism that is their daily experience with image making in a digital world.

Film cameras encourage the kind of care and preplanning that does not exist with delete and cloud backup. It is possible to destroy your film forever. This resonates with young people and builds their connection and investment in their work.

Analog technology is also less of a safety risk for our students. With many students traveling around the city on their own, a plastic camera or analog tape recorder is less likely to peak the interest of someone with bad intentions and if it is lost it is fairly easy to replace.

Finally double exposures! The act of keeping the film in front of the lens for multiple exposures brings literal layers to a story and dimension to a young photographer's imagery. 

In layered images, a photographer can share different elements of their personality in the same portrait, create a connection between individuals or build a set in which a visual story takes place.