Having photos developed and printed was a more beautiful system.
Digital is convenient, but we really need to go back to printing on nice paper.
Discussion
In the dark room there are some noxious chemicals, and the fumes get in your skin, lungs, hair. Once they are dumped out, they get in our landfills. I agree with you about the artistic process being more authentic, and it is so cool to see negatives develop before your eyes, but I do not miss my days in the dark room.
I still like printing photos, even if they were captured digitally. I've never seen someone cry from a photo I've shared with them on a screen. But the gift of the photo of a departed loved one or pet, or of a beautiful scene has had this effect on occasion. Physical things have more meaning.
Just bought my wife a instant camera for her birthday.. 😁
I agree 100%. Currently the photo processing shops are far and few between here. 😞
That works too. My only gripe with these instant cameras is the quality of the lenses and body… they are very cheap.