文章名：'Peel-apart photos' become latest obsession of young people in China
作者：Bi Mengying
受访专家：汕头市爱家心理研究所理事长
中国心理卫生协会注册心理咨询师 马健文
Recently, on China's social media platforms, "peel-apart" photos taken by internet celebrities have drawn widespread attention. This vintage photography style has quickly become a new favorite in the photography scene, embraced by many young people and frequently trending online.
Even the official WeChat account of China Science Communication joined the conversation, posting an explainer on their official WeChat account on Sunday, discussing the differences between peel-apart film and instant film (a type of photographic film that develops and produces a finished print immediately after the picture is taken).
Peel-apart film, officially known as "peelable instant developing film," originated in the 1940s as a type of instant imaging technology. Polaroid and Fujifilm, the two major producers of peel-apart film, announced the discontinuation of the product in 2008 and 2016 respectively, giving this type of film "a sense of rarity and limited-edition appeal," reported the Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily on Monday. Therefore, most of the films used at the photo studios now are already expired.
The recent boom in peel-apart photos has directly boosted business for a number of photo studios that offer full-service packages, from makeup, photography, to framing, all centered around peel-apart photography.
Yiyi, a 21-year-old photo studio owner in Beijing, noticed the trend and business opportunity, so she launched peel-apart photography service before the May Day holidays. "It's really popular now. Every day we receive inquiries about peel-apart shoots. At our studio, appointments need to be made at least two days in advance. Due to the high demand, the prices of the film continue growing."
Only about 500,000 pieces remained in stock worldwide. Now a single piece of the peel-apart film costs nearly 400 yuan ($55). On second-hand platforms, the prices continue to soar, reported China Newsweek on Tuesday.
As some fans of peel-apart film comment, "instantly developed, capturing a real moment. The peel-apart film may go out of production, but I will always stay vibrant."
Some business owners are calling for rational consumption, noting that expired film can result in poor image quality and unpredictable outcomes. However, many customers seem to enjoy these kinds of "surprises." The experience is like scratching a lottery ticket — you never know whether you'll peel away a dud or a masterpiece, which adds to the thrill.
"We inform them of the possible consequences of using expired film, but those who choose to go ahead don't seem to mind. The vast majority are happy with the unpredictable, unfiltered and untouched instant images," said Yiyi. "Not to mention the limited-edition appeal and the sense of ritual in peeling the film apart with their own hands."
"Not only that peel-apart photo has been symbolized as a trendy collectible, but in today's digital age, owning a physical image offers a distinct sense of uniqueness compared to digital copies," Ma Jianwen, an expert with the Clinical Psychology and Supervision Professional Committee of the Guangdong Psychological Association, told the Global Times.
Meanwhile, peel-apart film is just one of many retro imaging trends making a comeback in recent years. From instant film, these pre-loaded single-use cameras to the once-forgotten charge-coupled device cameras, deemed "electronic waste," they all are making a stylish comeback, pushing against the technological tide.
Young generations are making a statement through such untouched photos. By embracing the imperfections of the photos, such as the quality of blurring and light leaks, they are embracing the raw texture of film, the authentic self-perception, which countering the overly polished look of digital editing and challenging algorithm-driven visual standards, explained Ma.
"I see it as a form of consumerism," Li, a seasoned photographer based in Beijing, told the Global Times.
From a hobbyist's perspective, perhaps shifting from a pursuit of realism to a pursuit of atmosphere is just another way to play the game. "But to me, photography is ultimately about the result. This so-called obsession with untouched or unfiltered images feels like talking about the moon's reflection in the water. It's a blurred and unreal in a sense too," Li added.
A Chengdu-based photography enthusiast Giles said he does not mind the comeback of peel-apart films. He started shooting with film and developing it himself in 2017. "As more people started getting into film photography, trying to catch this retro trend, whether left or stayed after trying, the products became more diversified. Perhaps, if the peel-apart film trend continues, it could also lead to the emergence of new products," he told the Global Times.
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