Photofinishing: The Final Days of Kodachrome
Photofinishing: The Final days of Kodachrome is a documentary project that explores the state of a formerly analog industry of film processors, camera repairs shops and photo equipment retailers. Shot over a ten-month period in 2010, the entirety of this project was captured on discontinued Kodachrome film stock. Like many of the businesses depicted in this series, Kodachrome itself was considered outdated and no longer economically viable due to the digitalization of camera technology and the rise of online shopping.
This project ended on December 30, 2010 when Dwayne’s Photo in Parsons, Kansas - the last company on earth with fresh Kodachrome chemistry and a functioning K-14 processor - stopped accepting Kodachrome film for processing. I was fortunate enough to be present in Parsons on that day to bear witness the end of an era. Dwayne bought cake and his staff wore bright yellow t-shirts emblazoned with the Kodak logo. The excitement was bittersweet, like a retirement party for a friend you’ll miss having around.
In January 2011, Dwayne’s Photo developed their final rolls of Kodachome and officially retired this iconic film stock after 75 years.
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