Analog photography recognized as intangible UNESCO cultural heritage in Germany

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Analogue photography has been successfully recognized as intangible cultural heritage in Germany. The German UNESCO Commission confirmed the inclusion and thus recognizes techniques in which photographers work with light-sensitive materials such as film or photographic paper. In contrast to digital photography, images are created through chemical-physical processes. The positive or negative often has to be developed in the darkroom and then exposed on a presentation medium such as photographic paper.

The initiative for the recognition came from Claudia Determann from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Christian Klant from the German Photographic Council and Thomas Gerwers from the German Photographic Society (DGPh). The decision followed a thorough examination by experts who assessed both the historical significance and current relevance of analog photography.

Christian Klant, head of the Artistic Photography working group at the German Photographic Council, emphasizes: "The recognition of analogue photography as a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage is an important step in the preservation of valuable knowledge and skills of artisanal photographic processes."

Analog photography as part of German history

100 years ago, the Leica I revolutionized photography. With his "Lilliput" camera, Oskar Barnack created an entirely new concept: compact, handy and with 36 exposures on one film. Barnack pursued a clear goal: he wanted to take photographs without having to lug around heavy plate cameras and tripods. His ingenious solution was to rotate the 35 mm cinema film by 90 degrees, creating the now classic 24×36 mm format. The focal length of 50 millimeters were the ideal compromise for image quality and camera size.

Despite initial skepticism, Ernst Leitz II ventured into series production in 1924 with the words: "It's a risk." A courageous step in difficult economic times. Professional photographers derided the camera as a toy, but by 1931, the Leica already accounted for 70 percent of the company's turnover.

Barnack's invention not only changed the technology, but also the way photographs were taken: spontaneous, unobtrusive and dynamic. What was initially ridiculed as a curious experiment ultimately defined the standard of photography for an entire century.

The renaissance of analog photography

Analog photography forced photographers then as now to work consciously. With only 36 or fewer shots per film, you think twice before releasing the shutter. You could develop black and white film yourself and expose the images in your own laboratory at home. Color films, on the other hand, usually go to a professional lab. But older techniques, such as photography on glass with professional cameras, are also part of our cultural heritage.

In an age of digital perfection , analog photography has been experiencing a remarkable comeback in recent years, captivating both older and younger generations. This attraction of analog photography is not due to its technical superiority – where digital photography clearly dominates. Rather, it is the sensory aspects that inspire: the perceptible shutter release sound, the resistance during film transport, the smell of the developer chemistry. These haptic experiences create an emotional connection to photography that is often missing in digital photography.

The second-hand market also bears witness to the long and diverse tradition of analog photography. You can find classic SLR cameras from the 70s and 80s such as the Nikon FG, point & shoot models such as the Olympus mju series or medium format cameras from Mamiya or Hasselblad.

The choice of film has a decisive influence on the character of the images. The range of analog film material has been greatly expanded since Barnack's time. With the start of digital photography, production collapsed and manufacturers gave up production. Today, the choice is wider again. There are different types of films, for example positive films such as those used for slides, black and white films such as Kodak TriX, which offer a wide range of exposure. Color negative films such as Kodak Portra for natural colors, or special films such as Lomochrome Purple for experimental results.

Analog photography also offers enormous scope for creativity and sensory experiences. The unexpected often becomes a creative element. Instead of perfect control, photographers can also rely on surprises through exciting techniques – such as expired film, cross development and double exposures –, each of which provides a unique aesthetic in conjunction with the subject, film material and development.

Obligations and measures for preservation

With its recognition as a UNESCO cultural heritage site, Germany has committed itself to preserving and passing on the knowledge of analog photography. This includes concrete measures such as the promotion of educational programs in schools and universities, support for workshops and laboratories as well as the systematic documentation of traditional photographic processes.

The President of the Conference of Culture Ministers and Saxony's State Minister for Culture and Tourism, Barbara Klepsch, sees the decision as evidence of the "vibrant cultural diversity and creativity in Germany".

Christoph Wulf, Vice President of the German Commission for UNESCO, emphasizes the social significance: "Intangible cultural heritage shapes our lives and our society. It connects generations, builds bridges between very different people and strengthens togetherness".

Future prospects

The inclusion in the cultural heritage register underlines that analog photography is more than just nostalgia – It embodies a living cultural asset that wants to be preserved and developed further. As a next step, the German Photography Council plans to create a platform that networks existing initiatives on analog photography. It also intends to campaign for international recognition of this technique.

(cbr)