"A movement against that fast time." Analogue moments with Nina Menzel

“I feel that the look of the analogue photos are something that can’t be reproduced. Even with all the new technology.”

We talked to the Berlin based Nina Menzel. The young photographer loves the unique feeling that analogue photography brings across and the fact that it forces you to shoot more slow and focused. A movement against that fast time. And so she has dedicated her art capturing one of a kind and youthful analogue moments.

What moment made you fall in love with photography?

The moment I first owned a camera.

How do you define photography? Archivist? Record keepers?

Photography is like an art of observation. It is another eye you can carry around and use to capture a moment that your real eyes see. That little moment that you’ve captured can now stay with you and be there for you to come back to and look at – that tiny moment in your past can now be a vivid memory. Its all about the way you see things. The camera is just the instrument to use.

In an interview you said: “Especially as a female, I want to capture how I see other females. I want to capture them in a natural way from the perspective of another female.” So do you think that men and women take different photos?

I wouldn’t say that in general. However, I believe a woman’s perspective of another woman can be something really pure and special. There is that identification factor in it. I would never say that male photographers aren’t able to capture woman in a really pure and interesting way as well. The perspective all depends on who is holding the camera and capturing the image.

Most of your work is analouge. Why do you love film photography?

There are many reasons. First, I feel that the look of the photos are something that can’t be reproduced. Even with all the new technology. No matter how many filters that can be used on a digital photo. That is a fact which really attracts me to shoot analogue.

Second, shooting analogue can be very limited as far as the shots you are able to capture so it forces you to be more focused and slower while shooting. Which leads to being more present of what you want to capture. The photo itself just gets more appreciation and worth. Besides the special look, analogue photography feels like a movement against that fast time where everything has to be perfect, sharp, perfectly retouched and in raw. To be honest, I love waiting for the images to get developed and the excitement level never gets old when they are ready.

“I would never say that male photographers aren’t able to capture woman in a really pure and interesting way as well. The perspective all depends on who is holding the camera and capturing the image.”

Any tips to aspiring analogue photographers out there?

Don’t be afraid to try analogue. Take your time shooting, try different film rolls, different camera types, and different lenses to see what you like the most.

What’s the last movie you watched?

The house that Jack built by Lars von Trier

What´s the last book you read?

Eleven minutes by Paulo Coelho

“Analogue photography feels like a movement against that fast time where everything has to be perfect, sharp, perfectly retouched and in raw.”

Where can we find you on a Friday night in Berlin?

I’m not the kind of person that goes to clubs every weekend. These days you would probably find me in a chill dance bar with friends or just somewhere at a friends place on a balcony drinking wine.

Where do you see yourself in the future?

In a positive state of mind wherever I am. I try not to think about the future too much, because in the end everything happens differently. I feel like its more stressful for people to have this clear image of where they see themselves and then get upset or frustrated when thing don’t happen that way. What I do know is that dreams are free and they motivate you. But I try to enjoy the process wherever it leads me to.