Photographs Make Me Nostalgic For Simpler, Less Digital Times

It takes a week for my film to be scanned and revealed, but the wait is so worth it.

By Diego E. Sanchez

I’ve always been keen on art, but only recently started creating my own "artworks." Not long ago I got a 1998 Sure Shot 85 Zoom Canon sorted and delivered by my friends. Holding a film camera felt like a shift—not just in how I captured moments, but in how I experienced them.

It made me realize that life, like film, doesn’t give you endless takes. There’s beauty behind film because you only get one chance to capture a moment and once you do, you can’t instantly see or share it. In that sense, film allows you to be fully present. It makes me nostalgic for simpler, less-digital times, and reminds me to slow down, appreciating moments instead of rushing past them.

I give each roll of film I shoot a name. The first one, called “Beacon,” focuses on people and places that are a source of light and guidance to me. I’ve shared a few of those early pictures here because they remind me that there are other sides to me that I probably would not have paused to reflect on if I had used my iPhone. Seeing my scanned pictures for the first time made me pause and reflect on the people and experiences that have shaped my life.

MY PLACES

The vibrant colors of Mexico City represent the essence of the place I have chosen to call home. I love the vibe and the atmosphere. It resonates with me.

Chapultepec Park is my favorite spot to connect with nature. I'm instantly at ease here. If you haven't read the poem “When I Am Among the Trees” by Mary Oliver, this is your sign to do so. It conveys exactly how I feel when I'm in this place. 

I visit my hometown of Monterrey, Mexico often. It is surrounded by mountains, but then you get to the center of the city and see skyscrapers and a Ferris wheel. I love the juxtaposition--and the fact that nature is so nearby you can always go hiking! 

I had only seen pictures of the ruins of Teotihuacan before I finally got to go there in person. The Aztecs discovered abandoned sites like this that had been built--by hand, no less--more than a thousand years before their finding. Visiting this place made me very proud of my Mexican roots. The level of detail is otherworldly.  

Luis Barragan is a big source of inspiration to me. This was taken at his Casa Estudio. Barragán was a globally renowned architect who contemporary artists and architects often reference because of his use of color and his perfect sharp edges.

MY PEOPLE

What is a good friend? A person who supports you unconditionally, and if you are lucky enough, someone who will stick around for all the versions of you. We are always in a state of flux, constantly evolving. My biggest achievement in life is the friendships that I have. They are the family I got to choose. I of course enjoy capturing moments with them, and here are two of them:

Here’s one of my friend, Kenia. I met her at a park in my hometown 16 years ago and we reconnected in Mexico City, now as working adults. I love that she has a laptop in front of her, but she has the same smile and spirit of that girl I met in the park when I was a teenager.

My friend Diego is also a beacon in my life. He introduced me to the art world, but more importantly, he's been there for me through thick and thin. I've laughed and cried on his couch more times than I care to admit. A real one! 

THIS IS ME

Here I am at home with my favorite art piece by Angel Cammen (@lacammen), my favorite drink, Diet Dr. Pepper, and my favorite hoodie (Supreme x Nan Goldin). The photo was taken by one of my favorite people, Ricardo F. (Shout out to him!) My home is my safe space and place of comfort. I'm very happy here (more than it looks, lol).   

Home isn't just a space; it’s also the people who have the same effect of safety and comfort in your life. Those are your people. I hope you recognize your beacons, too.

Diego E. Sanchez is an art enthusiast and author who is clearly curious about the world around us.