Pop star Dua Lipa launches waterproof 35mm film camera. Does it even make sense?

British pop star Dua Lipa is best known for her hit songs, mainly among younger generations. But what could be less known about her is the fact that she’s an avid film photographer. To support her most recent album Radical Optimism, the singer recently expanded her merchandise line to include a waterproof, reusable 35mm camera.

The camera is a simple point-and-shoot in a waterproof outer casing. It’s designed to work down to 3m (10 feet) depth. A lanyard strap is included to prevent it from drifting away, so it’s made for capturing underwater adventures… or recreating the album cover for Radical Optimism. As for the price, it costs £35 in the UK and it’s available in Dula Lipa’s online store. It’s important to note that it doesn’t come pre-loaded with film, so you’ll spend extra on that.

Musician photographers

A few years ago, I compiled not one, but two lists of musicians who are also photographers. Some of them are so successful that they’re equally known for their photography as they are for their music (take Andy Summers for example).

And this is not the only way music and photography come together. There are plenty of incredible photographers tightly connected to musicians and music. I’ll take Anton Corbijn as an example. Not only do I love his style, but he also took photos of bands and performers I absolutely love: Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Nirvana, Depeche Mode, Joy Division, and David Bowie, to name just a few. He also directed many music videos, with style equally recognizable as his images.

Another example is Brian Rašić, a UK-based photographer born in Serbia, who has built a remarkable career capturing iconic rock musicians. His journey began in Belgrade, where he photographed local bands and developed a passion for music photography. After moving to London in 1979, he established himself as a prominent figure in the industry, working with legendary artists like The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, and Eric Clapton.

I was lucky to meet Rašić in Belgrade and photograph a few concerts alongside him. Despite his impressive achievements, he remains passionate about his work, very grounded, and incredibly kind.

But why a 35mm toy camera in 2024?

As far as Dua Lipa’s camera goes, its release actually makes perfect sense. It comes amidst a growing trend among Gen Z of rediscovering point-and-shoot film and digital cameras, as well as older camera phones. While we can learn something about embracing simplicity from them, it also has something to do with nostalgia (even if it’s nostalgia for the time they never actually lived in).

This reminded me of an excellent video by Gaby Belle I recently watched (she, I believe, is a Gen Z-er herself).

“There’s something warm about visiting your hometown after being away for college, yet you feel so out of place at the same time. Like you’re visiting a liminal space, a time you can’t touch anymore. You can’t quite grasp it, no matter what you do, where you go or what you buy. And we’re constantly chasing it.

Is it because we long for the days as a child where you had no responsibilities? Even if your childhood was traumatic?”

Gaby wonders if we’re averse to change, “always longing for the good old days that sometimes weren’t even that good.” She adds that nostalgia is a complex idea (and I agree).

“Perhaps it’s escapism, but corporations see dollar signs and often use nostalgia to capitalize on profits and to really tug on our heartstrings to sell us something, to sell us a feeling without them even having to try to market it to us, without having to come up with anything original.”

I’ll leave you with that. I’m not saying you shouldn’t support Dua Lipa and her work if her music is your two cents. But if you’re nostalgic for old film cameras, perhaps go through your (or your mom’s or dad’s) “junk drawers.” You’ll find some treasures for sure, and save a few bucks.

[via Kosmo Foto]

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