While many companies have closed their doors during the coronavirus pandemic, Ilford has decided to keep providing you with film. In a recent statement, the company has announced that its factory is staying operational. But there’s more: it seems that they couldn’t resist mocking panic-buyers of toilet paper. Among other things, the statement encourages you to stockpile rolls, but “those that go into a camera.”
The statement starts with a serious tone, after all – the situation that we’re all in is pretty serious.
“While photography is understandably not your number one priority right now, we want to reassure you that our factory currently remains operational. We will continue to manufacture and ship our products for as long as possible while we also look to safeguard the longer-term future of our business and the wider industry.
This situation is rapidly evolving and we will continue to closely monitor and adhere to any advice issued by the UK government. Our principle concern, as always, is for the health and safety of our employees and customers but also those of our supporting global network of distributors, retailers and labs. All are likely to be impacted over the coming days, weeks and months.”
Ilford has a point that photography is not our top priority, but it’s definitely an important part of our lives during this isolation. It’s a way to vent and to keep ourselves occupied. Ilford is aware of that too, so they also give a few ideas in the statement what you could do while stuck at home:
“Indeed, now might be the ideal time to process your backlog of film (at home or using the many labs that are still open for mail order services), learn how to set up and print in a home darkroom, organise or scan your negatives, create a zine or even start documenting this unique time in our history on your favourite ILFORD film.”
And now for my favorite part of the statement:
“Please remember there is also an active and friendly community of passionate film photographers and printers out there on social media so lean on each other in these times of isolation. If you are tempted to stock pile rolls, we recommend ones that go into a camera. If you insist on paper, make it the type you can print on in the darkroom. If your bathroom is also your darkroom please don’t put our papers near your backside or try to flush them!”
Ever since the pandemic was officially proclaimed, I’ve seen tons of funny memes and clips about self-isolation. And many times I commented on them with this sentence: “Humor will save us.” In other words, I think that humor is a great way to stay sane during difficult times. I know that it’s certainly always been one of my main methods of dealing with tough situations. Even though the coronavirus situation is undoubtedly serious, I think that it’s good to keep a healthy dose of humor. And I think that Ilford has definitely managed to do it.
The company’s team says that they will also do their best to provide you with educational and inspirational content on their social media. So, if you plan to stockpile (film) rolls and stay creative, you can follow them on Instagram and Facebook. To read the full statement, visit this link.
[via Kosmo Foto]
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!