In-store processing of film into snapshots is going the way of 8-track tapes, the fax machine and printed encyclopedias.
Walgreens two Great Falls drug stores, at 2301 10th Ave. S. and 1213 3rd St. NW., still provide one-hour processing for 35 millimeter film and disposable cameras, but is expected to phase out that service within the next year or so, said John Hanifen, community leader overseeing area Walgreen stores.
“We’re the only ones in town still doing it, but we’ve been told by corporate officials they’ll phase that out here, but we’re not sure how soon,” he said.
Hanifen said he wasn’t given the corporate rationale, but the “wet lab” equipment used in film development and printing takes up more room and the process is harder and more time consuming than digital, both for photo technicians and the buying public. That’s because customers have to take film in and pick up pictures later, he said. In contrast, they can edit their digital images and select which ones they want on a home computer or smart phone and send them electronically to the store. The prints can be ready when they drive in.“Our photo managers have been feverishly tutoring our regular film customers how to convert to using digital cameras with memory cards instead of film,” he said. “They’re showing them how much easier it can be.”
Keeping the traditional of 'dropping off your film and coming back an hour later to receive your prints.' Now days you can bring in your SD card, edit the images yourself and then wait a few minutes and walla...printed images. And the easy to use factor is in there as well. So it's not exactly hard to see why printed film processing is falling from our traditional ways...but should we preserve those physical elements? I think we should.