Teen captured friends with a 100-year-old camera and the results are mindblowing

Even though technology has come a long way, there is a thirst for the vintage and traditional aspects of lifestyle. Many people are still trying to keep alive many vintage forms of art and talent that have a peculiar beauty and aura only few can appreciate. 9-year-old Aila Ru has been mesmerized by the same and has been attempting to get into the world of vintage photography. She has been creating fascinating photography with the help of a 100-year-old camera, resulting in a throwback to the 90s, per My Modern Met. The aspiring photographer has been clicking pictures of her friends with the vintage camera and has somehow managed to bring out the old-fashioned aura in it.

Ru has been practicing since she was 15 and has quite a knack for the art. She believes that photography is an under-appreciated and underutilized media and needs to bring back its artistic importance. Ru said, “I love alternative and historical photographic processes. I think there’s something very special about older methods of photography and it’s becoming somewhat of a forgotten art, so that’s what inspired me to take photos on such an old camera.” Ru posted the vintage collection on her TikTok through a series of pictures. It consisted of her friends posing combined with her skill and the magic of the camera to give amazing results. She wrote in her caption, “Nerding out so hard over this. I love old cameras.”

While the young woman has her process to get that vintage look, she also has access to the No. 2 Folding Autographic Brownie, manufactured by Kodak between the years 1915 and 1926. These have given a more professional and rustic look to the talented and effortful work captured by Ru. In the series of posts, Ru also revealed a picture of the camera along with her friend's poses. Right from the clothing, pose, and more, the pictures render an authentic look that feels like it’s straight from the 90s and before. It is mind-boggling to believe that the pictures are taken in a 21st-century neighborhood with genZ as the models. While most of her pictures focus on warm tones, soft edges, highlights and spectacular details, each picture is unique and impressive in its way.

@chl667e said, “This is the coolest thing I have seen in a while.” @jesskeo said, “These are so beautiful!” The 19-year-old said, “I really love testing the boundaries of what a photograph can be." She is currently pursuing photography as a career and has also begun engaging in small-time fun and edgy projects. “I’m currently a senior in high school planning to attend art school next year, where I can hopefully grow as an artist and pursue more projects like this.” There is much to come from this budding artist and one can only wait! Ru also has an Instagram page @shotbyarc where she features much of her vibrant and chic work which includes small-time photo shoots, photography series and more and it’s a journey worth exploring!

You can follow Aila Ru (@shotbyarc) on Instagram and (@fairyonfilm) on TikTok for more content on photography and art.