Nostalgia Through Film: Revisiting College Days in Nanchang, China

January 07, 2025

Nostalgia Through Film: Revisiting College Days in Nanchang, China

A flood of nostalgia washes over me as I revisit these photographs, each one a portal to my college days in Jiangxi, Nanchang, China, almost two decades ago. The world was a different place then, and so was I. These images, captured on film with a camera and lens that are now lost to time, are more than just pictures; they are fragments of my past, frozen in amber.

The graininess of the film, the soft focus, the faded colors – these imperfections only add to the charm of these photographs. They are a reminder of a time when photography was a slower, more deliberate process. There were no instant previews, no digital editing. Every shot was precious, and every roll of film was a treasure trove of memories waiting to be developed.

As I gaze at these pictures, I am transported back to the bustling campus of my university, the crowded classrooms, the lively dormitories, the late-night study sessions, the impromptu picnics, the laughter, the friendships, the heartbreaks, the dreams, the hopes, the fears – all the joys and sorrows of youth.

These photographs are a testament to the passage of time, a reminder that everything changes, that nothing stays the same. They are a bittersweet reminder of a time that is gone but not forgotten, a time that shaped me into the person I am today.