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| Vintage Photography Trend: Tear-Off Photos (撕片) Make a Comeback in China |
Old-school vibes are officially back in fashion — and this time, it’s not Y2K or low-rise jeans stealing the show. It’s撕片 (sīpiàn), the pull-apart tear-off photo style from the '80s, making a storming comeback across China, thanks to celebs like Esther Yu Shuxin, Ju Jingyi, and Liu Shishi. And trust us, this isn’t your average filter-happy retro revival. This one’s tactile, unpredictable, and… kinda expensive.
Yep, what was once just dusty tech in grandma’s attic is now a full-blown Gen Z flex — with queues outside niche photo studios and vintage photo paper fetching more than some designer bags.
The Celeb Spark That Lit the撕片 Flame 🔥
It started, as many trends do these days, on social media. Fans clocked that a few of China’s top stars were posting dreamy, vintage-style photos that didn’t look like the usual phone filters. Turns out, these weren’t edits — they were撕片 snaps taken on proper old-school cameras using decades-old photo paper. Once the celebs posted their pics, curiosity blew up online. Suddenly, 撕片 was the thing to try.
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People started chasing that sweet analogue surprise: the anticipation of not knowing what the shot’ll look like until you literally tear it open — like a photo blind box, basically.
From 70 Yuan to 10K+ a Box?! 📦💸
But here’s the kicker: this stuff isn’t made anymore.
Polaroid stopped producing撕片 paper in 2008, Fujifilm followed suit in 2016. So all that’s left is leftover stock — mostly expired — or rare imports from second-hand sellers. Prices? Outrageous. A box that used to go for 70 yuan now averages 300, with some going for over 10,000 yuan (around USD 1,400) on the resale market.
No wonder people are calling it the “Moutai of photo paper” — rare, bougie, and somehow worth it if you’re chasing clout or a perfect throwback snap.
Studios Are Making a Killing — Even If the Pics Flop 🎞️
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In cities like Hangzhou, niche studios are riding the wave. One young owner named Xiaoshu said her 撕片 services have exploded — even though prices per photo have climbed from 200 yuan last year to 360–400 yuan now.
And get this: that price is per photo. Not per shoot. Just one snap.
Even with the steep price and the risk (more on that in a sec), folks are lining up. Because 撕片 isn’t just a photo — it’s an experience. A slice of hands-on nostalgia in a world where everything’s swipe-and-go.
Why It Hits So Good: That Soft, Vintage Glow ✨
Part of the 撕片 magic is the look. Unlike phone cams that sharpen every pore and pimple, tear-off photos have this soft, natural gradient that makes skin glow and imperfections blur away. Think: dreamy, romantic, and totally filter-free.
It’s so flattering that people have dubbed it a “beauty talent scout” — as if the paper itself knows how to make you look good. There’s an unpredictable charm to it all, which makes it even more addictive.
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But It Ain’t All Aesthetic Bliss... 📉
There’s a catch though. 撕片 paper’s expired, remember? That means the results can be hit-or-miss. Pull the paper too fast or too slow? Boom — ruined shot. Too humid? Another dud. Some studios have stopped offering 撕片 altogether because the waste is just too costly.
And while celebs might get pristine 撕片 shots with full-on lighting crews and pro makeup, regular folks might not be so lucky. Expectations vs reality hits hard when your 400-yuan snap comes out streaky, faded, or just plain weird-looking.
Beyond the Hype: Is This a Smart Buy or Just Celebrity FOMO? 🤷♀️
Not everyone’s sold on the trend. Critics say it’s just another example of celebrity-fuelled hype driving up prices and encouraging reckless spending. After all, you’re not guaranteed a good result, and many studios have zero refund policies. Some netizens have started calling for more consumer protection — and less chasing the influencer aesthetic without thinking twice.
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Still, it’s not just about the photo. For a lot of young people, 撕片 offers something modern tech can’t: a bit of real-world magic. A tactile, throwback moment in a sea of Insta-perfect digital monotony.
Final Snaps 📸
Whether you think撕片 is a beautiful revival or an overpriced gimmick, one thing’s clear — celebs still have serious pull when it comes to shaping youth culture and market trends. From fashion to photography, their every post can start a ripple effect worth thousands.
And in 2025 China, that ripple looks a lot like a faded photo with soft tones, surprise textures, and just the right amount of mystery. Tear it open… if you can afford it.