Kodak & The University of Rochester: City of Light and Shadows 📸

Today I’m sharing some photos I took here in Rochester, along with a story about this city—its deep ties to Kodak and the University of Rochester. If you know a little about photography, you’ve probably heard of Kodak. This once world-changing imaging company was born right here in Rochester. 🏭✨ In the late 19th century, George Eastman founded Kodak and introduced the revolutionary slogan: “You press the button, we do the rest.” From that moment, Rochester became the global hub of imaging technology, attracting countless talents in optics and film. At its peak, Kodak held 90% of the global film market. Yet, it eventually faltered by missing the digital shift. When the company filed for bankruptcy in 2012, the whole city fell into a slump. Many people moved away, factories were left empty—it was a bittersweet moment in time. 📉😔 But Rochester didn’t fade away. On the other side of the city lies the University of Rochester—where I currently study—and especially its Institute of Optics 🔬💡, one of the top optics programs in the world. It quietly carries forward the city’s “legacy of light.” Many of Kodak’s engineers and researchers transitioned into academia and medical imaging, keeping the spirit of innovation alive. These days, Rochester is transforming quietly. Old factories are turning into art spaces 🎨, you often see people shooting with film cameras on the streets, and Kodak itself is making a slow comeback—shifting its focus to medical and industrial imaging. I truly love the character of this city—it has seen glory and decline, yet it continues to grow toward the light. 🌅 Every time I press the shutter here, it’s not just about capturing a moment—it’s a conversation with history. Between light and shadow lies the memory of a city, and a slice of my life. #UniversityOfRochester #RochesterNY #Kodak #IndustrialLegacy #StudyInTheUS #Optics