There’s a great article on the BBC website today about Lomo photography and the part it has played in keeping film photography alive.
My very first Lomo photo! Bournemouth Pier – Diana F+
It was certainly true for me – after years of shooting only on digital I became more and more curious about all these strange people who were taking amazing photos with film – whilst there were Photoshop tricks to make your images look more ‘filmy’, I figured it would be a lot more fun to actually buy a roll of film and give it a go for real – that was about five years ago and I’ve not looked back since.
Another shot from my first roll of film and Lomo Diana F+ camera – I’m glad they came out well as I may not have carried on otherwise.
Being able to buy a brand-new film camera from the Lomo website (a Diana F+), one that had a user manual and lots of online support gave me a lot of confidence in my new venture. It meant that the first time I used it the results were dependable and looked pretty cool as well – very reassuring. I remember feeling very clumsy* man-handling the 120 film; everything looked so basic I didn’t think anything good could come of it – but happily everything worked a treat. (*Actually, loading film into a Diana always makes me feel that way)!
Light leaks, vignetting, a cheap plastic lens – the Diana has it all.
It’s great fun playing with multiple exposures.
From then on I got braver and began experimenting with junk shop finds – it’s pretty hard to kill off a film camera completely, you know! (I’ve even had great results from a Lubitel 2 that was found in a skip and is held together with gaffer tape).
So, yes – thank you Lomography, you got me started on a fabulous adventure. I now have drawers full of cameras to choose from any time I fancy taking a photo (although going away on holiday and having to choose which ones to leave behind is getting more and more like Sophie’s Choice every time).
You’ve no idea how much I want to get out there RIGHT THIS SECOND with my Diana and a roll of film!
Have you ever shot with a Lomo camera or thought you might like to try? What’s your story?
7 Comments
frutina
22 November 2012 at 14:28this my collection of lomography cameras http://frutina.wordpress.com/2012/11/19/moji-moji/ it’s not much but i love every piece here, my fave is the cheapest one – smena 8m. I also love digital but the excitment when you get your films developed, well, you absolutely don’t get that with digital
Angie
7 December 2012 at 00:04What a great collection! There’s a few there I’ve never tried – maybe one day
Rhianne
22 November 2012 at 14:39As if you found your Lutibel 2 in a skip! Thats amazing!!! You’re living the dream Angie! (the exclamation points are for you, I saw your tweet lol, and they’re necessary I think)
Its funny but when I got my first toy camera (my holga) I didnt know about Lomography, but I can’t imagine life without my cameras now, especially my little Diana Mini… great post, hurray for film!
Angie
7 December 2012 at 00:05The Lubitel 2 was rescued (not be me) literally from a skip! The base was smashed in (probably from being on a tripod and having a fall). I just gaffer-taped it up and it worked a treat – that’s the beauty of analogue
Michelle
22 November 2012 at 14:45Your Lomo photographs are so, so nice.
My first Lomo camera was an Actionsampler – I think it was 2005 when I bought it, and since then my Lomo collection has grown. I find film photography, especially Lomography, really fun. And yesterday I received a new gold fisheye which I won in a competition, and I’m so excited to see the results.
Angie
7 December 2012 at 00:06Oh wow, you won a camera! I can’t wait to see your photos too – I’ve never used a fisheye
Phoe
24 November 2012 at 20:09I have a Diana Mini, great fun.