Lomography film sucks!

I'm a sucker. Why? Because I bought Lomography film at Urban Outfitters for $20 a box. In the box there was 3 rolls of made in China 120 black and white 100 ISO film.

If Lomography is truly the art of taking bad pictures, well this film is the best crappy one you can get. I'm not mad, I bought the film out of curiosity because I wanted to see if it was that bad. I had no high hopes since this film is in reality Shanghai GP3 cheap film but I wasn't expecting this bad.

How's this for bad, the numbers and dots printed on the back of the paper has bleeded through on the film! For 100 ISO this film is so grainy it could be sandpaper. No chance of taking a good picture with this even by dumb luck, so I guess that makes it great lomo film. So if you were wondering, Lomography film sucks. Depending on where you are with your photography this could be a bad thing or a good thing.

 

 All pictures taken with a Kodak Tourist II folding camera.

Thanks for watching.

Gerry :)

Cheap or Budget Lomography Cameras

So we discussed what is Lomography earlier, according to me anyways and we didn't touch the subject on the actual gear in depth. You can go out and buy a new or vintage plastic lens Diana, Volga or any other 120 camera for that matter. However, Lomography being hip these days some are a bit pricey.

This Minolta Hi-Matic is one of my favorite cameras. Got it for $3 with a dead flash. It's great for outdoor shots. It has automatic everything.

So unless you have one lying around or stumble upon a deal by chance what are your options if you don't want to spend a lot? May I suggest just moving a bit up on the food chain of cameras? Ok, way up compared to toy cameras, a film point and shoot or compact camera.

This Ricoh FF-70 came with the original box and receipt, $359.00. I got it for $5 and it also has automatic everything.

Film compact cameras are still around, plentiful and most importantly  dirt cheap. The market hasn't caught on to them yet and since they were built in the gazillions, they are everywhere. You might already have one in a box somewhere, so that would make it free and free is always good.

This Canon was a gift from a friend. It also has auto everything. It's only problem was some dirty battery contacts.

If not go to any second hand store, flea market or charity store and you will find them sometimes in bins at anywhere between $1 to $5. Not bad for a full frame camera! Some have fine optics if that's what you want, auto focus, motor drive, flash or none of that. Buy a few and it will give you some options.

Taken with the Hi-Matic on expired Fuji film.

Such a camera will give you the chance to try Lomography on a budget and if you don't like it, your out of pocket expense won't have ruined you. You say a camera like that will only take good pictures? Trust me when I say you can still screw up.

Taken with the Ricoh on expired color film processed at home in black and white chemicals.

A film compact will allow you to take good shots if you want. Some street photographers have actually started using them. Don't believe me? Check out street photographer Daido Moriyama's take on compact cameras.

I have to warn you, if you get 3 or more you might get hooked. Photography gear is addictive and the next thing you know you'll have 4 or more cameras lying around with film in them. It's called Gear Acquisition Syndrome or GAS for short.

I'll finish with one shopping tip. Bring some button and AA batteries to test before you buy when you are out hunting for gear. Try to stick with these easy to get batteries as they are plentiful and cheap.

Next post I'll deal with using film on the cheap side. Until then, go hunting.

Thanks for watching.

Gerry :)

What is Lomography?

I don't intend to claim that I have the perfect answer to the question: what is Lomography? However, I have an opinion on the subject and my own definition of it. Let me share.

Light leak or lens flare, I never figured that one out. Taken with an Olympus OM-10 with zoom lens.

The Lomography movement was started in the early 90's in Europe following the realization by a number of folks that the coming of the digital age was taking the challenge out of photography. The fact that you can choose and delete on the spot what images you feel came out right makes everyone a photographer all of a sudden.

This is what happens when the auto rewind stops too soon and you open the camera back with film still exposed! Taken with a Minolta Hi-Matic.

No more surprises of double exposures, light leaks, or other screw ups after the fact when picking up your prints at the photo store. Some of these errors and mistakes actually made some interesting images. I guess the late PBS painter Bob Ross could sum up the definition of Lomography very well, a happy accident.

Here we have the worst possible conditions for picture taking. Expired cheap generic 35mm color film on 620 spool with paper backing. The film was then loaded into an Imperial Mark XII with a plastic lens and no controls whatsoever. See for your self what came out.

The worst the camera, the better the chances of having those happy accidents. The typical lomographer will head straight for the cheapest plastic lens camera with few or no controls on shutter speed or aperture. Cheap is relative here. With all the hype around Lomography, what was once considered junk is now selling for big bucks. The law of supply and demand at work.

This was taken with a 1950's Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. Fixed lens, shutter speed and aperture. Point, shoot and pray!

I have nothing against Lomography, au contraire. It has one big positive impact, it keeps film on the map. Demand for film has increased in the last couple of years. Heck, Kodak, which just filed for bankruptcy protection, has seen a rise in film sales last year in the order of 20%!

Taken with a found disposable camera that expired in 2003. Processed in black and white.

In my opinion, Lomography is the introduction for many into the endless possibility of analog film photography. I'm betting that once a lomographer takes a great picture by accident, it does happen, that person will want to replicate the experience. They will push their art in order to learn more and that's a good thing.

Double exposure. Freak accident where the camera auto re-winded mid roll after being dropped. I decided to have some fun not knowing what would come out. Taken with a Ricoh FF70 point and shoot.

Lomography is a great way to get into film photography as it not only can be done on a budget (I'll have a post on that soon.) but it also removes the requirement or stress of perfect results. Shoot fast, often and have fun. Remember, what ever comes out is a happy accident, we don't make mistakes.

Thanks for watching.

Gerry :)

Part 2 in this series can be found here: cheap lomography cameras