Lomography is a subject I’ve been wanting to go over for a while, but just haven’t gotten around to it. For everyone who doesn’t know what lomography is, it’s about taking photography and breaking all the rules. With the idea of breaking rules it seems ironic that there would be 10 golden rules of lomography, but there are. It’s important to know about lomography before jumping in, because it’s a totally different way of doing everything. What’s great is you could be a beginner who doesn’t know anything about photography or you could be someone who has studied photography for years and both types of people can have fun with it. It’s all about forgetting what you know and plunging into the unknown. It’s exciting and sometimes overwhelming, but it’s always fun.
10 Golden Rules of Lomography
1. Take your camera everywhere you go
2. Use it anytime day or night
3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but a part of it
4. Shoot from the hip
5. Get as close as possible
6. Don’t think
7. Be fast
8. You don’t have to know what you shot
9. And you don’t have to find out
10. Don’t follow any rules
Pretty crazy right? Now lomography cameras aren’t just any old cameras either. It’s all about plastic cameras, and not just plastic cameras but plastic lenses. The plastic lens gives the picture a very soft look. Two of the most common lomography cameras are the Holga and Diana. To someone who is oblivious to the wonderful world of plastic cameras they would appear to be a toy, and that’s how they started. Back in 1982 a Chinese toy company started producing Holgas for cheap raffle prizes. At the time they weren’t very popular and the company went bankrupt. Although the company went out of business there started to be a lot of knock offs that went into production. The Holgas that we now love have nothing to do with raffle prizes or Chinese toy companies. Today Holgas are created and distributed by the International Lomographic Society, which is based out of Vienna, Austria. They sell tons of different plastic cameras that allow light leaks and vignetting to occur. Next week I’ll give a run down on my three favorite lomo cameras, but until then take a look at their site for yourself.
Lomography Shop
Challenge of the Week: Do some research on lomography and see if it’s something you’d ever be interested in.
Happy Photographing!
Cate
Hi everyone! Hope everything is going well in school and you’re getting plenty of photo time in. I’ve help start up a photography club with one of my prior teachers. We’ve gotten a great turn out (almost 40 kids) and I just thought I would stress the benefits of having a club. Being able to teach forces you to really know what you’re talking about, and also helps you learn more things. A lot of the kids in the club are beginners so I was wondering if you guys could come up with some topics that you had trouble with while you were starting out, or even still have trouble with. If you can’t think of any of those then maybe some of things you love about photography, or techniques that you think would be fun to learn. If anyone posts anything that I end up using in the club I’ll drop your name for publicity! I know school is hectic so I’m keeping it short this week but I’ll probably post again over the weekend. I hope all is well for everyone and that school isn’t too hard. Have a great week!
Challenge of the Week: COMMENT COMMENT COMMENT!
Happy Photographing!
Cate
Within the last five years digital cameras have become less expensive and better made, which means that more people are buying them. With these simple point and shoot cameras is easy to snap a picture or even a hundred pictures without even really thinking about what you’re doing. Since I know almost anyone can take a picture I wanted to give some tips as to take even better pictures. Below are six basic guidelines that can help create stronger images.
Simplicity: Use Simple backgrounds and make sure the reason for taking the picture is clearly understood. Also make sure the subject is apparent to the viewer.
Lines: Use lines to draw the viewer into the picture. S curves and diagonals are dynamic. Use different lines to create shapes and visual unity.
Balance: Use balance that unifies rather than divides the pictures. Assymetrical balance can be more interesting and help make a picture look out of the ordinary.
Mergers: Avoid mergers. Don’t let trees/poles appear to be growing out of heads. Always be aware of the background in the photo.
Framing: Use dark overhanging objects to frame your subject and draw attention to it.
Rule of Thirds: Try to avoid placing your subject in the direct center of the picture. Break the picture up into vertical and horzantal thirds; the subject should not fall into the center square.
Learning how to make an interesting composition takes time and planning. Write some of these basic guidelines down and keep them in your photo bag. Practice each one and then try incorporating more than one in a photo. As you become more aware of the rules they will become second nature and taking interesting shots become more easier.
Challenge of the Week: Practice the basic guidelines of a good composition.
Happy Photographing!
Cate
