Lomography, Part I

After shooting primarily with a digital camera for several years, and especially after having one in my telephone at the ready for the past three, it feels kind of strange to be capturing photographs on real film again. The strategy is completely different. You have no idea what the finished photos will look like until you've finished the roll and get the film back a week and a half later (do 1-hour photo places even exist anymore?) so each image feels special and precious. At the same time, Lomographers* are urged to shoot anything and everything, any time, anywhere. The unpredictable nature of the cameras makes it silly to try to arrange a perfect shot; most of the time, the best images are the most unexpected.

The Diana was originally marketed as a cheapie plastic novelty camera to be used as door prizes, in giveaways, etc. But its imperfections can make for some really interesting photographs. I'm not quite there yet -- still figuring out how to best use the different settings (it's a little plastic camera, but has four focus points, two aperture settings, and two shutter speeds) -- and half of my first roll was underexposed, but it's sure fun trying!

Below some of my favorites from that first roll (film is redscale), shot in Folly Beach, SC around my birthday.













*Lomography is photography using cameras produced or inspired by LOMO, an optics manufacturer in Saint Petersburg.