Bay Bridge, Holga
Ah, the Holga's version of this camslam. If I ever want an image that is super crisp, saturated and precise... I grab a different camera. ;-) The Holga lays sort of at the other end of that scale. It is a cheap, plastic, imprecise camera that reminds me of so many important things photographically speaking. For one, it has basically no controls. A single shutter speed, a single aperture and a guess focus. In its simplicity, it reminds me that the photographer should be doing most of the work anyway, and it is up to the photographer to create something out of what they see. Plus with the Holga there is a definite sense of the unpredictable. Chance figures heavily into the equation. Without being able to see through the lens and without the ability to view images on the back of the camera, I have to, in a limited sense, toss my ideas into the air and let the winds of fate blow them as they will. As such I always come back with something other than I expected, which is always a good thing. As imaginative and creative as I am, their scope pales in comparison to what chance and serendipity are capable of. Plus I get a kick out of making beautiful images from a camera that costs less than what some photographers pay for their memory cards alone. ;-)
Holga characteristics:
1) Primitive plastic lens is soft, vignettes and is prone to unpredictable flare, creating a very distinct look and feel to the images.
2) Camera controls incredibly simple. But not limiting, rather the simplicity allows the user to concentrate on more important aspects of photography than manipulating controls on the camera.
3) Square, medium format image. So even though primitive lens, the larger negative retains lots of tonality, and even fair amounts of detail.
4) Small and lightweight, fits in a pocket.
Bay Bridge, Holga
Ah, the Holga's version of this camslam. If I ever want an image that is super crisp, saturated and precise... I grab a different camera. ;-) The Holga lays sort of at the other end of that scale. It is a cheap, plastic, imprecise camera that reminds me of so many important things photographically speaking. For one, it has basically no controls. A single shutter speed, a single aperture and a guess focus. In its simplicity, it reminds me that the photographer should be doing most of the work anyway, and it is up to the photographer to create something out of what they see. Plus with the Holga there is a definite sense of the unpredictable. Chance figures heavily into the equation. Without being able to see through the lens and without the ability to view images on the back of the camera, I have to, in a limited sense, toss my ideas into the air and let the winds of fate blow them as they will. As such I always come back with something other than I expected, which is always a good thing. As imaginative and creative as I am, their scope pales in comparison to what chance and serendipity are capable of. Plus I get a kick out of making beautiful images from a camera that costs less than what some photographers pay for their memory cards alone. ;-)
Holga characteristics:
1) Primitive plastic lens is soft, vignettes and is prone to unpredictable flare, creating a very distinct look and feel to the images.
2) Camera controls incredibly simple. But not limiting, rather the simplicity allows the user to concentrate on more important aspects of photography than manipulating controls on the camera.
3) Square, medium format image. So even though primitive lens, the larger negative retains lots of tonality, and even fair amounts of detail.
4) Small and lightweight, fits in a pocket.