|
Lomo Photography By Clarence Ip
Taking photos has become common practice as many people record their everyday lives thanks to the omnipresent digital camera technology available to us nowadays. However, there emerges an increasing number of young people who choose to use Lomo cameras for image creation in order to be different from the others.
Lomo photography has been very popular
in
What is LOMO? It was originated from the name Russian Optical and Mechanical Company, which stands for Leningradskoje Optiko Mechanitscheskoje Objedinenie in Russian. LOMO as a type of cameras was established in 1904 and today people consider LOMO as a special type of camera and the word "lomography" means using Lomo cameras for taking photos.
Hin, a 20-year-old-boy, is one of the founders of the Lomo Macau Forum, an online group which started last August. The forum gathers around 200 enthusiastic amateur Lomo photographers, most of them are high school and university students. They use this platform to share ideas and lomographs, and discuss their portfolios and experience in Lomography. In the interview, Hin talks about the Lomo Macau Forum, his experience and expectations.
What are the themes or subjects that inspire you most when you take pictures?
Basically everything I think I would like to keep in memory or something that is special. I'm used to taking photos to record my daily life.
What are the reasons which make you keep on using Lomo cameras?
I use Lomo photos instead of writing texts in my weblog. I think Lomo photography can broaden my mind. Through these photos, I've got to know more people who, although from different classes, ages or occupations, have a similar interest.
When you taking photos, is there anything that happened surprised you?
I remembered at one time I posted some photos on the Internet, which were developed with a special film from a Japanese company. Then later that company used some of my photos as their sample photos. The second thing that surprised me was using a used film to take photos, the photos then ended up with a double layer. They look special and I like them very much.
What are the differences between the Lomo camera and the single-len reflex camera or the digital camera?
The biggest difference between the Lomo camera and common cameras is the aim. The Lomo camera is aimed for fun. "Don't think, just do it." There're many Lomo cameras with different features and effects that the common cameras do not have, such as fish-eye effects, multi-shutter effects, and so on.
How do you think original Lomo photographs vs. computer-generated photo retouch to Lomo effects?
I think this question concerns personal preferences. I think Lomo is a hobby, a feeling and attitude, so I like the original effects without any Photoshop retouching.
Do you think that Lomography is a trend or not? Why?
No, I don't think it is a trend. It depends on personal preferences also. But actually, I realize more and more people like it in recent years.
How do you contact Lomo Group members in other places?
We always use the Internet to
communicate with those in
What are your expectations or hopes in
regard to the future of Lomography in
First, I hope those people who use Lomo cameras keep on "playing" and more people would fall in love with Lomo. Second, I expect Lomo photographers can create a new culture of photography. Last and most importantly, I hope more activities like Lomo parties, Lomo exhibitions can be organized.
|
