Lomo Horizon Perfekt

I admit this is a dream camera of mine. To those who doesn't know anything about this camera, this is a special type of camera that takes 120 degree panoramic pictures. It uses any 35mm film (Each shot yields a 58mm long negative or nearly the width of two standard frames) may it be color negative, black & white or slide and uses a swing lens technology. Swing lens is a type of mechanism which the lens swings from side to side, a narrow vertical slit between the lens and film rotates along with it - thereby progressively exposing the film as the lens moves. The film plane is curved, thereby keeping the film tight and maintaining a uniform distance from the lens.

I know the price of the camera is almost the same as those of the high end digital cameras out there but I guarantee you that you won't regret shelling out money for this camera. Specially those who are fans of the old-school film cameras, this is something that you'd like to add to your collection. To those using digital cameras, the panoramic view of this camera is so unique that even digital cameras are not able to reproduce the same quality (and note this is not battery operated).

Photographer Notes:

• The Horizon Perfekt Yields amazing 120-degree panoramic shots
• Uses Multi-coated Arsat 28/2.8 glass for great color, contrast, and sharpness
• The Horizon Perfekts Aperature range is f2.8 to f16
• The Shutter speed ranges from 1/500 second to 1/2 second

The Day The Waters Stood Still

the day the waters stood still
Originally uploaded by me!

I've been getting some rave comments in my flickr account with this picture. I don't know if it's because of the timely title because The Day The Earth Stood Still opened in the theaters just a couple of days ago but whatever the reason is I'm quite surprised it's getting so much attention. For those who are curious, this is in Harbor Square in Manila where the Manila Yacht Club is located. I used my Lomo Holga camera for this shot loaded with Fuji Provia Film.

In Mono

They say black and white film is great for portraits and for portraits only. This might be true in a way because when you look at a B&W image, you tend to focus more on composition and detail instead of being overwhelmed by colors. For the same reason, I find it easier to shoot using black and white films. I don't need to have a subject that's full of color, all I worry about is framing my shot in the view finder once I see something that is worth shooting. Black and white is also a scapegoat and last option for me when I have colored pictures that are too under/over exposed and cannot be repaired using Adobe Lightroom, I just convert it to black and white and the problem is solved.

Water Bearers

The picture shown at the left is entitled as "Water Bearers" which I took using my Holga camera. I'm proud to say that it was included at HolgaBlog.com's The best Holga Photos from Flickr-November 2008! I feel honored to be included on that list because as a Lomographer, it's always nice to see your work be appreciated by other people. This comes as a surprise to me because I felt there are other pictures in my photostream that looks much better than this but I guess beauty is relevant and such an abstract thing to quantify.

Lomo Pushers For Lomo Addicts - Looking for Fuji, Kodak, Agfa Films for Sale?

Here are some links that sells Lomo stuff (cameras, accessories, films etc.). Will update this post every now and then.

• Living the dream
• Oh Shoot! Toy Camera Shop
• Dek Tinawin
• Lomo Flavors
• HolGAlore & More
• TuesdaysJAP
• Everything Lomo
• FILMS. FILMS. FILMS!!!

Have fun shopping! :)

LOMO Tips on Shooting with the Holga #1: Sunny days are the best days

As much as possible shoot during a sunny day. Overcast skies and indoors are not really conducive to Holga shooting since the Holga has a fix shutter speed of 1/100 (the length of time that the aperture stays open). But if you like shooting using colorsplash flash and always have a tripod beside you then by all means shoot in ambient or minimal light.

In my experience of using this camera, most of the best pictures I've taken were shot when the sun is high up in the sky. If you want the colors to pop-out and have crazy vignettes on the sides (like the image on the right), then daylight shooting is the way to go.

My Dream Pet

awww
Originally uploaded by golfpunkgirl

I'm just in "awww" of this picture. I've always dreamed of having a British Bulldog as a pet. I like how ugly they are and the way they walk is just so awkwardly cute. :)

We've All Been Here Before

We've All Been Here Before
Originally uploaded by brix99

We've all been here before
and felt how life is like a pendulum.
Back and forth we go,
we let time pass us by.

On the horizon we sail...

On the horizon we sail...
Originally uploaded by brix99

Those little lights you can see on the horizon are lights coming from fishermen's boats. This was shot around 7:00PM using my Olympus XA2 mounted on a tripod. I loved how the blues and greens came out (as expected from an Elitechrome). I hope to shoot more night time pics in the future. :)

LOMO : Part 1 of Many to come...

The first time I saw a lomo picture I was blown away with the saturation, grunge feel and spontaneity. A year later here I am blogging about this addiction of mine. My first and only official LSI (Lomographic Society International) camera is the Holga CFN which I bought almost a year ago from Jennie a certified "lomo pusher". The first rolls I took was my first date with my GF and what a memorable day that was). So enough of the history lessons... Let's start with the #1 FAQ: What is LOMO? Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-filter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique. (Source: Wikipedia). I can say that LOMO is also a lifestyle not just the pictures itself. You get to appreciate the LO-FI aspects of photography. I've never been a big fanboy of digital pictures and overpriced digital cameras since I find it too artificial compared to the organic feel of Films and not even photoshop can replicate what film can do. That is more than enough reason to stimulate the artistic side of me. That's it for now... more about LOMO in my next posts.