The Holga 2009 Recap - 5 things I loved

(me showing my Holga some love)

Re-cap tr.v. re·capped, re·cap·ping, re·caps verb - To recapitulate, summarize briefly; "Let's recapitulate the main ideas" noun - A recapitulation - a summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion Re-cap (Photography) - something most toy camera photographers never do to their lenses. Ok so maybe I made up that last definition… but it's true!  The first rule of using your new Holga is to throw away the lens cap.  If you don't, you will inevitably forget, leave it on, and shoot a whole roll of blank film.  It's happened to us all. 2009 was a great year for the Holga and toy camera photography in general.  I wanted to share with you the five most exciting Holga happenings, in my opinion, of the year. 1.  Holga Inspire / Holga Limited The official website for the Holga camera was launched and is run by the makers themselves. They also held a travelling Holga exhibition!  One of the most recent stops was in New York City.  Judging by the photos, it looked like it was a success! (Thank you to Christine So from Holga Limited for the photos, as well as the complete list of Holga products below) 2. New Holga Products that we drooled over (apologies to pillows everywhere) Twin Lens Reflex Cameras: Holga 120 TLR Holga 120 GTLR Holga 135 TLR Holga 135 TLR BC Read reviews of the Holga 120 TLR Here: Four Corners Dark Holga TLR Review Holga Blog's Review K series: Holga K-Series 35mm Camera with Colour Flash & Fisheye Lens Holga K-Series 35mm Camera with Multiple Exposure Button Holga K-200NM Camera with Fisheye Lens and Fisheye View Finder Accessories: Holga Tele Lens 2.5X Holga Wide Lens 0.5X Macro Lens Set (each set of one each of ML-30 & ML-60) Close-up Lens Set (each set of one each of CL-120, CL-250 & CL-500) Macro Constant Light (without AC/DC Adaptor) HOLGA-15B Flash Unit with Color Filter HOLGA-160 Mini Flash HOLGA-160S Mini Slave Flash Fisheye View Finder with Mounting Bracket for Holga 120 Cameras I had a chance to try out the Wide and Tele lenses, and posted some comparison shots here. 3. New Stores to feed our addictions Four Corner Store This store opened up in early 2009, and features a wide range of toy cameras, Superheadz cameras, and expired film.  I was lucky enough to snag one of their limited edition Four Corners Dark Holgamods Custom Holgas.  Its a great Holga, I am loving it so far!  One of the big reasons I love this store, is that they donate a percentage of profits to homeless animals.  What a great cause, and definitely worthy of support. Light Leaks Shop This store is run by the same people who bring us Light Leaks Magazine and is brand spanking new!  Lots of great products here including vintage Dianas, Holgas, accessories and film.  I am happy about this one, since it is Canada based!! 4. Events Holgapalooza The first of its kind - run by the folks at Toycamera.com and Light Leaks - Holgapalooza was a worldwide summer contest!  With tons of categories and prizes, it was a huge event!! Read more about it, and find out who the winners were, on the official website. Looking forward to next years event! World Toy Camera Day - October 17, 2009 Held every year, World Toy Camera Day is always a fun time, and its a great chance for the community to come together and share photos taken on this day. Link to the Flickr Group 5.  New Blogs / Blogs I Loved Four Corners Dark - tons of toy camera posts, new products, links, features, you name it! Holga Blog - Reviews, tutorials, features, and lots of holga photo goodness with the "best of the month" posts. Sidenote: I had the opportunity to write a piece for Holga Blog on self portraits, you can check out the articles here: Ten Tips for better Holga Self Portraits Holga Self Portrait Challenge  Photographers / Photo blogs: Blur dot Blog Blurry Thinking Cheap Plastic Goodness Go Tread Go GreenSt's Photo Blog Holgarific Light Sensitive Push Processed Salt Stained Eyes Terrorkitten There are many more great blogs out there, I don't have room to mention them all!  You can find them all listed in my blogroll to the right. Well, after all that - I want to hear from YOU!  What do you think were the best Holga / toy camera happenings of the year? What was your personal favourite? And a big thank you to all my readers for visiting and commenting.  I love writing this blog, its officially been a year since I started it, and I hope it will continue to inspire and inform you!  Long live Holga! ~Jen

Feature Photographer - Liad Cohen

In one of my previous posts - My Story - Holga Jen - I mentioned briefly about how I discovered the Holga by coming across Liad's work through a mutual friend/online acquaintance. He loved his Holga and LC-A and was a compulsive shooter. He also had a knack for double exposures and cross processing, and does some very cool double exposure self portraits.

About two years ago, he got his "dream job" (how many of us can say that?) working for Lomography. He now runs all of the direct sales in the US and Canada, so I also took the opportunity to ask him what they have in the pipes for 2010.

First, and most importantly, the photos. I'd like to introduce you to Liad Cohen from New York, and show off some of his awesome Holga panoramas.

How did you get introduced to your first Holga and how long have you been shooting?
I got my first Holga in 2003. I was in the middle of a breakup with the love of my life, and it was horrible. I needed a new hobby because I wanted to avoid the inevitable energy drain that comes after a breakup, and this was a 10 year relationship, so I really needed something positive in my life. So the first camera I bought before going completely nuts with analog photography was a Holga. I had no idea what 120 film was, or how this thing even worked. I just jumped into it and started shooting as much as I could, and way more than I could afford. But it was good for me and some of the shots I took in the first weeks with that camera are still my favorites.

Washington Square
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Seaside Heights
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What is it about the Holga that draws you to it? Why do you shoot with it?
I think it's just the unpredictability, the way the Holga sees the world. My memories look like Holga pictures, probably more than any other camera really. My mind works like a plastic lens.

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live..."


What other cameras do you have in your arsenal?
Oh, the list is far too long to mention here, but I'll give you a few of my favorites. I have 3 working LC-A's and 1 LC-A+ (+3 broken LC-A's), about 5 Holgas, 3 Diana F+'s, 3 SX-70's, a Horizon 202, the whole line of Lomography plastic cameras, a Ricoh GR-1V that I love, a Yashica T4, a Polaroid 250 Land camera (+several other Polaroids that you can no longer get film for), and my new favorite, the Deluxe Pinhole wooden camera that I'm just in love with. I also have a cool prototype camera from Lomography that I've been shooting like crazy with that I think is going to be huge. Obviously I can't tell you what it is though.

Cyclone
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Ting Panorama
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Favourite film(s)?
I've always been obsessively fond of Agfa CT Precisa for 35mm cameras. But for 120 I'm big on Fuji Provia 400X and the whole line of Kodak Ektachrome films. Lately I've discovered the magic of Velvia 50. If you haven't tried this film, you don't know what you're missing. For black and white I'm a big fan of Ilford's SFX 200 film, as well as HP-5 and FP-4. Of course you can't go wrong with a roll of Tri-X.

When it Comes to Faith
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Untitled
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Your favourite Holga photo that you've taken?
That's really tough. It's probably the 360 Holgarama of Washington Square Park because that was just kind of magical the way it happened. Total luck shot. But I think this shot of the little flower girl was one of my favorites for a long time, and it is probably the shot that made me realize that I could actually use this Holga properly.

What was your favourite Lomography product of 2009?
I was over the moon about the Instant Back+ for the Diana. I think it's so much fun to be able to do instant pinholes, multiple-exposures, etc. I think there is a future product that is coming out soon that will blow it away though. I can't disclose anything at the moment, but I'm so excited to get this product that I am probably really annoying the camera engineer at Lomography for a sample.

Any hints as to what Lomography has up its sleeves for 2010?
This year Lomography will release 3 of the coolest products it has ever made. One especially, which I mentioned in the last answer will be a game changer. Stay tuned!

Sounds exciting!! Thank you Liad for taking the time to answer some questions and letting me share your work!

For more of Liad's photos, visit his Flickr Site

Snowy Memories

We got a lot of snow on Dec 8, 2006. This year, we have barely gotten any so far, which I don't mind at all. I know we will still get plenty in the next few months! My goal this winter is to make more of an effort to get outside and take photos. Even though it is my least favourite season, I still find a blanket of freshly fallen snow beautiful, especially when the sun is out.

Have you made any photography related goals for the coming year?

The Art of Waiting

I'd like to share with you all today a little bit about a photography project I'm involved in. It's called The Art of Waiting

Basically, participants are asked to take one photo a month for an entire year. In my case, I am using a Holga so I will be taking one photo a month on the same roll of film, and using the same camera. We also submit a piece of writing via snail mail each month to go with our photo. The original invitation also came by snail mail to enhance the "waiting" experience.

From the creator: "Each month, the explorers will be investigating, contemplating, searching what it is to wait. They will seek out waiting. They will ask themselves, “Who waits?”, “What do they wait for?”, “Where do we/they wait?”, “When do we wait?”, “Why are we waiting?”. And they will wait."

Waiting a whole year for a roll of film is certainly going to be challenging. Right now I am waiting a week and a half for some film to be developed and it feels like forever. I suppose it's all about perspective though.

So, I invite you all to wait with me, and follow the project throughout next year on the Art of Waiting blog I'm sure I will be posting about it again!



All human wisdom is summed up in two words; wait and hope. ~Alexandre Dumas

The Holga Show 3.0 and other News

The Photomedia Center's Holga Show 3.0 is now live on the website.  I have one photo included in the show.  The entire set of 31 images is wonderful and very inspiring.  Check them out here!



View From Above
Chicago, Illinois

Also, one of my photos - "Wonder" - is included in the online gallery portion of the Animal Magnetism show at PhotoPlace Gallery.  Click here to go to the gallery.


Wonder
Toronto, Ontario

And last, but not least, the upcoming Toy Camera Book's website has been updated to include galleries of some of the submissions so far.  There is still time to enter for these calls for entry:

• Travel
• Flora/Fauna
  

 Deadline: Friday February 26th 2010

More Holga and toy camera calls for entry are listed here

"My Story" - Holga Jen

A little bit about me (HolgaJen) and my Blog



I started this blog last year, in December 2008.  I realized that I have not yet posted "my story" about how I came to become a loyal Holga user, film enthusiast and photography lover.  Now, on my (almost) one year blog anniversary (yay!), I would like to share this with all of you, my loyal readers!

I discovered the Holga about 6 years ago.  An online friend of mine had posted a link to one of their friends photos, encouraging everyone to check out his work.  Since I was just starting to get the "photography bug" and had recently purchased a little Canon film point and shoot, I clicked on it!  I was so intrigued by what I saw, I was inspired and confused at the same time, and I had to find out more. (More on this photographer soon in my next feature photographer post)

The rest is history, as they say.

After doing a bit of research on these cameras he was using, I discovered a whole new world -  of film (medium format, black and white, cross processed, polaroid) and cameras (holga, lomo, toy, plastic) and I was smitten.  Out of all of them, the Holga photos affected me the most.  I remember having this irresistible urge to buy one - so I did.

Then came the huge learning curve.  You might  think "what could be so hard about using a Holga? It's a TOY!"  Well, that is the exact reason why it can be so difficult.  To a seasoned Holga shooter, the little things like how to load the film, and get the back to stay on, are not even given a second thought.  But for a new user, they can be the most confusing!  I know that I had those issues when I first started - but with the help of some websites, and kind people who didn't mind me asking questions, I started shooting.  I remember my first roll, I shot indoors using the flash, most of the results were nothing spectacular - I was just happy that I got the film loaded right!  This is from my first roll - city lights taken off of my balcony at night. 



The next roll I shot outdoors, using black and white film.  This is where I fell in love.





I have been a loyal Holga user ever since.  I find that with every roll I shoot there is something new, I see things in different ways, and have fun experimenting with my photos.  I think having fun is the most important part!  There is also something about the anticipation of waiting for your film to come back that is wonderful.

I started blogging a few years ago on another site, that isn't around anymore.  It started off as just a platform to share my photos, but as I've developed this new blog over the past year, I realized that there was so much more to talk about, and lots of people are discovering the Holga every day.  In hopes of sharing my love of film photography, Holgas and other toy cameras in general, I started posting news, links, events, tips and most recently featuring other photographers' work!

I hope you enjoy your time here - and if you don't yet have a Holga - what are you waiting for?

**Disclaimer: I use Google Adsense and search, which is posted on the right hand column.  I can't control the ads, but they may occasionally be helpful to you.  When you click on them I make a small (read: very small) commission.  I am also an Amazon affiliate and may post links to their products occasionally if I find any that are relevant..  Again, I make a small percentage off of any sales through those links.  Just wanted to put it out there!  Other than that, any product reviews or links are just my humble opinion and I do not make any money off of blogging about them**

Last few autumn photos

A few more Holga shots from my Autumn backlog:


(also newly listed on Etsy in my shop - HolgaJen Photography)

Holga 2010 calendars and other new things

Four Corners Dark just posted earlier about a cool little 35mm fish eye Holga, called the Holga k-200n.  Check it out here!

My way of ignoring winter - finding some more photos from October that I haven't posted yet...



Last night I decided to create a few different 2010 one page calendars with my Holga photos.  I have this one available in my Etsy shop now!  More to come... and if you'd like a custom one, just let me know.

Click here to go to the listing on Etsy

TGIF!

How Will I Survive

Holga, Ilford HP5 film
Self portrait, 2009

Holga Happenings: Events and Calls for Entry

The Holga and toy camera news just keeps on flowing these days!  Here are a few events and calls for entry that I thought you might be interested in.

Upcoming Events

The first is the Holga Inspire and Umbrella Arts international exhibition of 10 master photographers of the Holga. Umbrella arts is located in the heart of New York City. 

The second is the A&I Photographic and Digital Supplies - Group Exhibit - I Spy With my Plastic Eye
December 3, 2009 - January 8, 2010
To view or purchase the exhibit's accompanying fine art book, click here

Upcoming Plastic / Toy Camera Calls for Entry

• Rebusworks - Plastic Camera Works 2 - Entry deadline (via email) is Tuesday, December 15.
• Krappy Kamera XII International Juried Competition - Entry deadline is December 30
• Rayko 3rd Annual International Juried Plastic Camera Show - Entry deadline is January 5, 2010

Above: One of my Holga wide angle lens test shots

Holga Love on Etsy

Snappy Holga Camera diagram hand towels by girlscantell

I saw these cute Holga diagram towels on Laura Evans Photography blog and decided to do a quick search to see what other unique Holga related items I could find and drool over... won't you join me?

Holga Camera Button by BarrelofMonkeys

Holga photo pendant by FatCats

Holga camera coasters by narchi

Holga note cards set of 6 by Emmalynne

House of Louie Portland Holga Polaroid - Hand sewn sketchbook or journal by somavenus

Holga Toy Camera Bottle Opener Keychain by Kateblack

Camera Love 8x8 Print by LolasRoom

Stop by their shops and browse around - some of them have more great Holga related items in their stores!!  Happy shopping :)