What do you look for in Photos?

Something that Joerg Colberg wrote on his blog Conscientious recently, on what he looks for in photography, struck a chord with me. 

"Transformative photography is photography that changes you as a person, that asks questions (instead of answering them). You're not the same person any longer after you've looked at it - and given the nature of this experience, it usually cannot be depleted (even though it might become weaker with time)."

This is something I strive for in my work.  I don't think I am there yet (although I don't know if I would know it if I was either) but I think its a very good explanation, and is a great goal to work towards as a photographer.  This is also something that I look for when looking at others work - photos that resonate so strongly that I do not forget them, and that somehow change me, my thoughts or my perceptions.  I love a challenge, and I love things that don't make sense, at least not in an obvious way.

What do you strive for in your own work?  What do you look for in photos?



The Ending of a Story II
"Words can fill your soul but all your pages turn away"
Holga, Ilford HP5 film
Self portrait, 2009

Holga World Toy Camera Day Self Portrait

The Ending of a Story
Holga, Ilford HP5 film
Self Portrait, October 2009

Continuing to work through the masses of images trapped in my head, and based on lyrics/song titles from one of my favourite albums.  This photo was taken with a single tea light candle in a dark room which accounts for the dark and grainy atmosphere.  I have more work to do with this song and this idea, but this is the first image that I've done for it and it turned out almost like I had pictured in my head.  That's always a good feeling!

I also took this on World Toy Camera Day (around midnight!) and used my new limited edition Holga from Four Corners Dark.  It's going to take me a little while to get used to this new camera, even though it is a Holga, they all have their own unique characteristics, and this one has a few special tweaks which I need to experiment with.

Also as a side note, this is a long exposure but I did not use my "new" holga cable release... I tried it a few times and I'm not so sure I like it, its very sticky and I cant release it as fast as I want while trying to pose at the same time... so back to hand holding down the shutter it is!  I think in the future I might purchase a Holga Pinhole or wide pinhole to do some of the other shots I want/need so I can get around the arm's length thing.

Holga Infrared continued

Holga, Efke Infrared Film
September 2009
Ontario, Canada

Another shot I took during the same time as the one posted below.  This place definitely has potential!  I believe this was an 8 second exposure.

I'm expecting some new photos back this week from World Toy Camera Day - and I've also been shooting the massive tree in the backyard, which is very colourful and is holding on to its leaves quite well!  It's going to be a big job to rake up when they do fall though!!


(taken with my blackberry)

Holga Infrared Take Two

A little while ago I posted this photo - a shot I took with my Holga using Efke infrared film.  It was my first try and I hadn't taken the time to remember exposure times before I went out so this was the only shot that turned out from the whole roll I shot that day.   Needless to say, it was worth it, and I've been wanting to do more since.

I shot some more a few weeks ago in the same area - here is one of the shots which I am quite pleased with!  I also got about 10 mosquito bites that day...

Shattered Night

Holga, Efke IR film

September 2009

Holga at the Zoo: final edition

Aside from this first shot of the baboons, the rest of these aren't of animals.  They were interesting little displays from the different areas of the world that the zoo is divided into.  I wish I had paid more attention to what they actually were so I could give better descriptions along with the photos but for now, I guess they are just interesting non-animal zoo photos!



I'm pretty sure these were all a part of the "African Savanna" area




(On Etsy if you're interested in a print)


(Also on Etsy if you're interested in a print)

And I'm not sure if this was an actual display or not, I just thought the boat and surroundings were interesting...



That's it for me!  Hope you all have a good weekend and have fun tomorrow taking photos for World Toy Camera Day!! 

If you're shooting any self portraits on that day, please email them to me at holgajen@hotmail.com by Nov 8 if you'd like to be included in a feature on my blog in November!

Holga at the Zoo continued

"Ewww a snake!"  Snakes don't bother me as much as spiders do...  I would actually love to hold one of these big guys.



A cheetah, that kind of blends in with the grass.



Everyone got really excited when this rhino came so close!  He was just doing his own thing and seemed oblivious to the crowds.  His skin was something else - looked like body armour.

I will have a few final shots tomorrow - thanks for stopping by!

Holga at the Zoo

A few weeks ago we went on a trip to the Toronto Zoo. It's a big place, with lots of walking and fresh air! I, of course, brought my Holga along for the trip! I felt a little out of place, with everyone else walking around with their digital point and shoots, and the other remainder had big SLR's with huge telephoto lenses. I was crouching down, balancing my holga on random things, and changing film in strange places. It was a lot of fun!

It was a cool day, rain was looming and a lot of the animals were either not out, or sleeping - but here are a few photos from that day, and there are more to come! I will try and post the rest of the set tomorrow.



Looking into the baboon habitat - a glass covered viewing area with a small ledge - bird silhouettes painted on the glass, and a child stepping up on the ledge to get a better view. I knew I'd get the silhouette effect when I took this, but it turned out very mysterious looking! I've entitled it "Wonder".



Along another side of the baboon area, this guy/gal came right up to the glass, where I did the crouching and balancing mentioned earlier and shot in bulb mode because I knew with the low light and cloud cover, I'd need it. I think I'm getting good at holding a steady hand! Who needs a tripod?



Snapped this shot quickly, before the parents could come break it up! They all wanted a look. I don't know any of them, I just thought it was cute.

That's all for today! Come back tomorrow for the rest.

And don't forget this Saturday is World Toy Camera Day!!

Take my Breath Tonight

Take My Breath Tonight
Holga, Ilford HP5
Self Portrait, 2009

Results from the Holga Self Portrait Challenge

When I posted my "10 Tips for Better Holga Self Portraits" on Holgablog, I promised to share the results of the challenge both there, as well as on my blog. So, for those who haven't seen it yet, here is my post with the results:

I was hoping to challenge the readers and toy camera shooters out there to try something different, go out of comfort zones and boxes and express themselves.

Self portraits are not about "getting your picture taken", they are about self expression (in my opinion). A lot of photographers seem to be uncomfortable in front of the camera, and I guess that is the reason why I didn't get very many submissions to this challenge (at least not as many as I was hoping for).

For me, being able to have that control over a photo of myself is comforting. I am alone, I have the freedom to photograph how I want, I can do weird things that I wouldn't ever do in front of anyone, and in the end I have the final say on the results. I love the atmospheres I have discovered while experimenting with low light, long exposures and black and white film and how it translates with a self portrait. It's like nothing I have ever felt before when photographing! I guess that's why I keep doing it, and why I wanted others to join me. Freedom, expression, experimentation - isn't that what photography is all about?

Enough of my rambling! Here are a few of my favourites from the submissions. I had to disqualify a couple of shots as they didn't appear to be self portraits...


"Five against one"
by Lost in Pixels
Love this shot! Captures the emotion and even though he says he doesn't like being in front of the camera - he did it anyways!


"Diana+WPPD270408. Self"
by kycamlewis
Very cool atmosphere in this pinhole image!


"Jumping Self Portrait"
by Holgatography
A great concept - very unique! Made me smile :)


"Self Portrait 1 sm"
by digitalforge
Looks like some of the same techniques that I discussed in my article were used here - I love the blur.


"Full on Idle"
by Diesel.D
Great use of a toy camera, while looking cool at the same time.


by Thomas
Love the mood in this one, very dramatic!

Thank you to everyone who did participate! I hope in the future more of you will overcome your fear of being in front of the camera. Maybe we can do this again sometime.

The winner of the 8x8 print was Matt?!



Right now, I have a mass of ideas, emotions, and visuals crammed into my head that I need to get out - so look for some more in a few weeks! I'm also going to work on a review of the new Holga wide and tele lenses.

Holga Self Portrait Challenge ends tonight!

Needing you awake, more than anything
Holga, Ilford HP5 Film
Self Portrait, 2009

Tonight is the deadline for the Holga Self Portrait Challenge - get your entries in by midnight eastern! Winners will be announced and featured on Holgablog.

"I Came Apart Here"

I Came Apart Here
Holga, Ilford HP5
Self Portrait, 2009

Following along the same lines as my previous post, with the same thoughts, and same series.

Did you know World Toy Camera Day is October 17, 2009? Click the link to visit the Flickr Group and join in the fun!