HolgaJen's 2026 Holga Week

 A few of my Holga locations from this week.  Only two days are left if you want to participate in Holga Week!  Happy Shooting! 

~Jen

Holga Week 2026

Holga Week is next week!  Do you have any plans?   I've got a few of my Holga cameras and accessories ready to go along with some 120 film.  It's been a while since I've shot anything for Holga week and I'm looking forward to it!  

Here's the link to the website: https://holgaweek.com/

Happy Holga-ing!
~Jen

Holga Week Winners

Did you all get a chance to see the Holga Week 2017 winners?   If not, head over to the Holgaweek website and check it out!

"Stop Right Here" By J.M. Golding

Call for Entry; YOUR Favorite Holga Photo - 2016 Edition

Send me your one Favorite Holga shot that you took in 2016 and at the end of the year I will publish a post here with everyone's photos.

Requirements:

• Send only ONE Holga photo, at 700 pixels on the longest edge, 72dpi, jpg format that you shot in 2016
• Send to jen@holgajen.com with "Holga 2016" as the subject line
• In the body of the email list your name, location, title of image, Holga products and film used, and your website (optional) and a short caption of the story behind the photo and why it is your Favorite. 
• Title the file with firstname_lastname.jpg
• Deadline for submissions is December 22, 2016 at midnight EST

I look forward to seeing everyone's work and sharing them with you all!  The post will be published on December 30.  All photos will be published!

Holga Week Winners and Upcoming Events

Did you all get a chance to check out the winners of this year's Holga Week contest?

Melissa Federowicz "The Universes Below"

If not, head over to the Holga Week blog to check all of them out!!  Huge thank you to our sponsors for this event!! Please show them some love as well :)  

I currently have a stock pile of film that I've shot this year with my Holga and I haven't had a chance to get it developed yet.  Who knows when that will happen but in the mean time I am also posting over on my personal blog with non-Holga work and updates on my shop  and local shows.  If you are interested in following along with me over there you can visit the blog here: Jennifer Henriksen Photography

Upcoming Events:

2017 International Krappy Kamera® Competition 

Submission Deadline: January 8, 2017
Exhibition: March 8–April 1, 2017                
Reception: March 7,2017 6–8pm  

This year’s juror, Russell Joslin, is the sole editor and publisher of SHOTS Magazine, an independent, reader-supported quarterly journal of fine art photography that reaches an international audience.

Holga Week Update and Pinhole/Plastic Camera Contest from B&W Mag

Hey Guys!

I know it's been a while since I updated this blog, and I apologize.  I wanted to quickly update that the Holga Week contest is closed and winners will be announced in the upcoming weeks.  The photos will also be uploaded to the website in the same time frame. Stay tuned!

There is also an upcoming entry opportunity for plastic camera and pinhole camera shooters from Black and White Magazine.

Pinhole/Plastic Camera Imagery: When it comes to analog photography, there’s nothing quite as much fun as going lo-fi with pinhole cameras and plastic cameras like the Holga, Diana and Lomo. The supposed “defects” of these cameras — light leaks, soft focus, vignetting, diffraction — open up a whole new level of creative possibilities for the adventurous photographer. Submit your best pinhole/plastic camera photo and share your vision with the world. 
Entry Specifications: Open to black-and-white images made with any type of plastic or pinhole camera.

See this link for more details

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and shot a lot of Holga images! I look forward to seeing all of the ones submitted to Holga Week!

Jen

Current Holga and Toy Camera Submission Opportunities

If you are looking for some great submission opportunities for your Holga or other toy camera images, consider submitting to these two shows below.  Both have been running annual events for many years now and are great ways to get exposure for your work, support the galleries, and learn about other artists who are doing the same!

Lightbox Photographic Gallery
Plastic Fantastic Show VII
Juror: Susan Burnstine
Deadline: May 8, 2016
Click Here for more information

Nave Gallery
2016 Somerville Toy Camera Festival
Juror: Christopher James
Deadline: June 15, 2016
Click Here for more information

TCC Photo Gallery
6th Annual Holga & Friends Out of the Box
Juror: Harvey Stein
Deadline: July 28, 2016
Click Here for more information

Call for Entry: Your Favorite Holga Photo of 2015

With the sad news of the Holga factory closure last week, I wanted to do something to lift everyone's spirits, including mine, and celebrate the Holga camera and those that love it! Let's send this year off on a good note by sharing our Favorite Holga photo from this past year

Send me your one Favorite Holga shot that you took in 2015 and at the end of the year I will publish a post here with everyone's photos.

Requirements:

• Send only ONE Holga photo, at 700 pixels on the longest edge, 72dpi, jpg format that you shot in 2015
• Send to jen@holgajen.com with "Holga 2015" as the subject line
• In the body of the email list your name, location, title of image, Holga products and film used, and your website (optional) and a short caption of the story behind the photo and why it is your Favorite. 
• Title the file with firstname_lastname.jpg
• Deadline for submissions is December 17, 2015 at midnight EST

I look forward to seeing everyone's work and sharing them with you all!  The post will be published on December 30.  All photos will be published!

~ HolgaJen

Breaking News: Holga Factory Closure

It's a sad time for Holga fans (including myself) as we received notice this week of the Holga factory closing its doors.  I have heard from a few different sources of this news and it doesn't sound promising.  Here are some links and information about the factory closure news.

From Freestyle Photographic Supplies

"Freestyle Photographic announced today that the factory that produces Holga Cameras has ceased operations and will no longer be producing these Cameras and accessories...
According the factory spokesperson in China, “…all Holga tooling has already been thrown away and there is nothing available for sale.”  Inventory is still available throughout the United States and around the world, but as units sell out, they will be no longer available." 

From HolgaMods Facebook Page

"... they have now confirmed that, before giving us an opportunity to save them, they have sent all of the tooling and molds to the scrapyard.
If Holga is ever reborn, it will be from scratch; and, as the company with the most knowledge on the sales trends of these cameras, we just don't see that happening..."


I've heard that it wasn't just Holga that shut down, other factories by the same maker were also shut down in that location, so it is probably not due to lack of sales or popularity, but due to some other reasons beyond their control.  In any case, I'm sorry I had to post this. 

My blog will continue to spread the Holga love, as Holgas now become more precious than ever and we can cherish them and their quirkiness even more!  If you own one, take good care of it, and if you don't now is the time to get one before they all sell out!

The Holga was my intro into the film and fine art world of photography and it will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I have been using one for over 10 years, and I will continue to do so for as long as I possibly can!

I will update this post if any further information becomes available.

HolgaJen

World Toy Camera Day 2015!

I'm a little late to the blog with this but this Saturday is World Toy Camera Day!  As die hard fans will know, it is always the third Saturday in October. 

So, gather your toys, bust out the film and pray that it doesn't rain!  Share your photos in the Flickr and Facebook groups below!

Join the Flickr Group here

Join the Facebook Group here


Happy Shooting!!

The London Fringe Festival

Select pieces of my work will be available for viewing and purchase at the 2015 London Fringe Festival in London, Ontario. The Visual Fringe is displayed at The Arts Project and the opening reception is June 3 from 7-9 pm!  I hope you will stop by and check it out if you are in the area!

Holga Week 2015 is Coming!

Now that things are starting to thaw and spring is just around the corner (yay!)  it's time to start thinking about HOLGA WEEK!  (watch for the big announcement on the site coming soon!)

I had so much fun doing Holga Week last year that I'm ready to do it all again!  How about you?  Well, I'd like your input on a few things...

• Do you think we should have a theme? 
• Or categories? If so, what would be your suggestions?  (Visit the Holga Week blog to cast your votes!)
• Who would you like to see as one of the judges for Holga Week?

Leave your answers in the comments, or Tweet me @HolgaWeek (and use #HolgaWeek), Facebook me, or Email me.

Let me know your thoughts!

**ps: I would really appreciate donations to help keep the site up and running!  The link to donate is in the right column of my blog. Or on the Holga Week About Page.  Thank you in advance!**

Current Toy Camera Calls For Entry

Don't forget to enter these two well known shows for a chance to have your toy camera work shown in one of these great galleries!

Plastic Fantastic
Lightbox Photographic Gallery
Deadline: May 11, 2015


LightBox is pleased to announce the call for submissions for the 6th annual Plastic Fantastic Show. We wish to stay true to pure film photography using plastic, pinhole, box or homemade cameras. No digital photography will be considered. LightBox appreciates photographic images made with plastic “toy” cameras and established this show to celebrate the gallery’s anniversary every year.

LightBox is very honored to have Susan Burnstine as juror once again for the Plastic Fantastic Show. Susan is an award winning professional fine art photographer based in Los Angeles who builds homemade cameras and lenses primarily made out of plastic, vintage camera parts and random household objects. Susan is represented in galleries across the world, her images are mesmerizing and dreamlike, using film with the purity of the process as a vital element, without relying on digital processing.

Click here for more information


Curious Camera
ArtsEye Gallery / Photographic Works
Deadline: April 5, 2015

The Curious Camera Event is a friendly competition calling on artists worldwide to embrace the unpredictability and fascination of photography using their favorite cameras. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place winners will receive a camera, film and a trophy they can proudly display. Winners will be featured in our gallery exhibition.

Click here for more information

Ilford Film Survey and New Call for Entries

Hey Everyone!  Ilford Photo is running a survey for those who use film.  Please follow this link and help them out if you shoot film!

Ilford It's All About Film Survey


As well, two of the biggest and most well known international toy camera shows are now open and accepting entries.  Follow the links below for more information and to enter your best work!

Soho Photo 2015 Krappy Kamera Competition

Deadline: December 4, 2014            

This year’s juror, Miriam Leuchter, is the editor-in-chief of Popular Photography Magazine and is responsible for the magazine’s expansion into digital editions, mobile apps, books and DVDs.  Leuchter is also the editor-in-chief of American Photo Magazine and serves as a board member of the Josephine Herrick Project.  During her career as a journalist and photographer, she has had work published and exhibited in newspapers, magazines and galleries in the United States and Europe.  She has also juried many international competitions.

http://www.sohophoto.com/participate/competitions/krappy-kamera/ 

Rayko Photo 8th Annual International Juried Plastic Camera Show

Deadline: January 10, 2015

Juror: Ann Jastrab is currently the Gallery Director at RayKo Photo Center. The RayKo Gallery offers over 1600 square feet of exhibition space and presents eight to ten shows annually featuring many nationally recognized artists.  Ann regularly participates as a juror and reviewer for a multitude of organizations:  the Seoul International Photo Festival, GuatePhoto, Fotofest, Photolucida, Review Santa Fe, Review LA, PhotoAlliance, Palm Springs Photo Festival, SPE, Filter, Medium, the Center for Fine Art Photography, the SFAC, the Academy of Art in SF, Artspan, SFAI, Click646, and Critical Mass. She has also been teaching at the Maine Photographic Workshops (now Maine Media Workshops) since 1994.

http://raykophotocenter.com/call-for-entry-b/ 

And I leave you with a new, but not so new, Holga photo that I discovered this weekend in my archives and realized I hadn't shared it anywhere.

 "Abandoned Memories" - Holga double exposure.

Thanks for stopping by!

World Toy Camera Day Is...

Hey Everyone!

World Toy Camera Day is fast approaching!  Typically it is held annually on the third Saturday of October.  This year it will be October 18, 2014.  So stock up on film and dust off your toys!

Join in on the fun and share your photos in the following ways:

WTCD Facebook Group

WTCD Flickr Group

Tag your photos with #WTCD2014 on Twitter.

Happy shooting!

Jen

And the Holga Week Winners Are...

I am excited to announce the winners for Holga Week 2014! (The Holga Week blog is not cooperating right now so I am posting these here for the time being).

As you know, there were three judges - Michelle Bates, Christine So from Holga Inspire, and myself, HolgaJen. Each judge picked one winner who will receive a prize from Holga Inspire (winners - check your email!). We also each picked two "honorable mentions" because there were so many great photos submitted, it was hard to choose just one! Both the winners, and the honorable mentions will have a chance to have their Holga work featured on The Holga Darkroom blog (this blog!). I will be in touch with each of you soon to arrange this if you are interested.

And now, for the photos!

Judge: Michelle Bates

Winner:
Artist Name: Ross Togashi
Location: Honolulu, Hawai‘i USA
Title: Paradise Seat
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N converted to a self-made "Pinholga" pinhole camera.
Website: www.flickr.com/people/36exposures

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Kendra Laflin
Location: Austin, TX
Title: Texas Rosebush
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N
Website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/triana/

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Ozan Mutlu Dursun
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Title: Swallow 2
Holga Products Used: Holga 120 GCFN
Website: www.ozanmutludursun.com

Judge: Holga Inspire

Winner:
Artist Name: Frau Inga (Inge van Leipsig)
Location: Rotterdam
Title: The love locks horseman
Holga products used: Holga 120 GN Kodak E100G cross processed
Website: www.light-camera-inga.com

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Ross Togashi
Location: Honolulu, Hawai‘i USA
Title: Paradise Seat
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N converted to a self-made "Pinholga" pinhole camera.
Website: www.flickr.com/people/36exposures

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Ross Togashi
Location: Honolulu, Hawai‘i USA
Title: Stream Dream
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N converted to a self-made "Pinholgaroid" pinhole camera.
Website: www.flickr.com/people/36exposures

Judge: Jennifer Henriksen (HolgaJen)

Winner:
Artist Name: Kathi Bondzio
Location: Solingen, Germany
Title: Apple
Holga products used: Holga 120 FN, Holga Close-Up Lens CL-120 (120mm)
Website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/some-keepsakes/

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Shane Appleby
Location: Lynbridge, Devon, UK
Title: Untitled
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N, Double exposure using Fujifilm Acros 100. Home developed in R09 (Rodinal)

Honorable Mention:
Artist Name: Katherine Heck
Location: Davis, California, USA
Title: Clouds and shadows
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N (Holgawood) and Portra 120 film

Because judging was done blind (no names were seen) and we had a bit of overlap in the photos chosen during judging, I have chosen an extra honorable mention

Artist Name: Simon Le Boulh
Location: Christchurch- New Zealand
Title: The way
Holga Products Used: Holga 120N
Website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slvrspn/

Thank you to everyone who participated - Holga Week 2014 was a great success and I hope to do it again next year!  If you would like to contribute to help keep the Holga Week website running, small donations are appreciated.  The link is on the top right column of this blog or on the Holga Week About page.

Jen

Holga Giveaway! Enter to Win a Photo Print from HolgaJen

I haven't done one of these in a while!  If you'd like to win a 8x8 (inch) photo print of my Holga photo "Revelstoke Reflections" please enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Survey for Holga and Diana Photographers

I received this email today and wanted to share it with you all - please fill out the survey if you are a Holga and/or Diana shooter!  Sounds very interesting!

"I am currently working on a PhD Study at the University of the West of England, Bristol, England, which is looking at the aesthetic of original Diana and Holga cameras and the motivations for using these cameras.

Part of the research for this study involves a data collection questionnaire aimed at photographers who use these cameras, and I was wondering whether it would be possible for you to put up a link to this survey on your holga blog in order to increase the visability of this request to its target audience."

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/plasticlensphotography

Thanks everyone!

Jen

Holga Week Begins Tomorrow!

For those who haven't heard,  I have instituted the very first HOLGA WEEK!  I hope to have it as an annual event every year in July.  This year it runs from July 21 - 27, 2014.

Visit the Holga Week website here for more detailed information.

Here are a few of the Holgas that I plan on using this week. Some of them I had to dust off!  I needed some extra motivation to get out shooting more, so I hope you will all join me!  Post a comment below on what your plans are for Holga Week!

Call for Entries Deadlines

Don't forget to enter these two upcoming call for entries!

Holga Out of the Box - TCC Photo Gallery
Deadline: July 10, 2014

Diffusion Magazine - The Matter of Light
Deadline: July 15, 2014