Past Self

It has been some time since I've picked up my Holga, about 10 years as I mentioned in my previous post.  It's been even longer since I've done self portrait work.  I decided to go back to my very first roll from 20 - yes I said 20 - years ago.  I really enjoy the feelings evoked from memories, nostalgia, self introspection and dreams.  I feel like revisiting these images of myself bring up lots of interesting things and I enjoy seeing the similarities and differences.  

Words fall a bit short of capturing how this truly feels, but these abstract emotions are ones we share. You’ll understand it in your own way. That is the magic of art and self-expression. I invite you to explore that space too, if you dare.  

So, with that I present to you my 2006 vs my 2026 versions of self.

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A Holga Jen Update

It's been a while since I've had any news of my own to share!  So here is a little update on my personal Holga photography and some shows I am privileged to be in.  It's been a good month :)

Nave Gallery
Somerville Toy Camera Festival
My Holga image "Take From Your Breath" was selected to be a part of this show.  Special thanks to jurors Meg Birnbaum (Check out her site for some amazing Holga work) and Lee Kilpatrick.
This looks like a huge and amazing show!  I wish I could attend in person.



Lightbox Photographic Gallery
Plastic Fantastic Show V
My Holga image "Tired of Saving Souls" was selected to be in this show.  Special thanks to juror Susan Burnstine (one of my all time favs - check out her work if you haven't seen it before).



Lightbox Photographic Gallery
Mobile Magic VIII
My iPhone image "On the Inside" won the juror's award for this months exhibit.  Special thanks to Michael Kirchoff for the honour!  Michael is another amazing photographer both Holga and otherwise!




In other news, I'm hoping to start working on some tutorials and reviews of various Holga products and accessories.  I will have a post in the next few days with a poll for you to let me know what you would like to see most & what products you'd be most interested in.  Please come back later this week to share your thoughts!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wanted: Your Opinion and Suggestions for The Holga Darkroom!

Things have been a little quiet around this neck of the woods. I think the winter dreariness is finally getting to me. I don't want to let it win - but I need your help. Over the past few months I've been posting different topics and categories and trying to broaden my blog into something a bit more useful than just me sharing my recent photos.

I would like you to please vote on what you'd like to see more of on this blog. Or perhaps you have a suggestion that I haven't listed. If so, please leave a comment here and let me know what you think! The poll is right at the top of the page!

Voting will be open for a week, until Friday, March 5, 2010 at noon, EST.

Some of the options are self explanatory, as I've already posted some of them.

I was thinking today about maybe trying my hand at some short how-to videos - which would basically just be me showing you how I use my Holga. Perhaps how I tape it up, how I load and unload film, how I set up some of my shoots, or taking the video on the road with me & my Holga. I don't know if this is a good idea or not - what do you think?? The bigger question being - am I brave enough to do it? If I get enough support from you all I promise I will give it a shot :)

Thanks in advance and I really look forward to hearing from you all.

Go check out my post on HolgaBlog today - Flickr Friday! I am really having fun looking through all of your photos and posting this weekly feature!

Please vote for my Self Portraits

I've just entered a self-portrait contest on Artists Wanted - there is a "People's Choice" award in addition to the judging, and I would be very grateful if you could spare a moment to click on this link and vote for me.

You can vote every 24 hours, but there are only a few days left in the contest anyhow.

Here is the link: HolgaJen's Portfolio

Thank you!

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?

"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**

A little more Exploration

Here are the last few remaining pictures from this exploration set! The black and white one was taken with my Holga, and the other two were taken with my White Slim Angel, but I cropped them to square because there was a lot of wasted boring space and I wanted the focus to be on him exploring the flowers. I had Fuji Velvia 100 colour film in it, and it was a low light, shaded area so I got some dreamy soft grain that kind of gives the photos a vintage feel.

Exploration #2

Exploration #2
Holga Image, August 2009

I don't have much to say today! Do any of you have any photo plans or projects for this weekend? I have three rolls of film that I still need to get developed from this past week and last weekend! TGIF!

Exploration (holga photo)

Exploration
Holga Image
Calgary, Alberta, August 2009

This is a photo of my cousin's little guy exploring a flower bed. There's nothing like watching a little one explore things that we take for granted everyday. He probably could have spent hours entertaining himself by the flowers (if it wasn't time for a nap). I think as a photographer, it's important to have this same attitude and try and find new ways of seeing everyday things. You never know what you will get as a result!

Photo was taken on Ilford HP5 film using a close up filter to create the soft blur.

One More Elephant Photo

Do you feel like you're in Africa yet with all of these elephant photos?

I have some new work on the way, however I probably won't get the film back until the end of this week, or early next week. I'm also moving in five days so my presence on here might be a little scarce!

If you miss me, just hop over to my website to see more photos.

I'm Back, with some Elephants

Hey everyone~ I'm back! I'm still catching up, but I wanted to post this so that you know I'm alive. Speaking of alive - there were FOUR unconfirmed tornadoes in Southwest Ontario last night! None near me (an hour or two away) but still its kind of freaky. Lots of damage to homes in the areas they hit.

I wanted to share with you another photo from the African Lion Safari:



Elephant Swim
African Lion Safari, Ontario, August 2009

I'll be packing this weekend (moving in a week!) but I'll be sure to catch up with everyone's blogs and keep this place updated!

Hello Deer

Another Holga shot from the wildlife park... the deer were not dangerous so I rolled down the window! (I'm such a rebel)



Fallow Deer, African Lion Safari
Ontario, Canada, August 2009

Anyone know what those little dots are at the top? Is that from the film sprockets? I've never had that show up before on my Holga photos.

Blog and Flickr Love - and a goodbye

Tonight, I am heading to Calgary Alberta - a four hour flight that will have me landing at midnight (my time). It's going to be a long day! I will be gone until Wednesday and I'm not sure how much internet time I will have so I wanted to share with you some cool blogs and flickr peeps that I love, and hopefully they can keep you occupied while I'm gone.





Calgary, Alberta

If you're into the Toy Camera scene here are some must reads and photo-sees:

GoTreadGo
Holga Blog
Blur Dot Blog
Snappy Don
Salt Stained Eyes
Terror Kitten

News, Reviews, Images, and a store
Four Corners Dark

A funky new store in New York dedicated to all things plastic (including cameras) and currently hosting a small exhibition of toy camera photos (one of mine is on display)
Dream In Plastic

Some very talented and wonderful ladies over at Female Photographers of Etsy
Elle Moss
Emma In Wonderland
Mina Lucia
KimberlyRose

Some new discoveries that I am enjoying:
our.city.lights
Mocking Bird
Timothy Archibald

Ok I'm sure that's plenty to keep you busy - sorry I can't include everyone - but I might do another one of these next week to highlight some more awesome blogs. I find new ones all the time!

Some of my Flickr Faves at the moment:



1. Untitled, 2. The Wizard, 3. Awakening of the Dryad., 4. Untitled, 5. Untitled, 6. Longing, 7. 51860001, 8. Lighter Than Air, 9. Hypnotized, 10. Untitled, 11. full moon, 12. Untitled, 13. Untitled, 14. Offering to the Gods, 15. Holga IR Lake Erie


See you next week!



"Bye bye boys!" "Have fun storming the castle!"

Went to Africa for a Day

The weekend before last, we went to the "African Lion Safari" here in Ontario. Its basically a wildlife park where you can drive through and see all of the different animals. But, please keep your windows shut as recommended by this sign:



Couldn't resist posting that! :)

Anyways, the only way I was going to get a good shot with my Holga was if I DID break the rules, and only if something non dangerous was close enough to get a shot of... that's when I found this little guy. A type of African cattle called a Watusi (I think - I also think he was a baby thus not having the huge horns yet).



That was the only really good shot I got - none of the baboons jumped on our car :( I also have this photo of an angry ostrich who did not like our car at all... I did NOT open my window for this one and risk losing an eye, thus its a bit blurry:

A Funny

Nothing But Blue Skies

Blue skies make me so very happy!





Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
May, 2009
Fuji Velvia Slide Film + Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim toy camera

More from the Viv - Yellow Tulips

Not sure how close I can get with this baby before things start to blur... but so far, so good! Thank you Fuji Velvia for the amazing colour saturation!

The sale prints at my Etsy Shop are selling fast and once they're gone they won't be relisted at that size or price for a while so if you're interested you'd better hurry :)

Hope you're all having a wonderful Monday morning (is that even possible? Let me know!)

Blue and Red

St. Marys River, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
May 2009

This looks alot better large but the large size gets cut off on here. If you click the image that should take you to my flickr page where you can choose the all sizes button to see it larger. I just liked the lines and colours going on here, no other real reason for this shot.

Abandoned #2

I shot this on the highway somewhere north of Barrie, Ontario. Looks like an old motel? It was all boarded up and deserted. I liked the look and symmetry of the building, and thought it would make a good subject for the Vivitar.

I think I'm done with creepy building photos for a bit... happy flower photos will be posted soon!

TGIF!!

Happy Friday to everyone out there!

Another colourful summery image to brighten your day:



Abandoned
Transcanda Highway, Northern Ontario, 2009

I shot this with a Vivitar Ultra Wide & Slim toy camera on Fuji Velvia film. I just love the colour saturation of that film - I did not edit this photo at all this is how it developed!!

I have a lot more photos in my backlog to get up. Will hopefully be posting some this weekend.

If you're a toy camera junkie like me you've probably already heard about Holgapalooza! But if not, here is the link again: Holgapalooza

I've also been putting up some 5x5 prints for sale on my Etsy shop for $5 each! I am selling some in pairs because they go so well together. I will be putting up more tonight so check it out later if you're interested! Click on the SALE section on the right of my shop.

Have a great weekend everyone :)

~Jen