Lomography – For rebels!

My photography journey has gone through phases, and I’m sure you can identify with the phase of striving for technical perfection?

This happened to me, and I came to the realisation this made my photography exactly the same as others.

Or in other words, boring.

This is why I love lomography. It breaks the rules, and allows you to bring back the fun and excitement you craved when you first bought a camera.

Lomography offers a refreshing break from all the rules. It’s a style which celebrates the unpredictable, the experimental, and sometimes even the chaotic.

And that’s why you’ll love it as much as I do.

So forget about spending hours adjusting settings, chasing the sharpest shot, or pulling your hair out over technical perfection. Embrace lomography!

Let’s explore:

A brief history of Lomography

Lomography began in the early 1990s when I was in my school shorts scrapping with other kids in the playground.

The style, if you can call it a style, was sparked by a quirky Soviet-era LOMO LC-A camera. This was basically a compact film camera known for unpredictable exposures and vibrant, often distorted images.

When a group of Austrian students rediscovered it, they were fascinated by the camera’s “flaws”. This fascination kicked off what is now known today as the Lomographic Society International who you can now follow on Facebook.

What they started has since blossomed into a worldwide movement, encouraging you to capture life’s moments without worrying about technical perfection.

I’m betting you’re reading this thinking “That sounds like a movement I want to join!”

And you should!

What makes Lomography different?

Lomography is all about snapshot-style photography with over-saturated colours, off-kilter exposures, and the occasional happy accident (no, not that kind of happy accident).

The true beauty of lomography lies in its imperfections, allowing you to focus on creativity rather than control.

Have you ever taken a shot and loved it more because of something unexpected?

Or taken a load of photos in a day and found one of your “meh shots” turns out to be far more appealing than expected?

That’s the magic of Lomography. It’s photography without the pressure of getting everything just right, and sometimes, the most surprising results come from mistakes.

What camera should you choose for Lomography?

With a style without rules you can use whatever camera you have handy, and this includes your smart phone.

However, if you’re after gritty blurry shots with interesting colours and distortions it’s best to choose a less-than-polished camera.

Let’s cover what I use (which I expect can’t be considered a norm):

Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo

Fuji cameras are known for the unique feel of their photos (I’ve had a couple of X100s and an XT1).

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo is a really cool instant (polaroid) camera which is digital, and you can transfer the digital photos with the same polaroid look and feel.

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There’s a caveat and a hack with the Instax Mini Evo which I’ll tell you about now, because it got my goat when I first bought the camera:

You must print a photo (on expensive film) before you can transfer it digitally. However! One a film cartridge is used you can cunningly reuse it to trick the camera into thinking a photo’s been printed. It’s easy to live with from there on in.

As a lomography instant camera, the Fujifilm Instax Mini Evo blends vintage-inspired design with a digital-analog hybrid system, giving you a creative playground with endless possibilities.

You can experiment with different film simulations and various settings which you will only get on a “fun camera” such as this. I’m pretty sure you’ll be capturing some really quirky, saturated shots which define Lomography in no time!

And since the Instax Mini Evo prints your photos in seconds, you’ll get to experience the joy of holding a cute little printed version right away. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Lomography Fisheye camera

For something truly out-of-the-box, there’s also the Lomography Fisheye camera.

This bad boy captures a 170° wide-angle view of your surroundings, which offers you some really interesting and fun perspectives.

The camera distorts reality in a really cool playful, circular way. You really can be both bold and creative with this camera, and it works well if you get some really close shots of people, pets, or other interesting subjects.

What about film Lomography?

Of course, Lomography isn’t just about the cameras.

The choice of film plays a BIG role in achieving distinctive looks.

If you’re after intense, vivid colours – even in low light – Lomography 800 film is your go-to. It’s ideal for night shots or dimly lit environments being higher ISO, and the film delivers rich tones and lovely saturated results.

Have you ever struggled to capture the mood at a party or in a dimly lit street? This film might be the answer!

On bright, sunny days, Lomography 400 is better for balanced tones and a more classic look, with a sweet balance between vibrant colours and contrast.

If you like your photography to be edgier, the Lomography Metropolis film is worth taking a look at. It will give you muted, desaturated colours and what I can only think to describe as an “urban aesthetic”.

The Lomography Metropolis film brings a cool, industrial vibe to your images, so it’s ideal for cityscapes or portraits with a dystopian edge.

Sound good?

So, why not let go of perfection for a while? Whether you’re using the Instax Mini Evo for instant magic, experimenting with the Lomography Fisheye for a new perspective, or trying out Lomography 800, 400, or Metropolis film, Lomography gives you the freedom to explore photography without the rules.

What happy accidents can you capture?

Forget about rule of thirds and boring stuff like that. Embrace the unexpected!

You might be surprised at just how beautiful imperfection can be, and I hope you share your photos in the comments!