Sunday, March 15, 2009
After years of constantly dismissing anything involving toy cameras in favor of maintaining my pretentious attitude regarding photography gear and techniques, I found myself purchasing a Lomo Fisheye. I am not sure how it happened, but during a time-killing walk around Southpoint with my buddy Breezy I decided I wanted to buy something for Leah. We ended up at Urban Outfitters, and instead of buying her some poor quality clothes that either would not fit or that she would not like, I reasoned that she'd enjoy a Lomo. So, I swallowed my pride and made my way to checkout with the indsicreetly labelled box and a few rolls of 100 speed film.
I "gave" her the camera that afternoon, let her fire off a few exposures, and then took it back so I could play with it. It's been in my camera bag ever since. She understands that even though I bought it for her, I really just wanted to play with it without admitting I'd spent 50 bucks on a plastic toy camera. I burned through the first three rolls of film in a few days and immediately got them processed and put onto a cd. (Note: I'll need to buy a film scanner if I want to use this thing even remotely regularly. Processing and putting 3 rolls of images onto a cd cost me $26 bucks.)
Finally having owned and used one, I feel qualified to give a more educated opinion on the toy camera fad.
Okay toy cameras, I get it. While yours is certainly a niche market, I can understand your wide appeal. You allow inexperienced shooters to potentially create odd-yet-interesting photos without requiring them to know how to do anything more than push a button. You are a bit gimmicky, but the shooters who populate this end of the spectrum aren't likely to exhaust the novelty very soon.
On the other hand you've got your more knowledgeable photographers. Although they are often quick to assume an air of superiority in regards to equipment, you are still able to cater to them with your "shoot, don't think" mantra. After using you and being at least mildly entertained by the awkward results, I'll admit that adopting this mindset while shooting with you is a fun change of pace.
In the hands of a novice you deliver a quick rush with the possibility of horrific results, not unlike a motorcycle. Even in the hands of an expert who can appreciate your capabilities and limitations, you are still fun and potentially unsafe. While I will not be retiring my 40D any time soon, nor relying on you for anything but cheap thrills, I will applaud you.
Not all of the shots from the first three rolls turned out, but I got more keepers than I expected.
And I know that everyone is curious as to whether or not I took the toy with me to work. Of course I did. What else would I do at work?
UNC Baseball ACC opener against Clemson on March 6th. UNC lost 5-4 after 10 innings.
Conan trying to figure out what we were supposed to do next during the Duke at UNC basketball game.
From the baseline during the Duke at UNC game. Positioned amidst a row of seasoned veterans wielding intimidating, shoulder-mounted video cameras, I am pretty positive I looked like a fool when I set mine aside to pick up my green plastic Lomo. It wasn't very bright in there, and the 100 speed film I was shooting with didn't help at all.
0 comments:
Post a Comment