@cold_pencil_ Takes the LomoApparat Into Nature

It's been over a year since the LomoApparat was released, but it's still amazing to see the unique photos many Lomographers are capturing with it. From the urban jungle to behind-the-scenes fashion shoots, and even weddings, this experimental and compact camera can do it all. Christina (@cold_pencil_), uses the LomoApparat to immortalize the serene and breathtaking scenes of America's countryside. She utilizes all the tools of the camera, including the Kaleidoscope and Splitzer lenses, and color gel filters. Embracing her inner creativity, she enjoys creating multiple exposures and recently tried her hand at a film soup with her own recipe.

Hi, and welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you introduce yourself and tell us how you started analogue photography?

Hi, I’m Christina, I’m originally from Florida but I now travel around the US for work as a travel speech therapist! I got started in analogue photography back in high school wherein my school had a traditional black-and-white photography program. During that time I really focused on the darkroom and camera photo manipulation. That was also when I discovered Lomography and got a Holga and the Fisheye. I remember looking through my Holga book and being inspired by all the fun and creative ideas. I think that really set the way I approach photography.

What gear do you mostly use when shooting?

Currently, I’m using a Canon AE-1, LomoApparat, and Holga. I usually use Portra 400 but have been playing with other film stocks and pushing/pulling film, which has been a bit of a learning experience.

How would you describe your personal photography style?

I’m not really sure how to describe it. I’m definitely drawn to more experimental stuff and I really hope that shows through. I spend a lot of my free time outside, so nature plays a big role in what I’m taking pictures of.

How has your experience been with the LomoApparat so far?

I know I’m going to sound like a used car salesman BUT I absolutely love it! There are so many ways you can experiment and manipulate your pictures. The compact size of it really helps bring it to places where your SLR would be too bulky or might get damaged. I brought it to a concert this summer and it really captured the liveliness and fun we were having. It’s small so most people don’t even notice you have it, which lets you get some nice candid shots. I’ve also brought it on a couple of river floats, which is somewhere I would never want to bring my main camera, but it fits in a dry bag so easily.

What's your favorite thing about the camera and what are some things you learned while you were using it?

My favorite feature is the Kaleidoscope lens. I’ve been doing double exposures with one of the shots having the Kalediscope attachment on to create this really interesting effect. I also use different color gels when I shoot multiple exposures.

I really like these techniques because they bring this sort of life and energy to the pictures instead of just feeling like a snapshot. I also love the Splitzer, but I have a tendency to mess it up when cutting the pictures diagonally. I end up with a little black triangle at the bottom of the picture, but I kind of like the effect of it.

You've also combined the LomoApparat with a film soup. What did you use for the film soup and how did you find the results?

I think the LomoApparat and doing Film Soups go hand in hand. It was my first time putting the film in a Film Soup and it was a little stressful! I wasn’t sure how long I should leave it, to boil it or not, or what should I add to the soup. In the end, there’s no “right way” to do it and your level of control is pretty minimal. You just gotta take the advice you can find and do what feels right. For that soup I used vinegar, the juice of a tangerine, and some wildflowers from my neighborhood, boiled it for ~13 minutes then let it sit for a couple hours. It gave me these green streaks that remind me a lot of the northern lights. Which I found really fitting since most of the pictures were taken in Alaska.

I have three more rolls that I’ve souped recently (one in red wine, salt water, and dish soap with salt). They’re currently sitting in rice drying before I send them off but I’m excited to see how those turn out.

Besides these techniques, you also like making multiple exposures. How did you get drawn to this technique?

I think in the most basic terms photography is when you see something, you take a picture of it, and what you took a picture of is what you get. With double exposures it turns the whole idea upside down, your pictures are something you would never see in real life.

Using this technique has made me re-think how I see the world around me and how I see the whole process of photography. Although I have techniques that I’ve picked up, I really have no control over how the pictures come out. I’ve really had to learn to trust the process and not focus on the idea of getting “the perfect shot”

A lot of your photos were taken in Wyoming and Oregon. What is it you like about shooting in these areas?

I grew up in Florida which is mainly flat and wetlands, so mountains are still pretty novel to me. I had no idea about alpine meadows with wild flowers, streams, and all different types of wildlife; it literally feels like I’m in a Studio Ghibli movie. That environment just gives you so many different elements to work with and puts you in a creative mental state.

Do you have any favorite photos that you've taken recently?

I don’t necessarily have favorite pictures but more so techniques. I have one taken in Mount Rainer, it’s a double exposure of the same view but I flipped the camera upside down. I love this effect because you can still make out what the picture is of but at first glance it’s like you’re in a different world.

There is also multiple exposure of my sister, a field, and an avocado, I honestly don’t even think the picture is that good but during that roll I was really trying to challenge myself to completely let go, do multiple exposures, and not think too hard about what I was taking pictures of. When I saw that picture I thought it was so funny because I completely forgot that I took the picture of the avocado, and I loved seeing how that method played out.

Any advice you want to give to the rest of the community?

I would say find a style that you enjoy and dig deeper into exploring it. Also, don’t be afraid to experiment with new techniques or try something that sounds weird. If you’re having fun it will show through in your pictures.

We thank Christina for her wonderful photos and be sure to keep up with her by following her LomoHome. What experimental techniques do you want to try with the LomoApparat? Comment down below!

written by rocket_fries0036 on 2023-12-17 #gear #people #places #mountain #nature #multiple-exposure #america #double-exposure #usa #wyoming #lomoapparat #jackson-wyoming