Community Spotlight: Elli Blum (@elliblum) and Dupdupdee (@dupdupdee)

Being one of the largest analogue photography communities on the web, we are proud of the creativity and diversity of our members. For this month's Community Spotlight, we are pleased to introduce to you Lomographers Elli Blum and Dupdupdee and their unique way of seeing the world.

Credits: elliblum & dupdupdee

Elli Blum

LomoHome: @elliblum
Location: Berlin / Tel Aviv

Hi, Elli! What do you do and what got you started with photography?

Hi! I’ve been working on different jobs throughout my life that had somehow all something to do with film/cameras. By now, I work in the movie industry with a bunch of gifted people with whom I produce energy, art, and stories. Working in teams makes me feel at home and I am convinced that a good team is always the reason for bringing out the biggest potential. I think my brush with photography started when I subconsciously looked for a place that I can perceive and interpret totally independently. This brought a contrast and some kind of balance into my life. I can just go and shoot.

How did you discover Lomography and what made you join our analogue Community? Who are your favourite photographers here?

I am pretty new here so I am still figuring out how all of this works. I got my first Lomo camera about four years ago and when I visited the States and I understood that there’s a huge community around it. The relationship to my analogue photography is much more intimate and at stake, as if it brings you as close as possible to the real moment you’ve experienced before you hit the shutter. I guess it was quite intuitively to find an appropriate place for my photos, which made me eventually join the community.

Credits: elliblum

What is your favourite subject to photograph? What do you usually look for in a scene before you hit the shutter?

I don’t really look for anything specific. Sometimes it’s a certain emotion that provokes me, sometimes it’s some kind of aesthetic that I see, sometimes it’s a moment I try to catch. It’s a challenge but it’s hard to say. What all motives have alike is that they arose from a dedication to impulses, a free place (artistically, physically, professionally) and pure curiosity. It has quite romantic features — you see something that you want to catch, you add some love and patience and sometimes it stays forever.

What does a perfect day look like for Elli Blum?

An autumn day with warm colours and even warmer temperatures. I’d have my dog with me, like always, a perfect day wouldn’t be without him. The rest are coincidences — drink Sangria in the Park and then later when it gets dark, we go home.

Credits: elliblum

Dupdupdee

LomoHome: @dupdupdee
Location: Hong Kong

Hello, Dupdupdee! What do you do and what got you started with photography?

My job is about information technology and it requires precision. I started photography around 2008 because I just need a device to record images. I didn't have a camera phone so I just got a pocket digital camera for recording interesting things back then. As time went by, I just treated photography as my hobby and I started to develop my love form film photography and street photography.

How did you discover Lomography and our tight-knit community? Who are your best buddies in the Community? How did you start your friendship?

I started to use film cameras around 2014 and I found the information about film photography from YouTube and Lomography. The Lomography website is very interesting because it’s a centralized place for lots of interesting film photos with different styles, and I like to read the articles from the Lomography Magazine. The best part is the competition section, as I could always see amazing photos from members and use the competition topics as my photographic ideas or photography experiments.

Lomographers terria58 and aqrtheta are my best buddies in the community and they are my real friends in real life. We do photo walks together sometimes and it is always fun. By the way, please visit their LomoHomes to see their beautiful photos.

What makes you stay with film photography in this day and age? What's your favourite subject to shoot?

For me, film cameras are much more simple and direct to use as there are fewer buttons and settings so I can concentrate on observation and composition. There is no preview after the shot so I don't need to worry about mistakes. All I need to do is concentrate on getting the next decisive moment. Each film and film camera design is so unique and I just like to collect and experiment with them. There are many more varieties and combinations compare to digital (e.g. compact, instant, SLR, TLR, rangefinder, 120 format, 135 format, different kinds of film, and development methods). You can tune digital photos to look alike film photos, but it is not as genuine as how different films perform.

My favourite subject is street photography, it is very rewarding as I can observe what's happening in my surroundings. It is always full of surprise and excitement. Street photography is also a great way to express myself and reduce stress.

Credits: dupdupdee

For you, what's the best part about being a Lomographer?

Just have fun, don't worry about mistakes. Don't think, just shoot!

What is your favourite Lomography camera and film and why?

Lomo'Instant Square Glass and LC-Wide. I just love the smiles and response from the people when I gave them the photos I shot with the Lomo’Instant Square. I just like square format for instant photography and the output is sharp and vivid. It is so easy to operate and I like the size and the way it folds up. For the LC-Wide, it is a real ‘don't think, just shoot camera.’ Just look at the viewfinder, set it to close or far distance, then shoot and advance.

The Lomography Color Negative 400 is great as they are affordable and the colour and speed work quite well with my compact cameras.

Credits: dupdupdee

Stay tuned for our monthly Community Spotlight to discover the work of some of the most talented Lomographers!

written by Marc Ocampo on 2018-12-02 #people #dupdupdee #community-spotlight #elliblum

Mentioned Product

Lomo LC-Wide

Lomo LC-Wide

Capture your life in wide angle with the world's widest 35mm compact camera with a 17mm ultra-wide-angle lens.

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