Lomography is a current buzz word. The Lomo camera was the camera for the masses in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. The cute mini cameras became a cult in Vienna in the 1990s where they lent themselves to a spontaneous shoot-from-the-hip style of photography.
It has since taken off in an artsy direction this century with a global following for retro analogue photography, perhaps as a reaction against the everyday acceptability of digital?
The Lomography gallery and shop in Manchester is behind (not literally) a recently unveiled Lomo wall on Tariff Street. It's 30 metres long and consists of 18,000 photographs. I assume it is meant to look like a series of street scenes, or is it merely abstract? When you look close up there are many repeated photos, some at right angles or upside down, to achieve the overall effect.
I was offered the loan of a Lomo camera by Lomo UK earlier this year but struggled to get on with it. Yes it looked fabulous, with its retro deckchair canvas covering, but, IMHO, it was too limited, and expensive at £100 plus the processing of each film. I'll stick to my simple digital Coolpix which also cost about £100 and gives so many more options. You can easily apply a Lomo effect should you choose.
If the Lomos were much cheaper, or if the old ones were simply being reused rather than new ones being manufactured, I might be tempted to use one as a fun photo accessory. Perhaps if like me you used analogue film back in the 1980s you are less likely to be as enamoured with it this time around?
A video of the wall being installed, and more on it is at: www.lomography.com/magazine/news/2012/08/02/lomowall-manchester-launches-with-a-bang
Linked to Monday Murals at the Oakland Daily Photo blog.
I had a small LOMO once and it was not up to much. Still trendy in some places.
ReplyDeleteI never had a loom, but I do like using the effect sometimes in my digital shots. This is a very colourful and creative mural!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting mural, I like the composition with that bike!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot!
Léia
It is a very interesting mural - but I have to confess, now I have to look up LOMO and find out what it is! I guess I am behind the times...or maybe it hasn't caught on over on this side of the pond yet!
ReplyDeletei sometimes play with the Lomo effect post processing, but usually end up not liking it as much as I want to.
ReplyDeletethis wall is pretty impressive.
Wow - that's a wall!
ReplyDelete(the everyday accaptability of digital? - ???)
acceptability ;-)
DeleteI like the mosaic effect
ReplyDeleteThank goodness someone's said it. I also prefer digital: you can do so much more with it. And you don't have to wait for the whole film before seeing and processing photos. Picasa has lots of nice effects to add that retro touch to images.
ReplyDeleteI have had a Lomo for a few years but don't even know where it is now. Film is too expensive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great mural, love all the colors.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't noticed there were all photos. Very nice to look at.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post, cameras look great but in the end it is all about what they produce, and digital gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Lomo Store and Lomography Gallery here as well. I agree, while I love the look of the camera's their price, and lack of practicality, to say nothing of the cost of film, ruled them out in my book. Fabulous wall however, really a major undertaking.
ReplyDeleteI liked film, but I could never go back, especially at around 1,500 - 2,000 frames each month. I do like the wall though.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive piece of art.
ReplyDeleteBeing digital, I shoot from the hip as well. Please have a good Tuesday.
Never used a Lomo, though have enjoyed taking 2 groups to include this wall in the past week. I'm an "analog" SLR user, though don't carry as much kit as I did decades ago. Unfortunately, digital wins, as the results from the 70s onwards are now showing signs of fading..
ReplyDeleteI cannot imagine using film again.
ReplyDeletethis is a labour of love by the looks of it!
I'm one of those folks who's heard of it but has never seen one. I like the effect on the wall which must be gigantic. Unfortunately I can't tell what the collage is depicting. I see a house and that's all I recognize. Perhaps if I were there in person. I'm impressed with the amount of art happening in Manchester. Thanks for contributing to Monday Mural.
ReplyDelete