If I was lucky enough to be allowed a second alter-ego, she'd be something like Angelina Jolie in Mr and Mrs Smith. A super mysterious, highly paid, incredibly efficient...super spy. But unlike old Ange, my alter-ego would also be carrying one of these uber cool Lomo cameras.
The Lomo camera was originally developed during the Cold War to be used for spy games and international espionage. However, the camera failed it's Russian inventor when it was too heavy, too cumbersome and not quite precise enough.
But when two Austrian art students - Wolfgang Stranzinger and Matthias Fiegl, stumbled across a second-hand Lomo in a Prague junk shop, the 'Lomographic Revolution' was born.
Capitalising on the camera's origins, the pair took shots in true spy style; shooting from the hip, in haphazard directions, to capture their surroundings in a manner that rebelled against the logic of traditional camera composition. The seemingly humble camera captured moody shots, obscure light effects against vibrant colour and movement.
Pigeonhole's 10 Golden Rules:
1. Take your LOMO with you wherever you go
2. Use it all the time, at any time - day or night
3. Lomography does not interfere with your life, it's a part of it
4. Get as close as possible to the objects of your lomographic desire
5. Don't think (William Firebrace)
6. Be fast
7. You don't have to know what's going to be captured on your film
8. You don't have to know what's on the film afterwards either
9. Shoot from the hip
10. Don't worry about rules
If this is possibly the coolest thing you've ever heard then it will now become the second coolest; because Pigeonhole are currently promoting 'Lomovember' - an annual fundraiser showcasing the best of Perth's lomographic talent, held at a secret location on the 11-13th of November.
This year’s exhibition will feature 100 photographs to be block mounted, displayed, and sold at a silent auction with all profits going to Movember. Lomo workshops will also be held over the weekend for both budding and seasoned Lomographers alike.
Here are a couple of amazing photos from previous years Lomovember events:
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Hannah McGrath
"Secret Garden", WA
Lomovember 2009 |
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Rikki Burns
"Above Manhattan", NY
Lomovember 2009 |
If, like me - you must become a Lomographer, visit the
Lomography website for everything you need to know to get started.
* Distracted - Merchants of Fancy also stock Lomo Camera's
