So I have to admit, when I bought my Diana – a lomo camera that uses medium format film (more?) – I was a little obsessed. I was so beyond excited to take all the photos that I could, and have them turn out so incredibly beautifully! I couldn't wait to take photos of everything I could see, I bought a Holga for one of my best friend's birthday and had starry eyed dreams of running through European cities laughing and being fashionable, with a magically different and perfect wardrobe and that ideal haircut, not having a care in the world. It was all laid out in my mind the moment I opened the box and saw that blue casing. This was going to be so much fun.
And then I started getting the rolls developed.
And I had to get better advice on the film speed I was using.
And it was a little better, but not by much.
So I had to double take each photo (once lomo, once digital!) to make sure that I had at least one copy of the image.
And then I had to pay for the processing and developing.
And I asked twitter, and DM'd Diana for tips.
And somewhere in there? The flames of my excitement tamed down from a wildfire level of intensity to something closer to the intensity of a tea light that's been burning for a couple of hours, if you know what I mean. Since the summer my Diana has sat on my bookshelf, always peeking at me and reminding me of just how beautiful it is, and how I really didn't give it a fair chance. I love photography, I've had lots of great 35 mm cameras before, and there's no reason I can't do this if I really try.
Because we're still early into the new year, I decided that the best way to marry myself to learning and getting one step closer to having a summer filled with lots of fun lomography is to make my practice into a series for the next year.
Every week for a year I'm going to experiment with my camera and share the results- the good, the bad, and the ugly! I can't wait! It's going to be a real relationship with ups and downs, but at the end of a year I think this little camera and I will be closer than ever.
Wish me luck!
Is there something you want learn or do better at this year?
LAST UPDATED ON: February 10th, 2011
CATEGORY: All Business & Blogging Posts
I made a commitment to start crafting, it was about time, I don’t feel that I do anything creative (besides for raising two darlings of babies), I need to express myself creatively to get out of everyday routine and… I need to do smth to support my family in this darn of an economic crisis… Hopefully I will develop my talent into smth useful (mainly for my wellbeing).
Ooh, this looks like it’ll be loads of fun! FYI (I dunno if someone else already alerted you) — the graphic says “A weekly experiment in photogaphy…” (it’s missing an ‘r’). It’s the English major in me, just stopping by. :-)
lol! Thanks so much Tabitha- I must have been typing too fast, you’re a lifesaver! :)
This IS really exciting! It’s quite the challenge isn’t it? I think you can do it and the little surprises really make it worth it. I Will you be getting any accessories with it?
Kyla! This is wonderful….please share your tips here because I got a Holga for Christmas and haven’t even used it yet! I am super intimidated. Also, I need the rain to stop. Yay, I can’t wait to see all your photos!
Good luck with your photo explorations! Photography lets you look at the world with new eyes. I wish I could take pictures like you do. Started out with an Instamatic and a Polaroid soo long ago, went through several 35mm SLR’s and a whack of lenses…and find myself back in the land of point and shoot – the digital version. I’d like to find the middle ground! But in the meantime, I’ll call upon you to be my photographer of choice!
This is going to be so much fun to follow, especially since I consider you a photographer extraordinaire, so it’ll be fun to see how the pictures turn out & learning to use it! :)
The biggest thing I want to accomplish is probably to become a better runner. I have my good days and bad days and I just want it to come more easily & naturally for me!
Love that idea. I got a Diana F+ for christmas and also have the will to learn more about it. I’m so excited what you’ll tell and show us!!
Photography is something that is high on my list of things to do better this year as well! I’ve also committed to taking a photo everyday for a year and started on Jan 1st. While some days pictures are honestly an afterthought, I have been consistent so far. It will be a fun way to reflect on my year and hopefully stretch my creativity.
Good luck with your photo-taking!
I love this new series. I’ve got the same camera (but without that awesome flash). And my photos have all turned out black too so far. You’ve inspired me to take it out and learn how to use it again! I’m looking forward to seeing your progress and sharing any tips you learn through it!
x
i absolutely love this idea. it’s so hard to be discouraged from something you think is going to turn out so well. kudos to you!
xoxo,
s
I love this! I cannot wait to see your photos. The camera is adorable!
i love your extreme dreams, you’re awesome! Can’t wait to follow the series!! xo :)
What a great idea! P.S. Your nail polish is fantastic. :)
this is a fantastic project! are you going to open it up for others to join in? i’ve been wanting a diana for so long, this might be the inspiration I needed to get one! can’t wait to see your pictures!
~ab
Oooh, I love your nail polish color! and of course you look gorgeous as always. :) <3
I love that picture of you! :) Can’t wait to see more!
I want to use my camera more.. learn more features.. eventually start a portfolio. I’m just.. so self conscious with my work online compared to others. I have so much to learn!
I LOVE this. I could say very similar things about my SLR! I need to be more dedicated in taking regular pictures with a focus on learning the HOW about it. Great inspiration, love :)
I love this!! I can’t wait to see your pictures. ♥
xo.
That looks awesome! What a fun camera! I’m sure with practice that infatuation will deepen into some long term loooooove. I want to get better at taking product shots, ya know, setting up and styling the pic. I’m a lil unsure how to do that in my style with the stuff I have to take pics of kwim? I’m waiting on a lil photo printer I bought on impulse after seeing this youtube vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5b4CqHBr3Y literally watched and bough. Good thing it was cheap! lol
Oh you will love it! I think my Diana Mini is wonderful (I have quite a few Lomography cameras) and you get to love their little quirks. I think we are so used to digital and photoshop that we expect photos to be 100% perfect all the time, when really, when you think back to analogue only days, that wasn’t the case at all.
My project for this year (I have just got a copy of Keri Smith’s Guerilla Art Kit) is to do one piece of Guerilla Art a month to help me explore and appreciate the new town I have recently moved to. It will be fun on the way.
I totally know what you mean! I have polaroids and a holga and a diana that I can’t seem to work right. I get so very frustrated and put it back on the shelf (or in the camera bag) for the future. I am excited to see what comes about and will probably join you in this adventure!
good luck! I have 5 rolls of Holga/vintage camera film that still need to be developed ….
oops!
xo
Will be fun to see your photos :-)
Did you make the afghan that is in the background of your photo…it is yummy!
You’re going to be awesome, I’m sure! I can’t wait to see all the pics!
I’m excited to be a better runner this year. And a better adventurer.
Oh, I love this! Can’t wait to see more from it.
There are SO many things I want to learn to do – better & period. Like playing a song, ANY song on the guitar I’ve had for five years but can’t play a whit. And knit! And join a choir! And cook! Oh, so much to learn.
fun! I’m excited to follow your progress :)
My goal is to learn how to use my new (well – not new. 2 months old. but I’ve barely used it.) DSLR before the baby comes. Lofty goal, I know.
Gorgeous camera. And what a great idea! I can’t wait to see the results.
What a great idea! I’ve got a whole whack of things I’ve been meaning to get batter at – including leaving comments on blogs instead of just lurking :p
I look forward to seeing more of your adventures in analog!
Sounds like a great expirement! I can’t wait to see how it turns out (though I guess I’ll have to actually SEE you to see the photos since they aren’t digital. I bet we can make that happen!). Good luck.
oh, and something I want to be better at? Exercising REGULARLY and treating myself right. I can do that, right?
That’s exciting! I just got a Diana for Christmas and I haven’t used it yet (because of the stupid 120 film, grr, expensive) but it’ll be neat to see what you’ve learned as I learn along with you!
Oh cool! I always wondered what gave your photos that slightly different quality. I’m guessing it’s this Diana camera?
I need to pull out my Nikon again. Since I got a point-and-shoot for Christmas I’ve been 100% using it for picture-taking lately, which is fine but I need to start practicing with my Nikon again.
You’re so sweet! All of my regular blog photos are 100% digital, I just have fun editing them before I post them. The only analog photos I’ll be posting (usually) will be on Sunday :)
Sweet! I can’t wait to see the pics :) I should probably figure out how to use my digital camera this year … we’ve had the thing for 2 years now and I have no clue how to take decent photos.
I LOVE this project! I’m so excited to see what you come up with. I’m doing a Project 365 (digital) this year and I am loving it, even if some days are a challenge. It’s just a fun adventure and I am loving a lot of the images I have come up with. I think it’s good to give yourself a challenge as it provides a lot of opportunities for growth! Can’t wait to follow along. <3
I was having a similar problem with my Instax mini (though I’m sure your Diana is wayyyy more complicated, and I’m just silly hehe) – so I started my 52 Weeks project. I take 1 Instax photo a week and share it on my blog and a Flickr group I created, so that I can get practice at *actually shooting what I was aiming at*!
Good luck with your Diana! I can’t wait to see some of your photos :)
xo
Oh fun! What a fun series!
I want to try some new knitting projects this year. So that is my goal when I get back from France! My first project will probaly be this beautiful infinity scarf! Well, I hope it turns out as beautifully as the pattern I found!
Oh, I love it! What a great series. I’m SO excited to see the results and for your honesty. I feel that way about my camera and have been wanting to dive into the world of lomography as well. All I see is the pictures from the people who have lomography down and the beautiful pictures they produce. Same with my DSLR..I keep wondering, how do I get there? I’m looking forward to seeing how your pictures develop. :)
katy.
Oh I can’t wait to see the results! (Good & bad.) I had a similar love affair with a little $20 Holga. I had seen so many gorgeous photos online taken with Holgas and I thought “I can do that!” … lack of knowledge about film speed (200 on a cloudy day, anyone!?) and lack of a light meter made for an almost totally black roll of film. DUH. (For example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mandi/2111551792/) *sigh* Maybe someday I’ll dig it out and give it another go. In the meantime I think I’ll live vicariously through you! :)
Yess. I just got my Diani Mini in the mail. I can not wait to try it out!!