In spite of the popularity of digital cameras, a handful of photography enthusiasts still rely on their lomo—a clunky device that still uses film and comes in many colors. Though the look in itself is its charm, what is amazing with the lomo camera is that it captures the world with different effects. Its main followers are mainly the young whose love for spontaneity is conveyed by lomo photography’s “anything goes” philosophy. You don’t have to study angles and perspectives or deal with the interplay of light and shadow. You just have to click.

Lomographer: Liad Cohen (http://www.liadcohen.com)

We take a closer look into lomo photography, tracing its history, getting to know the more popular lomo cameras, and why it continues to fascinate despite the more sophisticated approach of digital cameras and image manipulation software.

Brief history of lomography

The original Lomo camera has existed since the peak of Cold War. It was handcrafted by a Russian professor, Radionov and intended to be used by the agents for espionage. Professor Radionov’s Minitar 1 was the only camera during that time to use 32mm wide angle lens that can take pictures in any angle regardless of the lighting condition. Its lens has a peculiar feature that blurs and sharpens contrasts, producing pictures that come out with in an intense saturation and shadow vignettes on the sides.

Although Minitar 1 was not a success for military purposes (critics claimed it was not small and detailed enough), this didn’t mark the end of Lomo cameras. In 1991, two Viennese arts students found an old Russian analogue camera, Lomo Kompact Automat (LC-A), on a thrift store during their trip to Prague. They decided to use it in a fun and artistic approach by taking random photographs (later dubbed as Lomographs) in the most peculiar positions without any composition. These Lomographs resulted in a more colorful, abstract and unique snapshots. Matthias Fiegl and Wolfgang Stranziger became the “fathers of modern Lomography” and founded the Lomographic Society for the world to discover the rebirth of Lomography.

The rise of lomography

What began as experimentation has grown into a worldwide hype. The young crowd, in a time when digital cameras didn’t yet exist, found the means to use Lomography in documenting their lives despite its technical defects. The overall aesthetic look of a Lomography camera makes it stand out from the rest.

Lomographer: Gail Monique Limcumpao (http://gailaloo.multiply.com)

Lomo cameras are made of plastic, often referred to as toy cameras, with a vintage feel. They may look cheap but produce amazing photos due to their high-quality optical lenses. Each Lomography camera only creates one kind of effect. If you’ve just started joining the Lomography wagon and don’t know which camera to get, here are a few good options:

• LC-A+
  The camera is patterned like the classic Minitar 1 and produces the same results of images with rich color, high contrast and shadow vignettes. Additional features include exposure switch, manual ISO setting, flash hotshoe and a cable release for long exposures.
  
   

• Holga
  It uses 120film that produces vignetting effects and double exposures. You can add color to the shots by using a separate colored flash.

• Action Sampler
  The camera has four lenses and takes four shots in sequence of ¼ second delay. Four shots are produced in a single frame.
  

• Diana+
  Photos produced are in odd and psychedelic colors with a bit of a light leak, vignetting effects, and dreamy-toned.

• Fisheye
  It has a wide-angle lens that creates a fisheye effect and can be used to take pictures of vast landscapes, sunsets or close-ups. The shot is compact into a circular and distorted image.
  

Number 1 rule: Ignore all rules

The basic rule in Lomography is to ignore all the rules. It is more of an attitude rather than composition. All technical aspects in photography are stripped off - “Don’t Think, Just Shoot!” You don’t need to be a professional or possess the “eye” of a photographer. The beauty of Lomography is in its spontaneity and the inspiration comes from the environment that surrounds you.

Make your Lomo camera a part of your life and take it anywhere you go because Lomographs are considered the captures of your life. Lomography defines the person whose in-charge of the camera. Shoot over your head, from your hip, in-between your legs, from the ground or set your camera in any position. There’s no need to look in the viewfinder; be fast and click in the spur of the moment.

Lomographer: Liad Cohen (http://www.flickr.com/photos/liadcohen)

Perhaps, the Lomo craze is brought by the intense feeling of individualism. It allows a person to be artistic without trying too hard. It’s the thrill of not knowing what pictures you’re going to end up having. Photos may be over-saturated, blurry and out-of-focus but in Lomography, imperfect is perfect. You make small things stand out that usually go unnoticed.

Loco over lomo

After decades of manufacturing Soviet cameras that ruled the world, production of the new breed of affordable Lomography cameras has started increasing due to the demand as the words spread about this style of photography. China made an agreement of continuing the production of LC-A and even Japan got involved with these iconic cameras. The first Lomo exhibit happened in Vienna at Lomo Depot in 1992.

Now, Lomographic Embassies and Galleries are scattered in over 20 countries. The LC-A is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary for the entire year of 2009. As more people began to be involved to what is known as the “LOMO Revolution,” it created a spark between analog and digital cameras. Although the two are incomparable, Lomography is considered as an artistic way to rediscover the world the way people see it.