Jamie123
Veteran
But that's the point, isn't it? When using a Holga you're not de-emphasizing equipment at all. In fact, you're emphasizing equipment to the highest degree. And thus you're actually de-emphasizing skill as every shot becomse, first and foremost, a product of the camera not the photographer.
Pete B
Well-known
Bobfrance
Over Exposed
Good examples!
Carsten's sublime work is a particularly good example of creative use of the M9 (though he does, in effect, create medium format images by stitching multiple 35mm shots together
).
bigeye
Well-known
Certainly, gear, regardless of cost, can create a fresh pop look that camouflages mediocre skill - for awhile. And a holga, just as a fisheye, ultrawide, super-tele, polaroid, IR, HDR, lensbaby miniatures, multiple-exposure images, soft-focus, and whatever insta- or hipsta- ick can quickly become cloying and cliche'. The suggestion may be that you want to develop skill with 'normal' equipment before relying on specialized gear.
But, specialized equipment, like the holga, can enhance the highest level of skill. Burnett's shot of Al Gore supports that claim (as well, his use of a speed graphic/aero-ektar). He creates a finished image in-camera, which would have been very dull straight from a contemporary D1. (It's a brilliant way to handle image control and the ethics of post-processing/manipulation in journalism.)
- Charlie
PS: Nothing I can say though, can surpass the holga manufacturer's inexorable, somewhat frightening eloquence (I'm trying to find the communist manifesto that it's clipped from.)
Birth, death, celebration, ritual, and everything in-between is caught on lo-fi medium-format emulsions - amplified and focused through the plastic lens of this bare bones, oversized camera. Ironically, as camera design becomes more technical, automatic, and sophisticated, Holga's low-tech appeal grows stronger and stronger for us; those who relish its quirky and unpredictable nature. This cult following organizes around the Holga, praising its insane characteristics, unpredictable effects, and stunning results.
jan normandale
Film is the other way
interesting (although silly imho). thanks for sharing.
..and what would that make a comparison of the M9 vs Holga ... ?
;D
gb hill
Veteran
My Dave's top ten reasons of why I chose the holga over the M9: (insert drum roll here)
10:it's much cheaper.
9:lighter to carry around.
8:shoots MF compaired to M9's measly 35mm format.
7:has a quieter shutter.
6:chicks dig it (chick magnet)
5:light leaks are cool.
4:looks much more fashionable with gaffers tape.
3:Jack White of White Stripes has a limited edition Holga named for him.
2:If I drop it, no need to start a dumb a$$ thread on RFF that I dropped my holga.
...and the #! reason I chose holga over the M9 is because I have one!!!!
10:it's much cheaper.
9:lighter to carry around.
8:shoots MF compaired to M9's measly 35mm format.
7:has a quieter shutter.
6:chicks dig it (chick magnet)
5:light leaks are cool.
4:looks much more fashionable with gaffers tape.
3:Jack White of White Stripes has a limited edition Holga named for him.
2:If I drop it, no need to start a dumb a$$ thread on RFF that I dropped my holga.
...and the #! reason I chose holga over the M9 is because I have one!!!!
pggunn
gregor
Greg, that is too funny!
cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
"It's the photographer not the camera"
I agree... to an extent, however when it is the camera making the choices about the photographs, as is the case with a Holga, the photographer will often find it very hard to achieve their desired effect.
I agree... to an extent, however when it is the camera making the choices about the photographs, as is the case with a Holga, the photographer will often find it very hard to achieve their desired effect.
You still have a viewfinder... you still have to compose.
chris00nj
Young Luddite
What about a Rolleiflex for $200 and spare cash? Why do we need to compare the M9 to the overpriced Holga?
zuiko85
Veteran
Last two questions almost meaningless to me. Solitary photographer here. Seem to know no one local with an interest in film photography except perhaps the young lady I sold my Mamiya C220 kit to. But she runs in her own circle and me in mine.
zuiko85
Veteran
Mr. Hicks comments on better and cheaper 21/4 sq. is really spot on. Last year I picked up a fully functional Zeiss Nettar with a 75 f6.3 Novar and Vairo shutter for $25. Medium format in a photo vest pocket. Keen.