Why Holga?

taskoni said:
Well, most of the time the toy camera Holga delivers the stuff since the photographer is not much involved it the picture and I can't call that art.
Click to expand...

The photographer does do a few things:
1) determine where to stand
2) determine what direction to point the camera
3) determine when to push the shutter

Now I would call that "serious involvement", much more so that twiddling some dials.
 
While twiddling some dials you might get what you have pre-visualized in a certain way and since the photography is a visual art may be is good for some photographers to express their vision with their pictures. Of course some just find the right spot to stand and point the camera and it's enough and some can pre visualized some certain looks
( NOTE I am not talking of gavinlg who's picture I used as an example because it was handy and who has great stuff on his webpage)
 
taskoni said:
Well, most of the time the toy camera Holga delivers the stuff and the photographer is not much involved it the picture other than depressing the shutter and I can't call that art.
Click to expand...

When the photographers knows how to work with his limitations thats when he starts creating the art.
 
totifoto said:
When the photographers knows how to work with his limitations thats when he starts creating the art.
Click to expand...

The more control of the camera I have the more close you I'll be to capturing my vision. I don't need the limitation of that toy to get unpredictable result to call it art. That's why we all make pictures, but only a few can really make art. But to get back to the topic I still didn't see an answer to the original question why Holga?
 
taskoni said:
Here's an example of a Holga shot - who you think is responsible for the look?
Click to expand...

Who? You mean we've got to assume that a human being is entirely responsible for a picture?

That's like saying the sun is at your command and destiny's at your hand.
 
Think Ansel Adams and how irresponsible he was to the look of his pictures while not commanding the sun and go and shoot something that close to your vision with your toy.

Good night boys. Don't forget to have fun.
 
taskoni said:
the photographer is not much involved it the picture other than depressing the shutter and I can't call that art.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, so it isn't when you don't choose the shutter speed and aperture? How about framing? I think that is the most important part of photography.
 
jsrockit said:
Hmmm, so it isn't when you don't choose the shutter speed and aperture? How about framing? I think that is the most important part of photography.
Click to expand...

I thought the light was the most important ;) but seriously it must be combination of all those choices. With all my respect I think we are missing the point again and reasoning what photography is and what is actually art, but why Holga?

1. Because is cheap?
2. Because make my photos to look more arty?
3. Because it's super special for ? reason?
4. Because I suck with a manual film or digital camera and I want to be cool in my photography (lomography is the way)
5. Because it's fun and I want to rest of traditional photographic thinking
6. Because somebody who actually have Holga shot something that I liked
etc.

I have my opinion on that and from my own experience and I can tell you I prefer P&S cameras where not having tweaking possibilities (as I found out here that's not important in photography at all) at least you can frame pretty close to what you see in the finder (I know framing is important) and seeing the light on your subject you can imagine how to process your shot to look like to what you want it to look like.

Bye.
 
If the Picture has something going on for it that appeals to me, I really couldnt give a flying **** how it was achieved.
 
Corto said:
If the Picture has something going on for it that appeals to me, I really couldnt give a flying **** how it was achieved.
Click to expand...

:bang: As a viewer you are right, as being the author you'd be wrong (if of course you give some **** about your work)
 
taskoni said:
Think Ansel Adams and how irresponsible he was to the look of his pictures while not commanding the sun and go and shoot something that close to your vision with your toy.

Good night boys. Don't forget to have fun.
Click to expand...

Yeah sure, he was able to visualize how the clouds should appear on Tetons and Snake River. I bet that in a way, he was irresponsible enough to have pressed the shutter at that moment... who knows if a better picture, much more in accordance to his vision, occurred before or after that moment.

Photographers have this kind on ego where they think they are the masters of their own pictures. Holga destroys that ego. It's a good therapy!
 
taskoni said:
:bang: As a viewer you are right, as being the author you'd be wrong (if of course you give some **** about your work)
Click to expand...

As the Author of my own work I dont give **** about what you think.

Because between Me, Myself and I there's never any doubt if I'm wrong or right.

Youre Running around in a circle here.......
 
I bought a Holga last year, and while I don't use it now, it certainly was fun to experiment with and I'm glad I still have it. Several posters here have said how unpredictable Holgas are, but that wasn't my experience. My Holga focused correctly and the exposure was predictable too. Within a few rolls (assuming you're developing your own film) you'll get the knack of how to develop the film to get a decent exposure.

Some posters here are acting like there is no relationship at all between what the photographer does and what the Holga delivers. I don't think the pros that are using Holgas are surprised at the results they're getting at all; they're not slot machines, they're cameras, and within limits, can be controlled. They just have a unique signature. So to the OP who asked if he should just use his existing MF camera, I say go ahead and use it if you like it. If you want to try a Holga nobody's holding you back, and they're cheap.

A holga is just another brush in the paintbox. I don't consider it a toy unless that's how I'm using it; it's just a simplified and very inexpensive camera. The fact that young photographers use them is a bonus and I'm glad they're interested in film, and photography.

Sometimes I let my 9 year old use my Holga. He's done quite well with it! :)
 
Taskoni is an "artiste" (use of exaggerated French accent) people...;)
In all seriousness, why is this so serious? (and does that even make sense?)
 
igi said:
Can't wait to hear your answer to the question "Why Holga?"

So far, all I see is that you're derailing this topic to "Why hate Holga?"
Click to expand...


igi, you might know that in life people can have different opinion and taste than your about different things. I won't be surprised if I would like your Holga pictures (if you have any at all...).
Your odd arguments doesn't help the tread either. At least you know I dislike Holga and I gave openly my reasons, from your deep comments I understand the Holga is the camera who screws Ansel Adams' stuff...
I feel like I waisted too much time with you.
 
taskoni said:
And BTW, what you think is so special about The Last Harvest shots that are shot with Holga?
You can get the same or better pictures with normal film camera. I don't see any advantage or superiority over any normal camera in any way... The look is not so special - something you can do in the dark room, no?
What would be your reason of using Holga for traditional photography? Cheap?
Click to expand...

Relax, why worry yourself over nothing. You dont like Holga- dont use it. I love it - I'll use it. Не волнуйтесь так, чего уж там, в интернете всегда кто-то неправ. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom