PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond

Holmography pics

January 3rd, 2010 by Planet Chocko

I finally developed a few sample rolls of the 120 film in 4×4 format that I took using my Holga camera on my trip to Hong Kong last April. The Holga is basically a bulky plastic toy camera which was ironically made in Hong Kong in the 1980’s! This beast of a camera takes photos in lo-fi quality & focuses the attention of the beholder in old school fashion. Instead of worrying about megapixels & taking pics like a frantic papparazzi freak with digital access, I focus my attention on the subject at hand to blend myself into their world. This really strips down photography to its basic core which let’s me concentrate on getting the right shot on documenting life as it transforms right in front of me. Also, something of note is that when I whip out the Holga to take pics, people seem to be less intimidated by the camera & therefore, continue with their actions like you’re not there which allows me to take more spontaneous pictures as opposed to a rehearsed shot. The wide lens & lack of zoom on the Holga also makes you get closer to your subject. Notice some of the imperfections of the holga camera with light leaks that lead to some pictures that are overexposed which adds a bit of character to the print. Also, check out the black edging or vignetting on some of these pics. The quirkyness & unpredictability of this camera brings the fun back to photography!
A big shoutout to B&H photo on 34th st. in NYC for not filing my 120 film prints in the round filing cabinet. I dropped off my 3 rolls of film in September & did not pick them up till today! Looks like B&H photo outsources their 120 film developing to Photo Station in Brooklyn & C-Labs in Manhattan.
–Mr. C