Difference between revisions of "Lomography"

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{{glossary}}
 
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'''Lomography''' is a registered trademark of Lomographische AG (Austria). The '''Lomography Society International''' promotes the use of playful and "lo-fi" cameras. The first of these cameras, which lent the society its name, was a copy of the of the [[Cosina CX-2]] sold by [[Lomo]] of St. Petersburg, Russia: the [[Lomo LC-A|LC-A]]. Since then, many whimsical and intentionally-flawed cameras have been promoted, along with a "shoot from the hip" aesthetic. Viewed as either a modern impressionistic art movement, or a simple (and effective) marketing ploy, Lomography has attracted a large international following around its "10 rules" given below.
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'''Lomography''' is a registered trademark of Lomographische AG (Austria). The '''Lomographic Society International''' promotes the use of playful and "lo-fi" cameras. The first of these cameras, which lent the society its name, was a copy of the of the [[Cosina CX-2]] sold by [[Lomo]] of St. Petersburg, Russia: the [[Lomo LC-A|LC-A]]. Since then, many whimsical and intentionally-flawed cameras have been promoted, along with a "shoot from the hip" aesthetic. Viewed as either a modern impressionistic art movement, or a simple (and effective) marketing ploy, Lomography has attracted a large international following around its "10 rules" given below.
  
 
As old stocks of the [[Lomo LC-A]] and other Russian [[Lomo]] products dwindled, LSI increasingly began commissioning its own original designs. Many of these relate somehow to historical cameras, such as their Chinese-built clone of the LC-A, the '''LC-A+''', or the [[Diana Plus]], a recreation of the 1960s-1970s Hong Kong [[Diana]].
 
As old stocks of the [[Lomo LC-A]] and other Russian [[Lomo]] products dwindled, LSI increasingly began commissioning its own original designs. Many of these relate somehow to historical cameras, such as their Chinese-built clone of the LC-A, the '''LC-A+''', or the [[Diana Plus]], a recreation of the 1960s-1970s Hong Kong [[Diana]].
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"Lomography" as a photographic ethos and style is generally centered on a rejection of the increasing "perfectness" of modern camera lens design, light metering, and final rendered images.  The lomography style tends to reject the continued advancement toward cameras that provide sharper, clearer, and more realistic images, and also rejects the heavily refined photo shoots that orchestrate every aspect of the final image.  Lomography seeks to exploit the interpretive and expressive nature of what might otherwise be considered "imperfect" images resulting from the use of low-fidelity cameras and film stocks.
  
 
While Lomography images are often presented as having particularly intense, offbeat colors, this is generally a result of [[cross processing]] the film rather than being an inherent quality of any particular camera or lens.
 
While Lomography images are often presented as having particularly intense, offbeat colors, this is generally a result of [[cross processing]] the film rather than being an inherent quality of any particular camera or lens.
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==The photographic results of "Lomography"==
 
==The photographic results of "Lomography"==
 
===Subjects===
 
===Subjects===
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Everyday people, colorful objects, and unusual or surreal situations and people are just a few examples of common lomographic subjects.
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Everyday people, colorful objects, and unusual or surreal situations and people are just a few examples of common lomographic subjects.  Many typical lomographic images intend to emulate the traditional "snapshot" style of photography, capturing everyday events in a candid, freeze-frame style of expression.
  
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===Focus===
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===Exposure Characteristics===
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Many lomography cameras have unpredictable lens coverage, and due to the plastic lens on almost all Lomography cameras, sharp focus is uncommon. Every lens is a little bit different.
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The most distinct aspect of lomography is the pursuit of what were considered exposure flaws in traditional photography.  These flaws may include such things as:
 +
* inconsistent field of focus (typically the result of unsophisticated lens design and cheap construction)
 +
* pronounced image vignetting (also due to lens design)
 +
* unexpected and widely varying exposure
 +
* lens flares
 +
* light leaks
 +
* low contrast (due to cheap uncoated lenses)
 +
* color shifts (emulating cheap color film stocks, or cross-processed films)
 +
* intentional or unintentional double exposures
  
−
===Degraded edges===  
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==Viral marketing==
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Vignetting is most pronounced with the use of [[medium format]] film on a 12 shot setting ''without'' the use of a frame mask, e.g. when using the [[Diana Plus]].
+
As this movement was created and is run by the "Lomographic Society", who are the sole authorized importer of LOMO products in the West, many have suggested that the Lomographic movement was started as a viral marketing campaign. The Lomographic Society was able to increase the demand for its products by creating an identity group whose members would more-or-less automatically become paying customers. This increased demand led to increased prices. The [[LOMO LC-A]], for example, would cost about $30 US in the former Soviet Union. If bought through the Lomographic Society, the same camera would cost $200 US. Judged in terms of profit and generated hype, this marketing campaign has been very effective.
  
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===Unexpected Colors and Effects===
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==Social Influence==
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Probably the most noticeable aspect of lomography is the unexpected and widely varying exposure, random lens flashes, light leaks, and intentional or unintentional double exposures. Although achieving these effects is undesirable in traditional photography, they are the entire goal of Lomography.
+
During the first decade of the 21st century, as sales of film cameras dropped dramatically and digital cameras sales quickly came to dominate the camera market, a resurging interest in lo-fi film cameras emerged in response.  The aesthetic of this movement closely followed the original tenets of lomography, and plastic cameras such as the [[Holga]] quickly became very popular as an intentional rejection of the digital camera ethic.
  
−
==Viral marketing==
+
Following the release of smartphones with higher quality cameras toward the end of the decade, phone apps such as Hipstamatic (2009) and Instagram (2010) provided built-in photo filters that intentionally emulated many of the lo-fi characteristics of different film cameras and film stocks. During that same decade products for digital cameras that intentionally incorporated lo-fi imaging characteristics, such as the [[Lensbabies|Lensbaby]] line of lenses, gained a significant following among serious digital photographers.
−
As this movement was created and is run by the "Lomographic Society", who are the sole authorized importer of LOMO products in the West, many have suggested that the Lomographic movement was started as a viral marketing campaign. The Lomographic Society was able to increase the demand for its products by creating an identity group whose members would more-or-less automatically become paying customers. This increased demand led to increased prices. The [[LOMO LC-A]], for example, would cost about $30 US in the former Soviet Union. If bought through the Lomographic Society, the same camera would cost $200 US. Judged in terms of profit and generated hype, this marketing campaign has been very effective.
+
 
 +
As of today (2020), the use of the generalized term "lomography" has come to encompass all of these intentionally low-fidelity photographic outputs, regardless of origin or method. The Lomography company itself has embraced this trend, and their current product listing includes not only a wide variety of films and film cameras, but also lenses and accessories for digital cameras and smartphones.
  
 
== Cameras sold by Lomography ==
 
== Cameras sold by Lomography ==
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* [[Diana_Plus#Diana_F.2B|Lomography Diana F+]]
 
* [[Diana_Plus#Diana_F.2B|Lomography Diana F+]]
 
* [[Diana Mini|Lomography Diana Mini]]
 
* [[Diana Mini|Lomography Diana Mini]]
−
* [[Diana Baby 110]]
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* [[Diana Instant Square|Lomography Diana Instant Square]]
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* [[Diana Baby 110]] (2012, re-released in October 2022)
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* [[Lomography Fisheye Baby 110]]
 
* [[Lomography Konstruktor]]
 
* [[Lomography Konstruktor]]
 
* [[Lomography_Konstruktor#Konstruktor F|
 
* [[Lomography_Konstruktor#Konstruktor F|
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* [[Lomography LC-A 120]]
 
* [[Lomography LC-A 120]]
 
* Lomography LOMOKINO
 
* Lomography LOMOKINO
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* [[Lomography Lomolitos]]
 +
* [[Lomography Simple Use]]
 
* [[Lomographic ActionSampler|Lomographic ActionSampler (and Flash model)]]
 
* [[Lomographic ActionSampler|Lomographic ActionSampler (and Flash model)]]
 
* [[Lomography Belair X 6-12]] (6x12 AE panorama folder)
 
* [[Lomography Belair X 6-12]] (6x12 AE panorama folder)
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* [[Lomographic Pop9]]
 
* [[Lomographic Pop9]]
 
* [[Lomographic SuperSampler]]
 
* [[Lomographic SuperSampler]]
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* Lomolitos Single Use
 
 
* Lomographic Spinner Dolphin 360° / Lomographic [[Spinner 360°]]
 
* Lomographic Spinner Dolphin 360° / Lomographic [[Spinner 360°]]
 
* [[Lomography Sprocket Rocket]]
 
* [[Lomography Sprocket Rocket]]
 
* [[Polaroid_Spectra#Spectra_1200FF|Polaroid Spectra Blitz]]
 
* [[Polaroid_Spectra#Spectra_1200FF|Polaroid Spectra Blitz]]
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* [[LomoApparat]] (October 2022)
  
 
==Film ==
 
==Film ==
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*[http://archive.is/lomo.box.sk Lomography News] (archived)
 
*[http://archive.is/lomo.box.sk Lomography News] (archived)
 
*[http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/lomography/index.htm Why I don't like Lomography], from [http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/ Alfred Klomp's camera site]
 
*[http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/lomography/index.htm Why I don't like Lomography], from [http://cameras.alfredklomp.com/ Alfred Klomp's camera site]
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*[http://registry.gimp.org/node/7870 Emulating the Lomo effect in Gimp]
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*[https://web.archive.org/web/20180309032007/http://registry.gimp.org/node/7870 Emulating the Lomo effect in Gimp] (archived)
 
*[http://blog.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/tutorials/learn-to-create-a-retro-lomo-effect-in-photoshop/ Emulating the Lomo effect in Photoshop]
 
*[http://blog.advancedphotoshop.co.uk/tutorials/learn-to-create-a-retro-lomo-effect-in-photoshop/ Emulating the Lomo effect in Photoshop]
  
 
[[Category:LOMO]]
 
[[Category:LOMO]]
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+
[[Category:Lomography]]
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{{glossary}}
 

Latest revision as of 03:35, 23 March 2023

Glossary Terms
130054202_0872e5b89c.jpg
Lomography Fisheye Camera
image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights)

Lomography is a registered trademark of Lomographische AG (Austria). The Lomographic Society International promotes the use of playful and "lo-fi" cameras. The first of these cameras, which lent the society its name, was a copy of the of the Cosina CX-2 sold by Lomo of St. Petersburg, Russia: the LC-A. Since then, many whimsical and intentionally-flawed cameras have been promoted, along with a "shoot from the hip" aesthetic. Viewed as either a modern impressionistic art movement, or a simple (and effective) marketing ploy, Lomography has attracted a large international following around its "10 rules" given below.

As old stocks of the Lomo LC-A and other Russian Lomo products dwindled, LSI increasingly began commissioning its own original designs. Many of these relate somehow to historical cameras, such as their Chinese-built clone of the LC-A, the LC-A+, or the Diana Plus, a recreation of the 1960s-1970s Hong Kong Diana.

"Lomography" as a photographic ethos and style is generally centered on a rejection of the increasing "perfectness" of modern camera lens design, light metering, and final rendered images. The lomography style tends to reject the continued advancement toward cameras that provide sharper, clearer, and more realistic images, and also rejects the heavily refined photo shoots that orchestrate every aspect of the final image. Lomography seeks to exploit the interpretive and expressive nature of what might otherwise be considered "imperfect" images resulting from the use of low-fidelity cameras and film stocks.

While Lomography images are often presented as having particularly intense, offbeat colors, this is generally a result of cross processing the film rather than being an inherent quality of any particular camera or lens.

Lomography's 10 "Rules"

  1. Take your camera everywhere you go.
  2. Use it anytime - day or night.
  3. Lomography is not an interference in your life, but a part of it.
  4. Shoot from the hip.
  5. Approach the objects of your Lomographic desire as close as possible.
  6. Don't think. (William Firebrace)
  7. Be fast.
  8. You don't have to know beforehand what you've captured on film.
  9. You don't have to know afterwards, either.
  10. Don't worry about any rules.

The photographic results of "Lomography"

Subjects

Everyday people, colorful objects, and unusual or surreal situations and people are just a few examples of common lomographic subjects. Many typical lomographic images intend to emulate the traditional "snapshot" style of photography, capturing everyday events in a candid, freeze-frame style of expression.

Exposure Characteristics

The most distinct aspect of lomography is the pursuit of what were considered exposure flaws in traditional photography. These flaws may include such things as:

  • inconsistent field of focus (typically the result of unsophisticated lens design and cheap construction)
  • pronounced image vignetting (also due to lens design)
  • unexpected and widely varying exposure
  • lens flares
  • light leaks
  • low contrast (due to cheap uncoated lenses)
  • color shifts (emulating cheap color film stocks, or cross-processed films)
  • intentional or unintentional double exposures

Viral marketing

As this movement was created and is run by the "Lomographic Society", who are the sole authorized importer of LOMO products in the West, many have suggested that the Lomographic movement was started as a viral marketing campaign. The Lomographic Society was able to increase the demand for its products by creating an identity group whose members would more-or-less automatically become paying customers. This increased demand led to increased prices. The LOMO LC-A, for example, would cost about $30 US in the former Soviet Union. If bought through the Lomographic Society, the same camera would cost $200 US. Judged in terms of profit and generated hype, this marketing campaign has been very effective.

Social Influence

During the first decade of the 21st century, as sales of film cameras dropped dramatically and digital cameras sales quickly came to dominate the camera market, a resurging interest in lo-fi film cameras emerged in response. The aesthetic of this movement closely followed the original tenets of lomography, and plastic cameras such as the Holga quickly became very popular as an intentional rejection of the digital camera ethic.

Following the release of smartphones with higher quality cameras toward the end of the decade, phone apps such as Hipstamatic (2009) and Instagram (2010) provided built-in photo filters that intentionally emulated many of the lo-fi characteristics of different film cameras and film stocks. During that same decade products for digital cameras that intentionally incorporated lo-fi imaging characteristics, such as the Lensbaby line of lenses, gained a significant following among serious digital photographers.

As of today (2020), the use of the generalized term "lomography" has come to encompass all of these intentionally low-fidelity photographic outputs, regardless of origin or method. The Lomography company itself has embraced this trend, and their current product listing includes not only a wide variety of films and film cameras, but also lenses and accessories for digital cameras and smartphones.

Cameras sold by Lomography

3699172085_d3a96ba729_m.jpg
Lomography Diana shop window display
image by AWCam (Image rights)

In addition to the cameras made by the LOMO factory, Lomographic also sells other cameras:

Film

  • Lomography 100/400/800 Color film
  • Lomography Earl Grey B&W 100 ISO film
  • Lomography Lady Grey B&W 400 ISO film
  • Lomography Redscale 50-200 ISO film
  • Lomography Redscale 100 film
  • Lomography Orca 100 ISO B&W 110 Pocket film
  • Lomography Tiger 200 ISO Color 110 Pocket film
  • Lomography Peacock X-Pro 200 ISO 110 Pocket film
  • Lomography Lobster Redscale 200 ISO 110 Pocket film
  • Lomography X-Pro 200 ISO film
  • Lomochrome Purple
  • Lomochrome Turquoise

Links

Retrieved from "http://camera-wiki.org/index.php?title=Lomography&oldid=222290"