Lomography - Is it about the camera or the artist?

[alvinsclee]

I can see a lot of heated arguments here and elsewhere regarding "Lomography". It can be quite confusing for someone new (like me). Those who are against it often cite the Lomographic Society's requirement; that is, it must be taken by a 'LOMO' camera (commercial ugliness wearing an arty-farty mask?). Of course, those who see lomography as another form of abstract art will defend it with equally strong passionate energy.

I am reminded of how some well-known figures in abstract art were regarded as extremely unconventional during their era. At the same time, I am also wondering if the tools used to express these art masterpieces mattered... I mean, what if Picasso is still alive and given the latest proper DSLR to paint with light?

Perhaps, it is time to redefine lomography in context within the art arena. Lomography may have its roots in commercialisation, but I do wish that it will eventually evolve into a fine art discipline of its own.

I hope that this post will not stir up a wild hornets' nest... but that it will encourage one to look for the bees' honey in the comb. Let the evolution begin!

 

[TrailsofLife]

Lomo is about.....aiyah, dun think so hard....just shoot!

 

[ndroo]

"The camera or the artist?"

... no ... the fun!

 

[alvinsclee]

"The camera or the artist?"

... no ... the fun!

Maybe I can venture to add this too: ... the freedom!
(freedom of art expression and freedom from Lomographic Society rules )

 

[vortex]

when 'lomography' first commercialised.....i also thought it was way overhyped.

now that it has kinda died out abit....i noticed more 'fine art' photography based on toy cameras like the holga. which i feel is a better direction of course.

think the ppl against "lomo" should direct their anger towards the people that commercialised it.

as with any system (dslr, film, lomo, rangefinders, medium format etc)...its the end result that ppl look at.

one good thing for sure.....it keeps film alive still! :thumbsup:

 

[alvinsclee]

when 'lomography' first commercialised.....i also thought it was way overhyped.

now that it has kinda died out abit....i noticed more 'fine art' photography based on toy cameras like the holga. which i feel is a better direction of course.

think the ppl against "lomo" should direct their anger towards the people that commercialised it.

as with any system (dslr, film, lomo, rangefinders, medium format etc)...its the end result that ppl look at.

one good thing for sure.....it keeps film alive still! :thumbsup:

Nice way to see it. Again, I am wondering if it must be on film... artists are always free to choose different medium of expression. Digital art is one important component of the modern art movement too.

 

[TrailsofLife]

Vortex, I using digital leh.....it doesn't matter lah.....film or digital....as long as its not your usual photograph...

be it pinhole, diana, holga or lca.... doesn't matter.

 

[YogiBear]

Lomography - its a celebration about the imperfections of the world

the best medium to capture the imperfections is to use film

 

[alvinsclee]

Lomography - its a celebration about the imperfections of the world

the best medium to capture the imperfections is to use film

The word 'film' had long been associated with modern cellulose acetate / polycarbonate negative rolls... but I find it more closely related to the thin and even spread of emulsion film of photosensitive chemicals coated on glass 'photographic plates'... that was the original 'film' and the original imperfection... :bsmilie:

 

[Stereobox]

I can see a lot of heated arguments here and elsewhere regarding "Lomography". It can be quite confusing for someone new (like me). Those who are against it often cite the Lomographic Society's requirement; that is, it must be taken by a 'LOMO' camera (commercial ugliness wearing an arty-farty mask?). Of course, those who see lomography as another form of abstract art will defend it with equally strong passionate energy.

I am reminded of how some well-known figures in abstract art were regarded as extremely unconventional during their era. At the same time, I am also wondering if the tools used to express these art masterpieces mattered... I mean, what if Picasso is still alive and given the latest proper DSLR to paint with light?

Perhaps, it is time to redefine lomography in context within the art arena. Lomography may have its roots in commercialisation, but I do wish that it will eventually evolve into a fine art discipline of its own.

I hope that this post will not stir up a wild hornets' nest... but that it will encourage one to look for the bees' honey in the comb. Let the evolution begin!

woah...that's a lot of cheemology being tossed around in there :sweat:

to clear up the so-called 'confusion', let's face the facts. Lomography can generally be defined as any (photographic) activity or service associated with products marketed by Lomographische AG of Austria. (aka the lomographic society international).

simple as that, isn't it?

i am therefore confused when you mentioned, "lomography as another form of abstract art"?
lomography cameras can be used to create abstract art, but using them doesn't necessarily qualify all the pictures as 'abstract art'.

likewise, there are already some fine-art photography out there created on lomographic cameras, being exhibited in galleries and all that. but some of us just want to have fun, not create fine-art. lomography just take on whatever forms the photographers demand.

the much-touted "10 rules of lomography" isn't exclusive only to lomography. none of it is. it's just a mindset the lomographic society tries to preach to the followers.

try to see it this way. just like how Apple have its own Mac-fans, japanese car-makers have devoted car-fans forums. nikon cameras+users = nikon-ography. get the clearer picture now?

in other words, don't take it too seriously la. defeats the very purpose itself. we will only be victims of irony itself.

to answer your thread's question : lomography is about the camera and how the artist uses it. the two cannot be separated.

 

[hanabi_ii]

neither. it's about the fun of pressing the shutter and excitement of waiting for the pictures.

to me, my Holga is a girl. the effects are always changing.