Forget “Serious” Cameras. I Want a Toy!

Does anyone else feel like cameras have just gotten more complicated since they went digital? I remember when I was a youngin’ and I discovered my Grandpa’s old Cannon SLR — I’m talkin film, people. Unfortunately I can’t share what model it was or get into any more specifics because I lost the thing before I realized it was worth holding on to. Now, what made this camera so great was that I understood what the heck all the little buttons meant and when I took pictures on that camera I felt in complete control of that machine.

After I lost that camera I bought another film SLR that had lots of digital controls and things were never the same. Then eventually I moved on to a true DSLR, and while I do like my camera, I miss the chemical smell and feel of film prints and the entire low-tech photography process.

Enter the Holga. Billed as a “toy,” this inexpensive medium format 120 flim camera is not really a toy at all. Its defining feature is its plastic lens, which produces shots with a softer focus and vibrant colors. The camera also has some little quirks; it is extremely unpredictable. The camera’s plastic body is prone to light leaks, blurring and other distortions. But these quirks are what make the Holga so fantastic. Professional photographers and amateurs alike have embraced the unpredictable behavior of the Holga. It has inspired people to just let. it. go. Stop trying to be so in control! Have some fun wondering what surprises the Holga has in store for you!

In fact, people have been known to make their own modifications to the Holga and other similar “toys” (Wikipedia Diana, Lubitel, and Lomography for more info). Holgas can be fitted with a Polaroid back, allowing people to create instant photos with a Holga twist. Others paint the inside of the camera to minimize the reflection of light leaks or add tiny silhouettes to the inside of the lens that then show up in the print. Pretty cool, huh?

Here’s some pictures of shots taken with a Holga camera. I got them from http://microsites.lomography.com/holga/ so check them out for more information