WHAT IS LOMOGRAPHY ? In this web presentation, I would like to tell you, from my point of view, what Lomography ( Lomo-Photography ) is meant to be. This site deals with: >> lomoCamera, >> lomoGraphers, >> lomoTechniques, >> and taking pictures in the "lomoStyle".   The LOMO CAMERA     >> up What makes the Lomo camera special is its very own way of functioning compared to other common cameras (and in addition to that, is its unique charm). There are some pictures you can only take with a Lomo. The Lomo camera is different from most highly electronical compact cameras on the market. But it is just that which makes it interesting for some special uses. Many of the technical abilities you find in highly-equipped cameras have a significant effect on how the picture is going to look in the end. They are meant to help you take a "good" photo but at the same time they eliminate your own control in taking a picture. They often cut off your creativity and spontaneity in using the camera while trying to simplify its handling. These auto-focused, flashed and programed pictures often lack the special feeling of that special moment. Surprisingly, the Lomo often helps you catch that feeling just through its imperfection. The Lomo camera is produced in St.Petersburg, Russia. Its brand-name "Lomo" comes from "Leningradskoje optiko mechanitscheskoje objedinenije", which translated means "Leningrad optic-mechanic Union". Of course, it is possible to take "Lomo-like" pictues with many other cameras but in these cases you would have to force these cameras to do so. That would, of course, detract from the spontaneous and relaxed element of these photos. The Lomo (usually) does not flash, this sometimes causes pictures to be shaken. Its lens is sufficint, but not of the best quality, the viewfinder is too narrow and sometimes the Lomo gets stuck or brocken so that you have to open it up to repair it. But - it gives you the chance to take unique pictures in a fast and simple way. The element of unpredictability in the process of taking a picture (shaking, areal blurring, etc.) gives many Lomo photos an atmosphere and tension that is missing in many "normal" pictures. The Lomo is not meant to compete with the "usual and aimed" photography it is just an attractive addition. It also can help you to get a more "relaxed" view on the subjects and on the whole photography itself. There are Lomos of the "old" and the "new" generation. With a little luck you might find the "old" Lomos at fleamarkets in the Middle and Eastern parts of Germany. These are cameras which were produced before the "Lomographic Society" existed. You should not pay more then 15 Euro for an old Lomo camera because most of them are in a really bad shape. The "new" Lomo cameras made by the Lomographic Society are much more reliable, but now they cost about 125 Euro DM. You can tell the old ones from the new ones by the Lomo logo (a funny-looking head) and the place of production "made in USSR" instead of "made in Russia".     >> up   THE LOMOGRAPHERS     >> up The Lomographers are (just as this name tells you) primarily users of a Lomo camera, but on top of that, they can be a member of the "Lomographic Society". That depends on where your Lomo camera was acquired and how you feel about it. When you buy a Lomo camera (at an official Lomodealer) you automaticlly get a membership in the Lomo-club. Apart from the repair services, the Lomographic Embassies also offer a series of events and actions. For example, there are Lomo parties, Lomo publications, Lomo competitions, Lomo exhibitions and the Lomo world archive, which documents the events in the world through the Lomo lens. Anyway, we should be thankful to the students of Vienna, who helped to re-start the halted production of Lomo cameras. They made it possible for us to obtain this nice little camera again. From this new beginning, the "Lomographic Society" developed with its few thousand members, its headquarters in Vienna and all the embassies around the world (Berlin, Paris, New York, Hanoi, Sidney, Moskau...). But you should not overestimate the personal service for Lomo members. The employees of the Lomographic Embassies are having a more and more difficult time caring for all of their members. Also the slightly exaggerated "big-happy-family-feeling", should not make you forget the existing commercial interests. Nevertheless - the Lomographic activities and the Lomography are nice and worthwhile, and also the artstic and sociable aspect of many Lomo activities is pretty good. The main lomowebsite ( >> www1.lomo.com) is a very interesting website and just like most of the lomo publications, well designed. It gives a good sense of what Lomography means and shows many good pictures.     >> up   THE LOMOTECHNIQUES     >> up Technical data of the Lomo camera: Pocket camera with automatic program exposure working 32mm Objective, light-intensity 1:2.8 3 tiny button-like batteries Range of film light sensitivity, ISO 25-400 ASA manual ajustable shutter 2.8 -16 bei 1/60 sec Synchronisation (for flash) Shutter speeds from ca: 1/500 sec to even some minutes manual focus focusing range: 0.8 m, 1.5 m, 3.0 m, and "infinity" Possibility to connect a flash and a winder Everyone who enjoys working with technical or mechanical stuff will like using the Lomos. Especially, the old Lomo cameras made in "pre-lomografic" times often screw up a little bit. But often the fairly simple "eastern European technique" is easy to understand and to repair in most cases. (But be careful ! - There is a "hidden" screw under the fake leather casing which is easily overseen - it is underneath the second "O" in the Lomo brand mark.) Because the electrics of the Lomo are a little unstable you should clean the battery-contacts, this will eliminate many small problems. People who like to fool around with cameras in general, might like to know that there are also other kinds of Lomo-cameras. There are Twin-eyed lomocameras of an older generation (for example the Lomo-Lubitel 165), two kinds of Lomo Actionsamplers and even a Lomo that makes you see in the dark. But it must be said that these cameras have a very, very simple "plastic design". But anyway - they can be kind of fun !     >> up   Taking pictures the "LOMOSTYLE"     >> up The Lomo camera is really a practical, fast and simple tool. Without using the little viewer you can take snap-shots while holding the Lomo in your hand. This sometimes causes unfocused or blurred pictures but no matter, it is meant to be that way. The best way to use the Lomo like this, is with in the time automatic mode. Important in this case, is that the Lomo will always open its shutter, as long as it needs to produce a well-exposed picture. So be sure that you hold down the release knob until the Lomo exposure is completed or it will close its shutter too early and your picture will not get enough light. A good way to deal with this is to listen for when the Lomo is "done". Depending on the time of exposure you will hear a short double-click or two clicks with some seconds in between... To play it safe, just do not let go of the knob too quickly. What is good about this is that you have the chance to have some influence on the exposure-time if you want to. You do that by lifting your finger earlier, or by covering the light sensor next to the ASA-ajustment wheel. Once you have figured out how to grasp your Lomo, open it up, adjust and shoot pictures quickly, you will not want to miss this way of photography again. I always use slide-film with my Lomo so that I can immediately see what I have got after development and decide which pictures I want to enlarge or scan. Also the slide film (espcecially slightly under-exposed) has a strong coloring which I like on my Lomo pictures. The Lomographic Society and some shops offer special Lomo film. This is a color-negative film that is supposed to have especially strong colors. So you often see "official" Lomo pictures enlarged on very small formats and arranged as patterns in very colorful settings. There are even "ten golden Lomo rules" but I think Nr.10 is the best. It tells you not to follow any rules. But the very main thing is the fun you will have taking pictures with the Lomo camera. ; )     >> up