Newcomer of the Week: whimsicalgrid

Nursing students Xiang Cong and Xin Yi record fleeting moments and narrate stories through their street photographs. Having the same goals and aspirations, they created the LomoHome whimsicalgrid to showcase their collective work. Know more about this talented couple and how they inspired each other to shoot film.

Name: Xiang Cong and Xin Yi
LomoHome: whimsicalgrid
Location: Singapore, Singapore

Tell us something about yourself and what you do.

Xiang Cong: I am a 24-year old student taking up nursing in Singapore. I regard photography as a communication tool where I can relate the subject’s stories. Therefore, my girlfriend, Xin Yi, and I created a Facebook page to showcase our photos.

Xin Yi: I am a 22-year old student who is also majoring in nursing like Xiang Cong. I feel that photography can capture the momentary, non-verbal details of life. Through photographs, people can always look back at their past and relive those moments.

How did you find the Community and who/what convinced you to join?

Xiang Cong: Actually, Xin Yi had been taking pictures with her analog cameras, most of which are Lomography cameras, years ago. She was the one who told me about the wonders in the website. Since I am taking pictures with analog cameras, I thought why not share them to the world?

Xin Yi and I agree that we are partners who have the same goals and dreams in photography. If we were to create two separate accounts, it would be difficult to relate these similar interests to other community members.

Xin Yi: I joined the Community after I got my first analogue camera and I just used it to view photos that fellow lomo enthusiasts took. I was not active in the Community then. Years later, Xiang Cong reignited my passion for analog photography and I became more active in the Community!

As you have read the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, what rule do you apply in your everyday life?

Xiang Cong: Rule #6 (Don’t think.) and Rule #7 (Be fast.) Have you ever experienced having a camera in your hand but for some reasons couldn’t capture a scene that you want? Most likely, there will never be another chance to recreate that same scene. As a street photographer, I want to capture these fleeting moments. I will set my camera beforehand and quickly capture the scene without much contemplation. Every second counts!

Xin Yi: Rule #10 (Don’t worry about any rules.) The fun thing about using film is waiting for it to be developed and getting your photos back. We don’t really exactly know how it will turn out. Life is unpredictable just like analog photography. So why follow any rules? Just shoot and live the way you want.

In this digital age, why still film?

Xiang Cong: Before I went into analog photography, I was already taking pictures with a DSLR. I was initially unconvinced that analog cameras can take great pictures. Then, Xin Yi suggested trying out the Canon EOS 88 and I’m glad I did. The color and saturation of film cannot be recreated from a digital camera. Since then, I was hooked on analogue photography.

Xin Yi: I see film photography as a form of adventure. Two different types of films can give the exact same subject a completely different feel! Using film gives us the freedom to imagine and never fails to provide unexpected results!

Your favorite analogue camera as of the moment? Why?

Xiang Cong: Currently, I often bring out my Canon EOS 88. I like to have control over light. Moreover, I can interchange the lenses when the need arises.

Xin Yi: For now, I guess it should be the La Sardina. Somehow, it just appeals more to me than my other cameras.

What is the Lomography camera you’d want to have someday?

Xiang Cong: Afterr looking through many awesome photos taken by this camera, I would love to have a Lomo LC-A+ someday. And of course, I would also like to have a Petzval Lens to complement my Canon EOS 88. I simply love the swirly blurred background.

Xin Yi: A Lomo LC-Wide because this camera can be used to shoot in different formats using just a 35mm film.

Any song or movie that you live by?

Xiang Cong: The Star Wars movies are my favourites. There was a particular scene in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, which I remember fondly. Luke Skywalker was being trained by Jedi Master Yoda in the planet Dagobah. In this scene, Luke could not lift his X-wing fighter, which was submerged in a swamp, because he thought it was “too heavy." Yoda proved him wrong and lifted the X-wing fighter and brought it back to land. Astonished, Luke said, “I can’t believe it." The wise Yoda replied, “That is why you fail."

I closely live by this story as it reminds me to believe in myself, despite the obstacles, and I will achieve my dreams.

Xin Yi: Plenty of them, not just one. Different lyrics or different movie scenes can piece up together to form what I actually live by!

Share your current favorite Lomograph, could be yours or a friend’s. Why?

Xiang Cong: One thing about being a photographer is that you often do not have the chances to take picture of yourself (unless you are taking a selfie). So, I suggested to Xin Yi that we should have an analog photo together. And so here’s the result!

Xin Yi: Currently, it will be the profile photo in our LomoHome! It was our first multiple exposure shot using the Lomo’Instant. It turned out close to perfect and the heart shape was formed!

Any Community member you look up to? If so, why him or her?

Xiang Cong: I admire hodachrome because he takes really nice multiple exposure photos. I aim to be as good as him one day.

Xin Yi: Currently, I don’t actually follow any specific community member, but I agree with Xiang Cong that hodachrome’s photography skills are just amazing.

What are you looking forward to in our community?

Xiang Cong: I’m a person who loves to travel and explore. Lomography has provided a platform where community members can submit their photos. From there, I can see the beautiful countries where they live or have traveled to. Hence, I am definitely looking forward to more photos contributed by members.

Xin Yi: I always look forward to photographs which relate to my interests which are multiple-exposures and landscapes. I hope that I can improve my skills by learning from the rest in the community.

written by Eunice Abique on 2015-02-22 #lifestyle #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week