Newcomer of the Week: ghost_paper

Jacob Swedlund likens the excitement of shooting on film with reading a gripping book that he cannot simply put down. With endless stories to share, he enthusiastically records his daily adventures and innermost thoughts through photography. Let's get to know our newcomer of the week from Baumholder, Germany, ghost_paper!

Name: Jacob Swedlund
LomoHome: @ghost_paper
Location:

Tell us something about yourself and what you do.

My name is Jacob. I am 15 years old now and I currently live in Germany. I was born in Washington, USA and I've moved around the world quite a bit. From Texas to Alaska, from Paris to Greece - everywhere really except Asia. I absolutely love art and expressing myself visually. I've covered the walls of my room with art and paintings, and I recently picked up my grandfathers old Canon AE-1. So now I plan to cover the empty spaces with photos, and fill the shelves with cameras. Everything that describes me is posted in my room, like my personal offline Facebook.

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

I recently bought a little rangefinder camera, and I had no idea what kind of pictures it takes. So I looked it up and found someone on Lomography that took pictures with this rangefinder. I started exploring more of Lomography and fell in love with this community of film photographers. I ended up making an account as quickly as possible and I also ordered a unique film in the process. Lomography was the world of people that I had been looking for.

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

Rule No.1 (Take your camera everywhere you go.) stands out to me the most. I take my AE-1 everywhere! Eventually, I'll get to places where I can't take it, but it will end up with me anyways. Taking my camera everywhere gives me an a eye for beauty. I start seeing everything through the lens. Sometimes it feels nice to know that I can capture something gorgeous and exotic in this beautiful world

In this digital age, why still film?

Film is so much more hipster! Personally, I have found that film cameras are so much easier to operate. Digital cameras have too many fancy little gizmos and enhancements. Film is special. You are capturing the world using the light surrounding you and not with a digital sensor. I also love the excitement of getting my film developed and seeing the mystery of my photos show itself. It's like an endless book that once you start reading and you can't wait to see what happens next, so you read more!

Your favorite analogue camera as of the moment? Why?

My AE-1 without a doubt! It used to be my grandfather's old camera back when he was younger. He has no idea that I have been using it. It's honestly the only camera I have used so far, but it is a must have if you love film photography. I find it easy to use and it takes very bright, stellar photos. I have more cameras that I'm planning to load with film soon, such as a Polaroid.

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

More than anything, my heart truly desires the Diana F+ Instant Camera. The look of the Diana is truly a beauty, and I think instant cameras are a blast. I have an old Polaroid but the films are just way too expensive and expired film nowadays are too risky to use. So having the Diana would be a dream come true.

Any song or movie you live by?

Music is my life! I have always been the biggest fan of Coldplay, but Snow Patrol's lyrics have always had more impacting on my heart and actions. "Run" is just one of my favorites from them.

Share your current favorite Lomograph. Why is this your favorite?

My favorite? That's a very tough question. I would have to say Lavender Sunrise

Seeing it makes me want to paint the sky or even paint on it.

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

Manon-vacher has to be one out of all the special, inspiring people. She captures the simple, strange, and scary modern world in a very vast, open, and interesting way. I love her works of simple and light colors. There are gorgeous stories waiting to be explored inside every photo.

Icequeenubia also impresses me with her style of taking photos, which is very elegant and swift. (Editor's note: Thank you, Jacob!)

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

Everyday, I look forward to seeing everyone's new film or photo. I always enjoy the Photo of the Day and exploring every new and inspiring lomographers. Each is truly unique and different in their own way.

written by Eunice Abique on 2015-07-12 #lifestyle #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week