Lomography

Diana Instant Back+ Behind-the-Scenes With Camera Development Manager Cat
written by kazarareta on March 24th, 2009 , 5 comments (2 votes)

After our exciting interview with fashion department director and product development manager Kathi, we now go southeast-side to one of the consumer goods capitals of the world, Hong Kong! We take a short analogue side trip, packing along some delicious dumplings. This time, we got a chance to take a glimpse on the life of Mr. Cat Ong, the mystery man responsible for those innovative new Lomographic cameras delivered to your doorstep when you splurge!

First, introduce yourself and what you do for Lomography.

I am Cat Ong from Hong Kong (rhymes well, eh?) I am the Division Manager for Camera Development at Lomography. I am responsible for the development of new camera ideas and as well as manufacturing.

Tell us your story on how you ended up working for Lomography.

I graduated with a degree in Design at Hong Kong’s Polytechnic University. After that I worked as a journalist in a local young, trend and culture magazine. Writing articles about photography, art and culture (especially collecting vintage cameras). In 2004 I was invited to report on the Beijing LomoWorld Congress. By this chance I met the Sally, Matthias and Wolfgang (the founders of Lomography) and maintain a good friendship with them after that. In 2006 I joined Lomography for publishing work and later changed to camera development.

So how does a day in the life of Lomography’s Camera development team look like?

I work for Lomography Vienna headquarters, but do work in the Hong Kong office remotely. Everyday I work with my good team partner Chun (another camera guy work in this craze team). We think about new ideas for Lomgraphy, making prototypes, testing sample cameras and communicating with the factories making the camera ideas happen.

What’s your Lomographic philosophy like?

Livin’ analogue ideas and the analogue life.

Suggest three good places where our Analogue friends could hang out in Hong Kong.

• First is a place called Apliu Street It is a place you may able to pick up second hand cameras at very good prices!

• Wonton Noodle Stores. It is something I miss very much if I on business trip!

• The Lomography Gallery Store Hong Kong. Come and visit our shop and nice staff! – G/F, No.2 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.

Which guy from the Lomostaff do you admire the most, and why?

Of course my good and only partner Chun in the Camera Development team. He is well talented in photography. He is also very skillful in making cameras.

After trying the new “Diana Instant Back+”, how does it feel shooting instant film from an originally-intended 120mm format camera?

It is a very different experience. With the N/B shutter setting of Diana+ camera, you can truly explore the possibility of the Fujifilm instax film. You can get the result immediately, as a result, you shoot more! For the 120 format, it is a unique square format, you can replace it either way!

Pick one of your Diana Instant Back+ shots at random, then tell us a short story of how the photo you chose came about.

It was morning at Terminal 5 in London Heathrow. Only our Diana+ camera could capture the atmosphere of the sunrise on the Instax.

Given that you’re using the Instax back with your Diana F+, which of the arsenal of lenses would you be attaching to it for the most part?

I am a wide-angle guy, I like the 38mm Superwide lens. (55mm is also good, very LC-A!)

Any final words for Lomographers who would be stopping by on our side of the world?

Be creative! Enjoy the freedom of the Diana instant back+!