Before, all I knew in the photography world was digital. Until that one day, I gloriously stumbled upon this fabulous website, with all its colors and wonders, and with the help of that website, I found my self venturing wherever I could possibly go. This is a tale of how I learned that ANYWHERE is a THE place to be.
Photo by rachelvanity
We start out with me, sitting at the computer, browsing for hours as I normally would find myself doing. Being a photography nut, I somehow stumbled upon lomography.com. I was instantly drooling. “What ARE these little cameras?” “How do they create such stunning photographs?” I would ask myself repeatedly.
I knew, right then and there, I had to get my hands on a plastic fantastic.
I spent hours looking at every little item the shop had to offer. I had no idea what I was doing. Having never shot with film before, I had nothing to go by in my start in this dear journey.
All the cameras screamed at me " PICK ME! PICK ME!" Then I saw her, in all her glory. She had so many outfits to choose from. So many accessories that made her beautiful. I just had to have her. I decided on which outfit I liked the best, added to cart, and waited for my Diana F+ to show up at my house dressed in her Snowcat addition outfit.
Photo by rachelvanity
Once Diana and I got comfortable with each other, the shooting commenced. The first roll of film was shot entirely in my room probably. I was just THAT excited. Then I took her out for parties.
One day, I decided the confinements of my place of dwelling were not enough. I took Diana for a walk, and thus it began. I couldn’t get enough of it. Trails, trees, fields, streets, light poles, signs, clouds, the sun. Before Diana, you couldn’t bribe me into going into the forest just for the fun of it. Now I look forward to it like it’s my birthday. She even kept me outside for long periods of time in the winter, and I despise nothing more than cold weather.
As a working girl, I don’t get to do this as much as I’d like, but every chance I get, I take my children (the three cameras I now own) on walks and adventures. I will continue to do this until I go bankrupt from processing fees, or until I die.
ANYWHERE is THE place to be.
Note: I’d just like to let all of you know, I still spend hours on this website, still drooling and wanting every camera they sell, and being amazed by all your pictures. I actually have ALL of you to thank.
18 comments
lighttomysoul
I know the feeling. :) You just want to shoot everything, especially when it's your first! but I've now gotten to the point where I'm trying to not waste film by taking pictures of my teacup for example.... Even though I'd like to know what my teacup looks from the eye of the Diana Mini.... I may have to find out :)
ingwaybee
I was super excited like that when I first started but then I saw my first rolls of film. I was quite disappointed not only with the technicals but with the random subjects I would take. I learned to chill a little and actually think about what I was shooting and how it would look like and like @lighttomysoul I managed not to waste film and get more out of it instead.
wuxiong
Congratulations to you, you have found something you 'd be more than happy to work with.....<:)
rachelvanity
@lighttomysoul @ingwaybee I'm totally on the same boat. I used to go through a roll a day, at least, if not two. I still find myself taking pictures of any old thing, but I've calmed down a bit and started thinking about what I was shooting instead of just shooting it. I still have trouble with the Diana, but that doesn't stop me from trying everything I can with her, and doing what I love.
rachelvanity
@wuxiong Thank you. =) So happy all of my money is going toward analog instead of a dSLR that I wanted before I found about about lomography and the joys of toy/film cameras.
simonh82
I'm completely with you on this one. I used to spend too much time on the sofa, I have lomography to thank for getting me off my arse and out in to the world. Nice article.
eqbal
Lomography made me appreciate every little thing i see :) and my Canon AE-1 captures everything i find interesting and beautiful :D Great work!
rachelvanity
Thank you all for the likes and comments. =)
willyboy
Did you not go outside before?
rachelvanity
@willyboy No, I was one of those shut-ins. No, not really. But I definitely did not have the desire and drive to be outside as much as I am before film photography.
jonalon
this so relates to me! i'm just like you! i just want to go out.. but as i can't drive i can't keep shooting in my little village D:
naomac
Great stuff I now walk a lot more to places I have to go and leave a little earlier so I can take photo's along the way.
naomac
I even take a camera on the dog walks incase of something interesting.
ryuhei
the diana was my first film camera too :) and it really brought me into photography :) ive always been into photography but digital SLR's are just to boring for me. she comes everywhere with me! if you know me, you know my diana!!!!!! :)
santafire
36crazyfists
aprilia
I'm totally with youuuuu! My story is just like yours ;)
annik_a