LomoGuru of the Week: Elvismartinezsmith

From where he is from, love isn’t hard to find. Well at least that’s what you think when you hear of the most romantic city in the world called Paris.

Beautiful sights, a historical landmark, great food, and good people. Paris is one of the best cities to be and also one of the best places to meet a brilliant Lomographer! You got it, this week’s LomoGuru is from that lovely city and is no stranger to our Community. Thousands of Lomographs, hundreds of Lomographic friends, and more than a decade of shooting, we sure are in for a treat with this interview! Let us not keep ourselves waiting for elvismartinezsmith is here to tell us his Lomography story as we showcase his awesome film photography work! Enjoy!

Name: Martin Smith
Lomography Username: elvismartinezsmith
Location: Paris, France
Number of years as a Lomographer: 11
Number of years in the Community: Four

Tell us something about yourself… What do you do for a living? What are your main interests?*

I have a daily job as a project manager (not that interesting) and use most of my free time for my bands, Les Freres Smith, and the Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra. Two orchestras each with a dozen of musicians, playing music genres going from afrobeat to psychedelic 70s jazz. Analog baby!

I also love travels and photography of course! As well as designing artworks by hijacking vintage ads and Russian propaganda (really digging the philosophy and visual art of constructivism!)

Please tell us something about your LomoHome’s name.

I use the same name for all my ‘artistic’ activities. It’s a loooooong story why I got this surname! I’m really bad at finding nicknames, so I accepted this one and used it all around. Some friends even call me Elvis! Not a fan of it, but that’s funny in the end. And it’s nothing to do with the fact that I am a guitarist or looks similar to the king. It comes from another Elvis, Martinez, king of Bachata music… Now I’ve said too much.

Share to us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

I don’t have one in particular… But maybe winning an LC-A+ with the Brazilian Petrobras competition and also the same camera in the Paris Velib Rumble Grand Prix Du Jury. It was all in one week! I felt like a Lomo star. Hehehe!

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends?

Several! Actually I’ve been staying more or less in touch with all those I’ve met. I’m quite busy and not that social in everyday life so it might be hard sometimes, but I’ve met lots of great people who I can now consider as real friends. Among which the all parisians team jeabzz, adbigmilk, fabien, guiguiste, mikahsupageek and even those who came from other places and now live in Paris: oneira1927, zenline, pussylove, ccinparis. Then the ones who I’ve met when abroad or those who have visited Paris — the fantastic atria007, vgzalez, sonya1980 plus littlekoala from Madrid, mafiosa from Canada, and others I can’t think of right now because it is one big Lomo family!

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

Of course. There are films in my fridge that could be used in a whole life plus I’m not the kind of person who would leave with an empty stash!

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences while using this camera?

The LC-A was the first one I got, an old 1986 version, so I have a special feeling for this one and the photos it produced. It is also a very handy camera to bring everywhere so yes, he is the best companion. I also love the Diana and the Holga (which I have smashed and re-bought a couple of times) for their plastic lenses. They are so versatile and surprising! Most of the time I get dissapointed with my shots, but when something strange happens, it can be magic.

And a special mention for the Spinner 360! Really innovative and unique. There are so many ways to have fun with it, be creative, and think of photography in a totally different way. Even with smartphone apps in which you don’t get anything similar to what the Spinner can do!

Please share your most favourite Lomographic photo that you took. Why?

Hard to choose just one. But maybe this one!

It gathers what I love from a Diana photograph which are a surprise, weird colors and light leaks! I shot it during an amazing trip in West Africa and it is now the album cover to Afro Latin Vintage Orchestra’s third album from the great Ubiquity label. Quite proud that one of my low-fi photos and amateur design creation made it that far. Homecooking is the best!

Please share a Lomograph you wish you took and explain why.

Hmmm, again there are so many amazing Lomographs on the website and I really can’t think of and name just one. But there are Lomographers I remember from few years ago who smashed my head with their crazy photos and motivated me a lot to get more into Lomography! They are panelomo, bccbarbosa, stouf, and maxpinckers to name a few.

What’s the best Lomographic or photography advice you think you have given?

Shoot what you see, not photos.

If there’s one song or movie that best describes your Lomo life, what is that and why?

Fela Kuti – Water No Get Enemy (or any Fela song but try this one first if you don’t know him>) It’s African analogue music with a great sense of improvisation. It may seem long, crappy, and repetitive at first, but at the end of the tune, you are dancing.

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

Don’t be afraid of the surprises such cameras may produce, chase them.

Do you think you’re qualified as a LomoGuru? Got something to share in our Community? Then drop me a line at mayee.gonzales@lomography.com and you might become the next LomoGuru!

written by mayeemayee on 2013-07-28 #lifestyle #elvismartinezsmith #lomoguru #community-interview