Lomography

I’m glad to introduce our newest LomoAmigo, Chan Teik Quan, otherwise known as tomkiddo. Young, but full of creativity and possibilities! Get to know more about him as he is this week’s Community LomoAmigo!

Photo by tomkiddo

Name: Chan Teik Quan
LomoHome username: tomkiddo
City: Shah Alam, Malaysia

Photos by tomkiddo

Tell us about yourself. What do you do for a living? What are your interests?
I’m a 17-year-old boy and a student and, obviously, I’m still under my parents’ care. I paint and I write poems. I write short stories too, but I’m not really good at it. I have a great interest in mythology and spiritualism. I’m also an amateur tarot card reader. And of course, I’m an avid Lomographer. I’m kind of an ambitious person, I dream to become a painter, writer, model, photographer, spiritualist and teacher when I’m older. I want to teach English, Malay and Art.

Photos by tomkiddo

Why did you choose “tomkiddo” as your nickname?
Well, ‘Tom’ is actually my nickname, but I don’t encourage anyone to call me that – only my really close friends call me that. And I got ‘Kiddo’ from a friend of mine I met on Myspace. She used to call me ‘Kiddo’ all the time, so I decided to use it as my username on the internet. That’s how I got my username.

How long have you been a Lomographer and how did you find out about the Community?
I have been a Lomographer for almost 2 years now, 1 year and 9 months to be exact. It was my brother who told me about Lomography because his friend had a Diana Mini and he encouraged me to try it. At first, I didn’t really care about it because I thought it was impossible to shoot film in this digital world and I also thought that films were hard to acquire these days. But I was absolutely wrong about it, so I got myself a Holga 135BC to start with and got hooked instantly.

Photos by tomkiddo

What Lomography cameras do you use and which is your absolute favourite?
I currently have 7 Lomography cameras. They are the Holga Holga 135BC, Fisheye No. 2, Spinner 360°, LomoKino, SuperSampler, Holga CFN 120 and Diana F+ and my favourite is definitely the Holga CFN 120. It is my favourite because even though it wields a plastic lens, it sometimes produces really clear pictures. The pictures I get from the Holga CFN 120 are unpredictable, so it’s a surprise every time I get my Holga CFN 120 shots back from the lab. I think I’m a really lucky Holga CFN 120 because a lot of people seem to have problems shooting with Holgas. The Holga CFN 120 is a great camera, no doubt.

Photos by tomkiddo

What or who inspires you and your photography?
I find inspiration on Lomography and Tumblr mostly. There are some Lomographers that I really like in the Community. I love satomi and mephisto19’s work very much, they’re really awesome! Marilyn Manson also inspires me and my photography. I’m a big fan of his and his music. His style is really cool.

If you had to choose one picture, which one would be your favourite?
This picture is my favourite, it is titled ‘Vanity’. I’m really proud of this picture, it is perfect to me.

Photo by tomkiddo

Tell us the most unforgettable, strangest, funniest, or worst photographic/Lomographic encounter you have ever had.
The worst Lomographic encounter I have ever had, would be the first time I shot a slide film. I still remember, it was an AgfaPhoto CT Precisa. I sent it to Fujifilm to develop, I didn’t know that they don’t cross-process, and I waited for it to process. It actually took them almost 2 months to be sure that they can’t cross-process and give me back the film. I was really angry, but lastly my brother’s friend helped me send it to a lab that does cross-processing and I got it back after a few hours. That is probably the worst and the most unforgettable Lomographic encounter I have ever had.

Photos by tomkiddo

We see you have a ton of experience taking portraits of all age groups – what are some of the challenges?
It is actually quite easy to shoot portraits, It’s not difficult unless you’re taking strangers’ portraits. I don’t find any problem when taking other people’s pictures but when it comes to taking my sister’s pictures, it can be really nerve-wracking sometimes. It’s hard to ask her to dress up for me because she doesn’t like dressing up, but, to be honest, she is a really good model.

Do you prefer taking photographs of children or grown-ups. Why?
Taking photographs of both children and grown-ups are enjoyable. I like photographing children because I like their natural, random and silly expressions. When taking well-composed pictures, it is easier to attain with grown-ups.

Photos by tomkiddo

If you could bring your cameras and film anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why
If I could, I would go to Paris, France. I have always wanted to visit Paris – I hear that it’s a very beautiful place. 

What tips and tricks would you share for new Lomographers?
Learn to take risks. You don’t always get what you expected. Be experimental, you will be amazed by the unpredictability of your Lomography cameras. 

Photo by tomkiddo

You can find more special photos in tomkiddo’s LomoHome. Be sure to check them out and perhaps strike a conversation with him and make a new Lomography Community friend!