Year-Round Lomography life in Winnipeg with Community LomoAmigo whynotwinnipeg

One great thing about Canada are the four seasons. There’s always a great backdrop for photographs and Community LomoAmigo whynotwinnipeg, a.k.a. Tatsuya, tells us all about that! Read on to hear about his tips of shooting for every season and also for some stunning photographs!

Name: Tatsuya
Lomohome: whynotwinnipeg
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Hello Tatsuya! Tell us a bit about yourself!

Hi there:) I was born and raised in Japan, completed my high school education there, and I decided to study overseas for my post-secondary education. Since my friend was already studying in Winnipeg, Canada, I ended up studying here as well.

I enjoy taking photos a lot. One of the reasons why I love it is because people enjoy my photography and I feel that I can make people around me happy by sharing my photos. Nowadays, I am really happy about understanding and appreciating film photography very much.

How long have you been a Lomographer and how many analogue cameras do you own?

I think I have been a Lomographer for… about a year? I have been shooting film photography for some years, but I started being much aware of Lomography last year, I think. My good friend, gelagoo, started converting me a couple of years ago, and now I am so addicted with this lovely analogue world!

I think I have around 15… I pick one whenever I go out, depends how I feel on that day!

Do you have a favourite camera that you just can’t live without? What is it and why?

Here it is. Yashica-D, an old medium format camera. It is a Twin-Lens-Reflex camera, also known as TLR. The Lubitel 166+ from Lomography is very simliar to the Yashica-D TLR. Since the day I owned this camera, I have been fascinated with taking photos with medium format. I like taking portrait photos of people, so I tried taking it with this Yashica-D on the day I owned. It is GREAT!

I think medium format gives great feeling toward the photo, but also I like the warm feeling of the result. I think it is coming from the camera – I would say the good old film effect! If someone asks me to pick one camera out of all the collection, I would pick my Yashica. :)

One great thing about living in Canada are the four seasons! What’s your favourite season to photograph in?

I would say winter. Many people do complain about winter in Winnipeg because our winter goes longer than other places. Recently I met gepo1303 on my Lomohome – He knows about it even though he lives in Belgium! Winter is not bad. Air gets clear and some snow scenes are just so beautiful. When you see it, you simply want to go out and shoot…even if it is minus 40 degree celsius. Too cold? Get together with friends and mingle!

If spring comes, cherish it with friends:)

Summer? You will love it instantly! You’ve got to come and chill with us!

Summer is over? Don’t you be so worried, autumn is stunning.

You live in Winnipeg, Manitoba – Where in Winnipeg do you think is the best place to take photos?

Downtown Winnipeg is quite scenic, you will certainly enjoy the classic building art. Winnipeg also has huge diversity in culture. That means, you can experience different food as well! If you like food photography, come and enjoy food. There are lots of good restaurants around the city! If you like street photography, Winnipeg’s got some talent! I have lived here more than 10 years now, you still get to see a different ‘everyday’ through the lens.

Pick your absolute favourite photograph and give us the details – Who, what, when, where, why, how and of course, what camera!

I actually shot this in Japan in the summer of 2012. I was back in Japan to see my family. One of my close friends from Winnipeg was visiting Japan as well, so I took him around my dad’s home town, Gunma. When we hiked this mountain, it was so mysterious because it was very foggy, just an amazing feeling. It was a cloudy and rainy day, thought maybe it wasn’t too good a time to shoot photos, but my Lomography Redscale XR 50-200 made my day (It was a gift from gelagoo, thanks!). This person was a stranger, but I love how they’re holding their umbrella. It just reminds me of the exact moment I was there. I was using my Nikon F3 at that time.

What is your favourite type of film to use?

To be honest, I am not that picky about film types. I think I am happy whenever I get good shots with any films. But if I need to be specific and choose some, I like Ilford HP5 PLUS for 35mm B&W, Fujicolor Pro 160S for medium format colour negative, and any expired 120 films are always fun to shoot.

If you could take your cameras and go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Japan – I need to know more about my country. Since I am a teacher, I want to know my country to tell my students. Photos are very good visual aids to use in classroom! Nowadays, students much appreciate visual aids to understand things better.

I also dream about traveling in India and Africa since I studied history in university. One day, I’d like to go for a backpack trip with my camera!

And Lastly, any advice for new Lomographers?

Be happy! :) Always stay positive. I believe that photography often reflects your insight and emotion. If you are happy, I think you can take happy photos, and you can make others happy.

I used to compare myself with others, but you don’t have to do that. Your photos are always the best to you as memory sake. Enjoy what you take and cherish them. Share ideas and photos with your friends, spread Lomo love!

“Don’t worry, be happy!”

written by ashleyaang on 2013-02-01 #people #summer #medium-format #winter #canada #spring #autumn #fall #winnipeg #community #friends #seasons #lomoamigo #manitoba