Studio Photography with Rebeca Balas and the Lomo Lubitel 166+

In this interview Spanish photographer Rebeca Balas gives us insights into her studio photography practice. These experimental pictures taken with her Lomo Lubitel camera using Berlin Kino 120 and Lomography Color Negative 400 120 films prove how your ideas and unique message can become the main characters of any studio photo shoot.

Hi Rebeca! Welcome to Lomography Magazine! Could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about what you do?

I am Rebeca Balas, a 27-year-old photographer, visual artist, videographer and cinematography student based in Madrid.

How did you get started in analogue photography?

Analogue photography came to my life when I bought a secondhand Zenit 12 XP. I started shooting analogue without any previous knowledge but I quickly got the hang of it and completely fell in love.

Why did you choose to incorporate analogue photography in your professional work?

Because I love the results of the process. I stick to analogue as it allows you to think and prepare much more for each photograph.

What role does it have for you in terms of expressing and communicating your project's message?

I consider it crucial to incorporate analogue photography in my work, not only because it stands out even more but because it makes it much more special. Afterwards, you can always gift a copy of your favorite picture and obtain a physical photo thanks to the negative. The feeling of touching the picture, hanging it in your room is always more magical than watching through your phone’s screen.

You shot this wonderful series on Berlin Kino 120 and Color Negative 400 120 film. Could you tell us about the idea you wanted to convey with these photos?

I wanted to try both 120 films indoors as I have recently opened a studio (@tres.espinas) so I wanted to get out of my comfort zone and try different spaces. With black and white film I tried more natural light, meanwhile using color film I wanted to play with lights.

What was your first impression of the results? Do you have any tips or tricks when using these films?

At the beginning I saw that I was short of light with both films. It's true that the Lubitel has a low diagram, but I still got pictures that I really liked. I would have also liked to try both films outdoors with a different type of lighting. Personally, I would highlight the tones of Color Negative 400, very contrasted and, to my taste, very suitable for this kind of lighting.

How did you discover the Lomo Lubitel camera and what features do you appreciate the most?

I bought it in Contado Pierde, an analogue photography lab I have been a member of for a long time. I saw it and I immediately went for it. I had never tried medium format cameras before and I started with the Lubitel for the first time. I would highlight how easy it is to make double exposures, it's very simple. So simple that sometimes you forget to wind the film and you take it unexpectedly. It happened to me with Luis's film and it's one of the photos I like the most.

Below is a photo I took when I broke my arm. I'm very fond of it since it represents me a lot. It was the first time I used the medium format and I didn't know how the photo was going to turn out as I hadn't tried the camera before.

What do you think of the 120 format?

I love it, the "square" format is even more measured than the 35 mm. Framing is more difficult (at least with the Lubitel) but thanks to the viewfinder on the top the posture is comfortable and allows you to look from points of view that you are not used to with a different format.

What other cameras and formats do you like to work with?

With the Minolta SR-T 100b and the 35 mm format. I take it everywhere and it's a format I like a lot.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you can share with our community?

Right now I'm putting all my energy into a new autobiographical, analogue and trans-media documentary project. With the possibility of making a photobook.

Thanks for sharing your experience with our films! To check more of Rebeca's work, follow her on Instagram.

written by saratierra on 2024-08-29 #gear #people #medium-format #120 #portrait #studio #lomo-lubitel