Image-Suthita Chanachaisuwan Reveals the Beauty of "Stolen Moments" with the Lomomatic 110 camera

Image-Suthita Chanachaisuwan received her first film camera from her father back in high school. These days she continues to experiment and explore new techniques, sharing her work on her Facebook page, 500daysofimage. and recently taking her first adventure with the Lomomatic 110 camera.

In this interview we learn more about Image’s inspirations and the joy she finds in film photography, as well as showcasing her unique photos. Let’s dive in!

Hello, welcome to Lomography Magazine! When did you discover film photography for the first time?

I first came across film photography in high school when I found my father’s old Nikon F-301 with a Nikkor 50mm F1.8 lens, a complete set! It became my first camera ever.

My first roll was in 2013, a Kodak Colorplus 200. Back then, the price is only 87 baht, so cheap! People weren’t using Google Drive that much, so I’d get the photos processed and saved onto a CD or thumb drive to make them easy to preview. I think CDs were 2.50 baht per disk at the time. I wonder what they cost now.

Can you tell us about the beginning of 500 Days of Image ?

I absolutely love the movie 500 Days of Summer. The colors, the cinematography, the outfits, the mood, it’s all amazing. I’m a big fan of Zooey Deschanel too. The movie doesn’t follow a chronological timeline, and that feels a lot like shooting on film by the time you see the developed photos, the moments aren’t necessarily in life’s timeline. So, I thought I’d take that concept and make it my own, but I’m the main character this time telling my own story!

Tell us about your wonderful song Film. What inspired this?

Immersion in something can make it feel effortless. I believe that everyone who loves photography sometimes unconsciously views the world as a framed photo. It’s something we get used to, right? Also, in film photography, there are certain add-ons, like having limited shots and not being able to see the photos right away. It's a case of miss it once, miss it forever. There was a time when I was so meticulous about my shots that I stressed over it. In the end, I hesitated and missed several opportunities to shoot, and I regretted it afterward. Then, I had the chance to work with George-Tada Varich. That day, he used only a film camera, no digital at all. He shot each frame without hesitation but did not also press the shutter button mindlessly. There was confidence in every shot he took, a belief in every frame he chose. That day inspired me so much, and I changed my approach to photography completely. After several years of absorbing this new perspective, the song "Film" came to be.

Why do you choose to shoot film in the digital age?

Hmm, can I answer this in a cliché way? I think film has a life of its own. You can't control everything; even if you use an SLR camera and adjust everything manually, there are still elements beyond your control. I enjoy that I can't see that part, and you only face the result when you develop the film. But I've also experienced many rolls of film coming out completely blank! If I'm doing paid work, I need to carry at least two cameras, maybe a film one paired or a digital one as a backup. But if I'm shooting as a passion project, it’s exciting. It’s a good practice in learning to manage my feelings in different situations.

How was your experience trying 110 film for the first time with the Lomomatic 110 ?

It was fun! I really liked it. Loading the film was super easy. It’s lightweight too. I got to shoot cats, friends, weddings, concerts, landscapes, street scenes while walking, and selfies.

What kind of photography do you usually do? What subjects do you like to focus on?

I think my style is closest to street photography. I don't have specific subjects in mind. I just shoot whatever I can't resist at that moment, often cats. I follow the vibe of the song "Film." If I feel something about something, I’ll capture it. That’s it.

Do you have a favorite photo from those you took with the Lomomatic 110?

This one. I’ll start by saying that I really love the Metropolis film. I usually use the 35mm format. From all my experiences, I feel that Metropolis captures trees and nature beautifully. I had the opportunity to go to Khao Yai and saved this roll to shoot there. I wasn't disappointed.

Most of your photos focus on everyday life. Can you share with us any fun or memorable moments from shooting these photos?

The most fun were the first and last rolls because I was shooting with my close friends. The first roll was on the day that she brought her brother's wedding invitation cards to distribute, and the last roll was on the day of the wedding. It was awesome!

What do you think photography has given or changed in your life?

I think photography has allowed me to see the world in a different way. Some frames help me understand my feelings through the viewfinder. I’ve come to know myself better. It gives me time alone without distractions and not feeling lonely. I find this activity calming, allowing us to slow down a bit, rest our minds, and we also get a unique photograph that no one else in the world has! Photography is like a vacation for your mind, and the pictures you get are the souvenirs!

If you had to choose one of the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, which one resonates with you the most?

Rule number 3: “Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it.”

The photos I tend to love the most are the ones I didn’t plan in advance or overthink. Candid shots are the real events, real stories. I like to call them “stolen moments.” It’s like stealing a moment from our lives. Spontaneity is the key! The reason I press the shutter is that I feel something about that moment.

Lastly, do you have a message for the Lomography community?

Thank you everyone for following along and for reading this far! I’m thrilled and grateful to connect with you through photography. And can I share a bit of my song "Film"? Here’s a line: "If I feel something, I’ll capture it, from today onwards, I won’t be afraid." I wish everyone joy in photography!

Thank you Image-Suthita for sharing your photography inspiration with us! You can follow more of her work on Instagram , Facebook and YouTube.

written by aomschll on 2024-12-01 #gear #people #videos #110 #thailand #110-format #lomochrome-turquoise #lomochrome-metropolis #lomomatic-110