Reveling in the Tiny Moments: Photography by Community Member Sara (@deadbuggy)

Film shutterbug and community member Sara (@deadbuggy) has an eye for detail. In her photos, elements intermingle with an emphasis on composition. The light, colors, and shapes appear in an interesting arrangement to serve her purpose: revealing the beauty in the mundane.

In this interview, we asked Sara a few questions about her work, capturing and being in the 'now' as a photographer, point-and-shoot cameras, and more.

Hi, Sara! Welcome to the magazine. Can you introduce yourself? When did you start shooting film and what do you love about film photography?

I’m Sara and I live in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I started shooting film cameras in 2009 with my first Holga. I also got a hand-me-down point & shoot camera from my uncle around that time and fell in love with using film cameras. They can be boxy, clunky and loud and I’m here for all of it! Photos on film just have a more nostalgic quality that I adore.

What do you like taking photos of?

I am drawn to the mundane. Colors, shapes, repeating patterns, textures capture my attention first and foremost—simple compositions with no meaning other than just an interesting arrangement of lines and colors.

Do you think these preferences reflect your personality and how you view the world?

Absolutely! I tend to revel in tiny moments and try to experience the ‘now’ as often as I can. Photography is an extension of that mindful intent for me. What’s interesting or beautiful about this banal scene? We see this stuff every day but we never really seem to look at it.

Do you have a favorite photo among those you've taken? Is there a story behind it?

The Coca-Cola photo is a particular favorite because it was the first time I felt my intent was fully realized. It was taken on a Thanksgiving Day morning, Lomography Color Negative 800 film in a Canon point & shoot camera. The natural light, colors of the building, visual depth through the window, the red of the machine and the bifurcated framing of the window and wall.

It’s a nothing-burger scene but the elements combined in just the perfect aesthetic way for me.

You've tried a few Lomography film stocks and cameras, such as the Lomography Color Negative 800, LomoChrome Color '92, LomoChrome Turquoise, LC-A+, and more. What do you like about these cameras and film stocks?

They are all fun to play with! I’ve had a couple of Diana cameras, a Sprocket Rocket, ActionSampler, LC-A+ and LC-A Wide. They all have their own quirks and temperaments that give photos such a unique look. The films create a vibe that is out of the ordinary and gives me a creative boost when I’m in a rut.

Regarding gear, what are your favorite cameras and film stocks to shoot with?

I’ve always got a Canon Autoboy F in the car loaded with film. I bought a Pentax 17 half-frame camera this summer and have been shooting that a lot. I’ve just added a new LC-A+ to the herd and have been pairing it with Lomography films like Color Negative 100, Color Negative 400 and LomoChrome Color ’92 Sun-Kissed. The Lomography Color Negative 400 120 film is a perfect match with my Holgas. And running LomoChrome Turquoise through the Sprocket Rocket was a total treat.

Do you have any advice for newer film shutterbugs who are interested in getting better at shooting film?

I’m a big fan of point & shoot film cameras from the 1990s with automatic exposure, focusing, winding. The LC-A+ is a terrific camera, although there’s a learning curve with the zone focusing. Lomography Color Negative 800 color film is a great film stock that works in almost all lighting conditions.

Walk around and take photos of whatever catches your eye. Have fun and never, ever apologize for a photo!

What's your dream film photography project?

My dream project is that Lomography brings back the X-Pro 200 slide film! Oh, how I loved that film in my LC-A+ years ago.

I have a photo album on my page dedicated to bollards; I’d love to find another subject like that...mundane, ubiquitous, and whimsical, and use the Lomography camera/film to capture it in all its banal glory.

Thanks so much for having me and thank you for all that Lomography does for the film community.

We'd like to thank Sara for sharing her images and stories with us! To keep in touch, visit her LomoHome.

written by sylvann on 2024-12-16 #gear #people #places #community #composition #lomography-color-negative-800 #deadbuggy #loc-a