Back to Basics with Film Photographer Matthijs and the LomoGraflok

Matthijs is an enthusiastic film photography lover who works at our partner store, Foto Sipkes in Groningen, The Netherlands. But his passion for cameras doesn’t stop when he leaves his job. Fascinated by the Lomograflok, he brought one into his analogue photography workshop to let participants explore its potential. He’s here to share his experiences and those of the participants who joined him in going back to the basics, together with some food shots taken by himself.

The following words are written by Matthijs

Hello, my name is Matthijs Houthuijs. I’m a freelance food photographer, working at Foto Sipkes, and an analogue photography enthusiast. For my food photography, I almost exclusively use digital cameras, but to relax and experiment, I enjoy working with different analogue processes.

For a long time, I mainly focused on 35mm and medium format for my analogue photography. However, like many analogue enthusiasts, a few years ago I became increasingly interested in the much larger 4x5 negative. I decided to buy an Intrepid 4x5, mainly for capturing black-and-white landscapes - something quite different from my digital food photography, but purely for relaxation and enjoyment.

A 4x5 camera isn’t something you just throw into a bag to snap some quick shots. Because of this, I only packed my 4x5 when I really intended to take my time with photography. I carried it up mountains in the Alps and along the coast of Croatia. Sometimes, I didn’t even take it out of the bag because I didn’t think the scene was worth capturing. A typical 4x5 black-and-white film is much more expensive than a roll of 35mm, so I was very selective with my shots. Because of these high costs, I never considered shooting 4x5 color film.

Some time ago, I noticed that Lomography had designed the LomoGraflok back, which immediately caught my attention due to its use of instant film, the print size, the choice of color, and the price per shot. When I saw this product on the website, I still had a few questions, and Lomography offered me the chance to test it out!

As the name suggests, the LomoGraflok uses the Graflok connection. It’s a simple system, where the accessories are clamped onto the camera. Since the Fujifilm Instax Wide film is slightly smaller than traditional 4x5 film, the package includes a special mask. This mask is placed between the camera and the ground glass, and it clearly indicates the correct orientation. The mask also compensates for the thickness of the back, allowing easy focus to infinity.

Workshop

Working at a beautiful, artisan photo store, I often meet many photographers and regularly get asked to train them or photography enthusiasts on different topics. The PixelSquad, a photography club in the North of The Netherlands, asked me if I’d be interested in giving a two-day masterclass for digital photographers on analogue photography. We scheduled the dates, and I prepared to introduce a group of ten people to the fascinating world of analogue photography.

On the first day, I had a group of ten people in front of me, most of whom only shot digitally and were very curious about film. Right from the start, I encouraged them to embrace the imperfections of film. Film is much more about feeling and far less about achieving the “technically perfect shot.”

After a short lecture on the different types of film, film formats, and the differences between digital and analogue photography, the students were ready for a city walk through downtown Groningen with an Agfa Clack. This camera from 1954 has such minimal technology that it’s purely about looking and composing. We reviewed the images, and everyone was impressed by the beautiful results a simple, 70-year-old camera could produce.

After discussing the images, it was time for portrait sessions with the 4x5 camera. We turned off the regular lights, switched on the studio lamps, and gathered around the ground glass of the camera. The room grew quieter and quieter.

There was a person, upside down, projected on a piece of glass - no electronics involved. I explained that it doesn’t get more pure than a piece of glass, a bellows, and a lens. How amazing is it that, in the age of phones, screens, and 4k we all become silent in front of a projection on a ground glass?

For many, the technical steps were a bit challenging - left is right, top is bottom - but once the first image came out of the LomoGraflok, the group fell silent again. “Such beautiful colors and softness,” was, in my view, the best summary.

We spent the evening photographing everyone, and it was an unforgettable experience for all.

My final advice: Keep experimenting and enjoying. Welcome to the world of imperfection, welcome to the world of film.

Thank you Matthijs for sharing this inspiring workshop day with us!

Make sure to check out Matthijs his work on his website and Instagram. Excited to go back to the basics yourself? Find the LomoGraflok here.

written by lomocato on 2025-02-22 #gear #people #workshop #large-format #instant-photography #instant-back #lomograflok Share Article