Go Yojin Explores the Magic of 110 Film with the Lomomatic 110 Camera

Pianist and photographer Go Yojin shares her experience shooting with the Lomomatic 110 camera. She vividly showcases the unique features of the Lomomatic 110 and the special charm and sentiment of the 110 format.

Hello, welcome to our online magazine! Please introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello, I’m Go Yojin, a pianist and photographer. I majored in music in college and wanted to add more dimensions to the things I love to do, so I’ve been focusing on photography, something I’ve always been interested in. For a long time, I carried around a point-and-shoot camera and mostly took pictures of friends, but I’ve been taking photography more seriously for about two years now.

What led you to step into the world of film photography?

At first, there wasn’t a big reason—I simply admired and liked the results of film photography, like its faded colors and textures. I tried various methods found online to replicate the film look in digital photos, such as adding filters and grain. However, there was a clear difference compared to photos actually shot on film, so I eventually purchased a film camera. The more I looked at the works of photographers I admire, the more I felt compelled to dive into the world of film photography.

What do you like about the Lomomatic 110 ?

Among the many advantages of the Lomomatic 110, the one I like the most is its compact and lightweight design. In an era where smartphones make carrying, shooting, storing, and sharing files so easy, having a camera that is light and convenient is a significant factor. In this sense, I would personally give this camera very high marks.

What makes the 110 format special?

When I received the original film back from the lab after scanning, I noticed how small it was compared to 35 mm film. To draw a digital analogy, it felt like comparing a full-frame sensor to a 1-inch sensor. I was amazed at how such a small film could produce such results. The idea that being small doesn’t mean inferior is as true, I think that’s precisely why a special camera like the Lomomatic 110 could come to exist.

I also really love the perforations on 110 film. They amplify the unique charm of film, making me want to capture precious personal moments in the 110 format, even if the scenery isn’t particularly stunning. It’s been over two weeks since I finished shooting, and I often find myself thinking about moments I wish I had captured in the 110 format.

Can you share your favorite scene from the films you used?

First, there’s a shot taken with the Color Tiger film at Dadaepo Beach, showing the back of an elderly person. As the sun approached the horizon, the dazzling sunlight spread across the scene, reflecting off the mudflats and creating a blindingly beautiful view. Just as I raised the camera to capture this stunning landscape, the elderly person walked into the frame, becoming the protagonist of the moment.

Watching this person absorbed in their own photography, I couldn’t help but think that the main character of my life is always 'me,' regardless of age. I took the photo with a heart full of encouragement. I also thought to myself, ‘Someday, if my passion for photography remains even slightly similar to what it is now, perhaps I’ll look just like that.

The second one was much harder to choose from the shots taken with the B&W Orca film, but I’ll go with a photo taken with a model inside a train. Since the train wasn’t shaking excessively, I thought it would be fine as long as I took the shot carefully. However, contrary to my expectations, the result was quite blurry.

That day, during a break from shooting, we had a brief conversation about the constant moments of instability one faces while living as an artist. This photo felt like it visually represented that conversation. At first, I was a bit disappointed that the result was different from what I intended, but after a moment, it felt special. It seemed to capture 'our current state as it is,' raw and unfiltered.

It even feels like I’ve grown a bit fond of it. After all, the meaning of a photo is often what we choose to give it.

What do you think about the future of 110 film?

In today’s world, where smartphone photography dominates, the question of the future of film photography—especially 110 film, which occupies a relatively small niche—seems like a tough one. However, considering how the concept of 'vintage' never seems to fade, perhaps it’s not such a difficult question after all.

From camera companies to individual artists, there’s continuous research and interest in achieving the 'film look,' which leads me to believe that the unique charm of 110 film is still strong. However, I think it’s essential for more people to learn about 110 film—especially those who may not see photography as a skill or hobby but are part of the general public. For instance, this was my first time learning about the 110 format, so I believe it needs to reach more people, just as 35mm film has.

How would you describe the Lomomatic 110 in three words?

Beautiful, powerful, lightweight!

Do you have any shooting tips for others using the Lomomatic 110?

Most people, when they first get a camera, tend to obsess over the focus of shots. As you keep taking similar photos using the same method, the next step naturally begins to reveal itself, and there will come a time when your previous style of shooting proves helpful. As you gradually expand your range to include more diverse types of photography, you’ll realize just how much joy this lightweight camera can bring.

The Lomomatic 110 is a camera that has been thoughtfully designed to allow users to create the images they desire. Features such as the double exposure function, the ability to switch film mid-roll, and the option to choose between day/night aperture settings with corresponding flash adjustments exemplify this. This is why I previously referred to it as a 'powerful camera,' but it also means there are quite a few considerations for the user.

I, too, was more accustomed to digital cameras, so while trying to estimate the focus distance and concentrate on getting the focus right, I missed out on many other aspects.
To get the hang of it, I suggest deciding beforehand whether you’re shooting landscapes or portraits, and then limiting yourself to a single exposure condition (e.g., a sunny afternoon or a dark evening). Gradually, you’ll start to get a feel for it.

‘There are mistakes forgiven because it’s film’ is something we often joke about among photographers. These little coincidences sometimes lead to interesting results. In the end, a shooting tip could simply be, ‘Aim to enjoy the process!’

Any final words you’d like to share?

We’re living in an era where long-form content is being pushed aside. Film photography, in terms of its process, can be considered quite a long-form endeavor. Film prices have risen significantly, and sometimes it’s not easy to find the film you want, but strangely enough, the demand for film doesn’t seem to decrease. This is evidenced by the variety of film cameras released this year in different formats. Among them, the Lomomatic 110, with its unique and charming format, seems to offer us just the right pace. While it fits snugly into my bag’s side pocket like those old point-and-shoot cameras, its shooting experience is as authentic as any other film camera.

In today’s world, where most photos are consumed on mobile devices, proving that a small film and a compact camera can deliver substantial results is meaningful. During this shoot, I imagined other Lomomatic models with different focal lengths, which got me excited. I wondered if this was something Lomography might already be considering. I truly look forward to seeing more variations of the Lomomatic in the future! Thank you for allowing me to revisit the joy of shooting."

Thank you to Go Yojin for sharing the charm and emotion of the Lomomatic 110 and the 110 format. If you’d like to see more of her work, visit her Instagram account. You can also check out the various designs of the Lomomatic 110 series now available in our online store!"

written by hey_springtime on 2025-02-24 #gear #people #110 #110-format #color-tiger #lomomatic-110 #b-w-orca Share Article