Lomowalk Recap: Hop on a Bus and Capture Shanghai

From Wukang Road’s aged brick walls to the bustling streets beyond the bus window, from golden sunlight on white facades to the cold Bund breeze—each frame captures Shanghai in motion. Let’s revisit this special Lomowalk and read about some of the participant's experiences!

Fei Jing:

I used the Lomourette half-frame camera, which comes in a serene blue color with a delicate Monet Water Lilies design. As for the film, I believe it was the LomoChrome Color ‘92 Sun-kissed Edition in 135 format.

My friend Sanbao bet that I wouldn’t be able to finish all 72 frames before the event ended! Having more shots to spare actually made pressing the shutter feel even freer—just as the event motto encouraged: “Don’t think, just shoot.” Everything became a scene worth capturing.

Several shots turned out to be delightful surprises. If I had to choose my top three, they would be these:

For a film photography beginner, the biggest difference between film and digital is the lack of precise autofocus and instant previews. I love imagining how light gets etched onto the film the moment I press the shutter—it’s irreversible, unchangeable, forever imprinted. Whether the shot turns out perfect or flawed, film stays true to that fleeting moment, adding an element of mystery and surprise when I finally develop the photos.

If I were to compare, film photography is like journaling on paper, while digital feels more like typing on a screen. Film embraces imperfections, capturing raw emotions and nuances like an Impressionist painting. Looking back at these images transports me to the exact moment I pressed the shutter.

Sanbao reminded me that focusing with a film camera can be tricky, and sure enough, a few shots turned out blurry. When I sent them to a friend, their response was: “This feels like a nostalgic throwback to the early 2000s.” That dreamy, hazy aesthetic is part of what makes film so special—or at least, that’s how I justify my out-of-focus shots!

Yiwei:

I drew the Lomo LC-A+ paired with LomoChrome Metropolis film. What surprised me the most was how well Metropolis complemented the Shanghai winter. Its signature cyan-gray tones didn’t dull the images; instead, they enhanced the dry yet bright atmosphere of the day, perfectly reflecting how I felt while shooting.

I’d say I’m a typical digital-to-film convert. My go-to setup is a 135 film camera with Kodak Vision cine film—it provides great image quality and color at a reasonable price, plus it’s easy to develop. Recently, I also got a half-frame camera to lower both cost and mental pressure. The magic of turning 36 shots into 72 makes it perfect for documenting everyday moments.

With my half-frame camera, I treat it like a visual diary, capturing random snippets of life. When I carry my 35mm camera, I tend to switch into a more documentary street photography mindset—I pick a theme or setting and try to build a narrative around it.

I’m really curious about Lomo’s 120 medium format cameras and classic color negative films. I love the depth and resolution of 120 film, but at the same time, it’s usually associated with slow, deliberate compositions. I’m intrigued by how Lomo balances this ceremonial approach with its spontaneous shooting philosophy. It might open up unexpected new perspectives for street photography.

Yuting:

I’ve been shooting film for three years now—I’ve always loved its unique texture. I found out about this event through Lomo’s RED account, which I follow regularly for inspiration.

For me, walking with a camera is incredibly relaxing. It allows me to step away from daily stress and truly immerse myself in the rhythm of a city.

The Fisheye No.2 and LomoChrome Purple film gave me a fresh new perspective. The color shifts in my final shots were unexpected, but they turned out to be a fun discovery! This experience has inspired me to try even more cameras and film stocks, exploring film’s endless creative possibilities.

Lomography’s golden rule, “Don’t Think, Just Shoot” stands out to me. Because film is not cheap—and due to my own personality—I often hesitate before pressing the shutter, afraid of wasting a shot. But this rule made me realize that the best moments happen when you stop overthinking.

I’m so grateful that Lomo continues to design fun, creative film cameras and keeps producing unique film stocks. In this digital age, Lomo provides a warm, supportive space for people like me who love analog photography. I hope there will be more events like this in the future!

Just like the endless creativity of our Lomographers, Shanghai’s stories are never-ending. See you at the next Lomowalk—we can’t wait to capture more moments with you!

written by jluo on 2025-03-05 #gear #culture #news #china #lomowalk #half-frame #shanghai #lomo-lc-a #fisheye-no-2 #lomochrome-purple #lomochrome-metropolis #lomourette #event-recap #lomochrome-color-92-sun-kissed Share Article