A LomoChrome Adventure with Olaf Djanuismadi

Olaf Djanuismadi is a Jakarta-based photographer with a passion for capturing authentic moments through portrait photography. He also enjoys exploring the dynamic energy of the streets, occasionally diving into candid street photography. Recently we sent him a selection of our LomoChrome film in both 35 mm and 120. Let's take a look at what he captured!

Hi, Olaf! It’s great to have you here at Lomography! Tell us about yourself. What do you do?

Hi, thanks for having me. I've been working in the retail fashion industry for more than 17 years now and I’m also a part-time professional photographer.

What are some of your interests?

Photography, fashion, music, art and wellness.

What made you start taking photos?

Back in the day, I think almost every family had a camera to preserve memories and photo albums, so I grew up with that culture. I still remember when I first borrowed a simple point-and-shoot film camera from my dad and mom when I was in high school and took it on a trip to Baduy village. But then my interest in taking pictures wasn’t big because I was interested in music more at that time, being in band, playing drums. I was so focused on that and even became a drum teacher in one of the music schools in Jakarta during my time at university. But I always had that never ending curiosity with photography. I had an interest in trying some of Lomography cameras and film, but it didn’t happen because I didn’t have the extra budget to buy any photographic equipment. Until one day I bought a digital camera for my wife and ended up taking her pictures during a trip. I began to have an interest again in photography and the journey began.

What's your favorite thing about analogue photography?

I guess it’s the process and the journey. I started my photography journey with digital. When I decided to shoot with analogue, everything was completely different because I was so used in looking at the live view on the camera screen. I also had to revisit my photography knowledge and skills such as exposure triangle, my manual focusing and so on. It was a stressful and joyful experience at the same time. It’s been almost eight years now since I started to shoot analogue, and the journey is still rewarding.

How do you describe your photography?

Candid and documentary, capturing authentic moments with natural lighting or available lights. I also love dramatic lighting and the cinematic aesthetic.

Are there any film photographers that you look up to?

A few of them are Saul Leiter, Fan Ho, Kotori Kawashima, Ryoji Akiyama, Jun Abe and Greg Girard.

What is it like to be a photographer in Jakarta?

It depends on your personal preference and style. It's definitely not the most aesthetic city in South East Asia or even in the country, but there’s always something to photograph if you really want to explore. My biggest complaint is that too much pollution really blocks the light.

What did you decide to shoot with the LomoChrome Purple 120 ISO 100–400 film ?

A portrait shoot. When I first heard about this film stock and read the reviews on the internet, I challenged myself to do a portrait shoot session with this film. I love the results.

What do you like most about the LomoChrome Metropolis 120 ISO 100–400 film?

The desaturated look and the contrast, especially when you shoot it in daylight. But I also found out that this film is suitable for night/low light photography, giving it a totally different look.

What do you think of the LomoChrome Color '92 35 mm ISO 400 film?

It’s a very grainy film with a unique retro look. It's also suitable for indoor shooting. I didn’t really have a chance to shoot in broad daylight in sunny conditions given the current weather, but I might give it a try again in the future.

And finally, what did you think of the LomoChrome Turquoise 35 mm ISO 100–400
?

Another unique film stock that shifts colors. Like LomoChrome Purple, I believe this film can shine if you really plan the shot.

What is one thing you have been dying to explore further? (anything from a place to a particular subject) What is your dream project?

Exploring Japan, and would like to explore Hong Kong further. India is still on my bucket list as well.

Tell us about some of the current projects you are working on, do you have any projects in particular you are looking forward to?

A mini solo exhibition. It's still an ongoing process and hopefully it can be completed and realized by the end of this year.

Any messages to other Lomographers out there?

Just keep shooting, learning, and exploring. Widen your horizons. Analogue photography is not getting any cheaper, but it continues to evolve through new technology and renewed interests in the tactile process. So, have faith that film will never die and enjoy the experience.

Thank you Olaf for sharing these amazing portraits and your experience with our LomoChrome films! To learn more about Olaf's work, you can visit his Instagram!

written by adi_totp on 2025-03-25 #gear #people #places #medium-format #120 #portrait #metropolis #lomochrome-purple #lomochrome-turquoise #apac #lomochrome-color-92 Share Article