Jakarta to Solo: Adestya Subiakta’s Adventures with Lomography 35 mm Films

Adestya Subiakta, or simply Adest as most people call him, is a legal counsel based in Jakarta, Indonesia. In his free time, he turns to photography, working as a freelancer with a focus on weddings, portraits, and events. We handed him two Lomography 35 mm films, Earl Grey B&W ISO 100 and Lomography Redscale XR ISO 50–200, and he brought them to life in his own way! Read on to see his eclectic shots from journeys between Jakarta and his hometown, Solo.

Hi, Adest! It’s great to have you here at Lomography! Tell us about yourself. What do you do? What are some of your interests?

Hi! Thanks for having me here. My name’s Adest, and I was born in Solo, Indonesia. I work as a legal counsel in Jakarta, but on the side I also do some wedding, portrait, and event photography. I enjoy reading, sports, and of course, photography. Right now, I’ve got more than a dozen analogue cameras in my collection.

What made you start taking photos?

The camera is one invention I truly adore. Honestly, I can’t imagine my life without it. I love documenting my life through photos, whether it’s with a dedicated camera or just my phone. Sometimes the photos you take might not feel very meaningful in the moment, but I believe that in the future we’ll value them much more than we do now.

What's your favorite thing about analogue photography?

What I really love about analogue photography is how it makes me slow down and pay attention. With digital, it’s so easy to take hundreds of shots without thinking too much, but with film, every frame counts. I only get 36 shots on a roll, so I naturally become more intentional. I think about the light, the composition, and the moment before pressing the shutter. And funnily enough, even though I take fewer photos, I usually end up with more that I’m proud of, compared to digital.

Another thing I enjoy is the character of the film itself. Each stock has its own personality, some are warm and nostalgic, others are sharp and moody. Choosing which film to load feels almost like setting the mood for the day. Plus, there’s always this element of surprise, because you don’t see the results right away. When the photos finally come back, it feels like opening a time capsule.

For me, analogue photography isn’t just about the images, it’s about the whole process. It teaches me patience, makes me appreciate the present moment, and gives me photos that feel more meaningful in the long run.

What it’s like to be Adest these days? How do you spend your week?

On weekdays, I’m usually tied up with my job as a legal counsel, drafting contracts, dealing with corporate actions, licenses, and all that serious stuff. Sometimes it even stretches late into the evening. But once the weekend comes, it’s a whole different story. That’s when I get to recharge by going out with my analogue cameras. It’s my way of escaping the office routine and enjoying the slower, more creative side of life.

Can you tell us about what you decided to shoot with the Lomography Earl Grey ?

When I think of shooting with Earl Grey, I imagine capturing emotion, contrast, texture, and shape. That’s why I decided to split my shots between Solo and Jakarta. In Solo, there are so many traditional elements that make great subjects, while in Jakarta you get a completely different vibe - cityscapes, busy streets, and people always on the move.

Do you have a memorable photo taken with this film?

This photo was taken in Solo, when I visited the Ngarsopuro night market. There was this guy carrying several animals, and one of them was a baby crocodile. What caught my interest was how casually he just had it resting on his shoulder, without any hesitation at all. It was an unexpected moment.

What feature do you like most about the Lomography Earl Grey film ?

What really stands out to me is its character as a low ISO film. The grain is very fine and soft, which gives the images a clean look, and the medium contrast strikes a nice balance, not too harsh, not too flat. That mix makes photos look sharper and more defined, but still keeps that classic, organic film aesthetic. It’s versatile too, whether for portraits, street shots, or even details and textures.

And how about the Lomography Redscale XR 35 mm ISO 50–200 ? Is it your first time using this film?

Wow, it honestly shocked me. Shooting with it feels like stepping into another world. Yes, this was my first time trying redscale film, and I really loved how the photos turned out. The colors are so unique and give everything a completely different mood.

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

I’ve always wanted to travel around Japan with my loved one, starting from the south and going all the way north while bringing along my analogue cameras to capture the whole journey. My dream project would be to put together an exhibition of my best analogue photos. Just being able to share those moments with others in a physical space would mean a lot to me.

Any messages to Lomographers out there?

Never stop learning and experimenting. Honestly, when Lomography first reached out to me and offered me the chance to shoot with black-and-white and redscale film, I was nervous. Black-and-white isn't something I usually shoot, and I had never tried redscale before. But I saw it as a good opportunity to step out of my comfort zone. And I’m glad I did. It gave me a whole new perspective on both black-and-white and redscale photography.

Many thanks to Adest for sharing his street and documentary-style photographs, and for walking us through his experience with Earl Grey B&W 35 mm ISO 100 and Lomography Redscale XR 35 mm! You can find more of his work on Instagram and on his photography-dedicated account here.

written by adi_totp on 2025-10-18 #people #places #redscale #indonesia #jakarta #b-w #solo #apac #adestya Share Article