LOMOGRAPHY: Don't think, just shoot!

Lomography emphasizes casual, snapshot photography. Characteristics such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure, blurring, "happy accidents," and alternative film processing are often considered part of the "Lomographic Technique."

Lomographers are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to their photography, and use these techniques to document everyday life, as the Lomo LC-A's small size, simple controls, and ability to shoot in low light encourages candid photography, photo reportage, and photo vérité through the much-touted "10 Rules."

via wikipedia

Lomography is a company conceived by a couple of students in the 1990s when they discovered a small black plastic Russian camera, the Lomo Kompakt Automat.

They started to take experimental snapshots of everyday life with it when they decided to bring the camera along with them everywhere they went.

The name Lomography is inspired by the former state-run optics manufacturer LOMO PLC of Saint Petersburg, Russia where the Lomo Kompakt Automat was produced.

While Lomography's marketing and sales activities still centers around the Lomo Kompakt Automat or LCA, they have since produced and marketed an entire line of film cameras specific to them.

These Lomographic cameras include but is not limited to the Pop 9, Fisheye, Colorsplash camera and SuperSampler camera.

Each camera tend to produce only one photographic effect. For example, the Pop 9 will repeat the image 9 times on the photograph because there are 9 lenses on the camera capturing the same image at the same time.

Photography is something that has always intrigued me since I was a little girl.

It feels almost like you're cheating time where even though the clock is ticking, you have managed to take away a snapshot of life and that moment is captured forever even if your memory starts to fade with time.

A photograph is like a testimony to one's life; a declaration that "I was here".

I did not want to get into the technicalities of professional photography because it was too much trouble and no matter how hard I work at it there will always be someone out there more competent.

Then I discovered Lomography and it was the best thing that ever happened.

I could now take spontaneous shots without worrying about little details and bad composition, out of focus shots and terrible lighting look like part of the deal.

Rule #1: Take your camera everywhere you go
Rule #2: Use it anytime - day and night.
Rule #3: Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it
Rule #4: Try the shot from the hip
Rule #5: Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as closely as possible.
Rule #6: Don't think (William Firebrace).
Rule #7: Be fast.
Rule #8: You don't have to know beforehand what you captured on film.
Rule #9: Afterwards, either.
Rule #10: Don't worry about any rules.

My first camera from Lomography was the Fisheye camera which cost USD50 not including shipping straight from their website at http://www.lomography.com/.

Lomography has since updated that camera with the Fisheye 2 which packs in features like a hot shoe which allows you to attach a flash and the option for multiple exposures and long exposures.

I gave it alot of thought before making the decision to purchase the Fisheye camera because I really wanted my first Lomography camera to make photographs that suited me and not to have the photographs turned out looking like that by accident.

I love how everything turns out looking wonky and distorted when you go really close up with the Fisheye and how you can fit everything into the frame (like how your shoes end up in the shot when you're really trying to take a picture of a bemused dog. surprise!).

The Fisheye sees everything from a different perspective - a fish's perspective actually - and that is what I am very fascinated by.

I can lie down on my back for hours on end just staring at the sky or the ceiling or the top of the building because the view is different so you can understand why I love the Fisheye to bits.

Look through the photographs taken by different Lomography cameras and pick the one that appeal to your senses the most.

If you're really undecided because everything looks so good, try to look through their microsites provided by Lomography so you arm yourself with a little more information to make the right decision.

Each microsite will be listed under 'Further information' when you click on the relevant camera in their shop http://shop.lomography.com/shop/.

For example, this http://shop.lomography.com/go/?where=shop&pro=clc would bring you the to Lomo LCA+ listing in their shop and this would be the link to the microsite http://shop.lomography.com/lca+ that you would find under the section 'Further information'.

Don't worry if they prompt you for your country when you try to open up the links given. Just select yours from the drop down toolbar because selected camera models may be available only to some countries.

If you are situated in Asia you have the option to purchase from Lomography Asia which is based in Hong Kong or just scroll down if you would like to purchase from their international website.

And with that, I wish you all the best in selecting your first (of many!) Lomographic camera!