http://www.lomography.com/about
"What the hell is Lomography?"
It was in the early 1990s when two students in Vienna, Austria, discovered a small enigmatic Russian camera, the Lomo Kompakt Automat, and started a new style of artistic experimental photography of unorthodox snapshots. In the blink of an eye the Lomographic message spread around the planet and people from North to South were screaming for Lomo LC-A’s. So they hopped on a plane, flew to St. Petersburg and negotiated a contract for the worldwide distribution of this fantastic little camera. Then everything happened quickly for Lomography. We set up the 10 golden rules as our guiding principals, held numerous exhibitions, world congresses, parties and events. Mounted groundbreaking collaborations and projects, installed lomography.com as our communication hub, developed new products, films and accessories all while opening up Lomography Gallery Stores in metropolises worldwide.
What started out spontaneously as an artistic approach to photography in the Vienna underground scene developed into Lomography becoming an international socio-cultural movement using photography as a creative approach to communicating, absorb and capturing the world. Today we are a globally active organization dedicated to experimental and creative visual expression, a playful combination of lo-tech and hi-tech and the amalgamation of a cultural institution with a commercial photographic and design company focussing entirely on the unique imagery, style and approach of analogue photography and its further development.
The 10 golden rules of Lomography
On this website we, an approximate Million of Lomographers worldwide, are creating the biggest ever-growing and ongoing snapshot portrait of the planet consisting of the wackiest, most exciting and most impossible little sights and moments of our time. Lomography is happening in the here and now, in the minds and shutters of Lomographers around the planet and in the analogue universe that, if anything, we are only starting to explore.
At the very base of this lie the 10 golden rules that define our philosophy and approach towards photography. Memorise them, recite them by heart, or break all the rules; whichever way, be ready to throw all your inhibitions about photography to the wind.
- Take your camera everywhere you go
- Use it any time – day and night
- Lomography is not an interference in your life, but part of it
- Try the shot from the hip
- Approach the objects of your lomographic desire as close as possible
- Don’t think (william firebrace)
- Be fast
- You don’t have to know beforehand what you captured on film
- Afterwards either
- Don’t worry about any rules
Lomography Products
Lomographic products are all characterized by the following traits: they are practical and sensual, they look good, they’re friendly, inexpensive, sexy, un-political, a tad intellectual (but not too high-brow) and distributed worldwide. Their sole purpose is to do nothing other than serve the daily, thousandfold desires of Lomographic creative expression!
Our product collection began with the incredible Lomo LC-A whose success let us keep the iron hot and striking with a steady stream of tasty and stimulating products. Our camera assortment has grown to include an assortment of offbeat optics that produce their own unique and incredible images: the medium format Diana+
and Lubitel 166+, the irresistible Diana Mini, our Instax products, devastating Colorsplash items, the stunning Fisheye camera, multi-lensed cameras such as the SuperSampler and Oktomat and last but not least, the Horizon panoramic cameras, provide a range of formats for intense Lomographic output. Alongside these creative tools you’ll find one of the most comprehensive offerings of film in the world and a full line of publications, bags, fashion and accessories; thereby rounding out an entire Lomographic lifestyle of irresistible items.
Lomo Lubitel 166+ The Lomographic Society International is thrilled to introduce the Lubitel 166+, a loving recreation of this Soviet-era classic.
Horizon Perfekt
Clad in space-age ABS plastic, the Perfekt's featured full aperture and shutter settings allow you to dial in the precise exposure. Be blown away by its distinctive OF-28P swing lens that sweeps across the earth with full 120 degrees of vision!Take one good look at a Lomograph and you’ll see that it holds a charm all of its own. Somehow everything is amplified and ordinary objects stand out, enhancing details that would normally go unnoticed. How can this be? We’ve narrowed it down to an ever-changing formula of certain variables like… shadowy vignetting that mysteriously frames the shot, light leaks, grain you could chip a tooth on, the magic of a great lens, deep saturation, just the right amount of contrast... to name but a few. A combination these factors and a healthy touch of the unexpected go into making each Lomograph unique. Essentially, Lomography embraces the element of surprise that only analogue film photography can bring and wholeheartedly celebrates the outcome.
LomoWalls
A LomoWall is created from a flood of authentic, colourful and awe-inspiring analogue snapshots, also known as Lomographs. Part exhibition, part experience, a LomoWall is the sum total of thousands of Lomograhs taken by Lomographers from every corner of the globe. So far we’ve built LomoWalls in many a far-flung place, for example, the Photokina in Cologne; Trafalgar Square, London; Beijing, MOMA in New York.
It’s all about the Photos! For this very reason, we’ve created a website that is fully equipped with loads of exciting features for easy sharing and uploading. Browse through the Photos archive for your daily dose of Lomographic eye-candy, or better yet, hop on to the Lab to upload and organise your own photos ready to show off in your personal LomoHome! Need to know more about analogue photography? The Magazine’s got news, articles, tips, reviews, and competitions to keep you updated and inspired!
By now you probably have some kind of idea about what Lomography is. You know that it has something to do with cameras, analogue photography and a bunch of mind blowing, too good to be true, photos of the world. Correct? Well then, you are probably wondering how on Earth this establishment of creativity ever got started? Like most great stories, it began in a land far, far away…
1982
Birth of the LOMO LC-A - the camera that started it all!
General Igor Petrowitsch Kornitzky, right-hand man to the USSR Minister of Defense and Industry, slammed a little Japanese compact camera onto the desk of his comrade Michail Panfilowitsch Panfiloff, the Director of the powerful LOMO Russian Arms and Optical factory. Panfiloff carefully examined the item, observing its sharp glass lens, extremely high light sensitivity and robust casing. Realizing its potential, the two gentlemen gave orders to the LOMO PLC factory in St. Petersburg, Russia to create an improved version of the Cosina CX-1 – and the first working sample of the LOMO LC-A was born!
1984
Launch of the LC-A
The LOMO LC-A began mass-production this year, with 1200 people working on the camera. Starting at 1100 units per month for the Russian market, its popularity soon spread to then –Communist countries such as Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Cuba.
1991
Discovery!
While touring Prague, a group of Viennese students stumbled upon the LOMO LC-A in a quirky, old-school camera shop, and started shooting from the hip. Upon returning to Vienna, they had their film rolls developed, resulting in strangely beautiful images. Soon the questions started coming from friends, family and strangers, they wanted their own LC-A cameras!
1992-1993
The birth of the Lomographic Society International
Astounded by the strangely beautiful photographs that the LOMO LC-A could create, the demand for this Russian gem quickly rose, which led to the formation of the Lomographic Society International (LSI). Along with the 10 Golden Rules, the non-profit movement aimed to spread the message of Lomography throughout the world by hosting exhibitions, parties, tours, and workshops.
1994
Lomo goes online, NYC vs Moscow exhibition, first embassy in Berlin
Lomo invades the world wide web at this time (www.lomo.com). It was also this year when the very first Lomographic exhibition was simultaneously held in New York City and Moscow, with massive LomoWalls gracing each city, showcasing colourful Lomographs from the other; months later, the first Lomo Embassy was established in Berlin.
1996
Provide for the future
With the LC-A’s popularity rise comes the biggest challenge – the Russian manufacturers decided to stop its production. Our “Wieners” bravely scooted to the LOMO Optics factory in Russia and successfully convinced the factory honchos and then-Vice Mayor Mr. Vladimir Putin to continue with the LC-A production!
1997
First World Congress in Madrid
Relaunching lomo.com as lomography.com, the new website introduces a product shop, community interaction, special projects, activities and services, plus the WorldArchive – displaying a collection of amazing Lomographs from different places. The first Lomographic World Congress in Madrid boasted a LomoWall of over 120 metres - consisting of over 35,000 Lomographs!
1998
Photokina
The Lomographic Society International launches the 4-lensed Actionsampler at the Photokina – the largest photography convention in the world. The strange-looking plastic camera takes four sequential images in one 35mm Lomograph and was an instant hit!
2000
First in-house camera, the Supersampler, community functions launched
Designed, manufactured, and patented by Lomography, the Supersampler emerges as the “Queen of all Multi-lens Cameras” – taking four panoramic panels of sequential images in one photograph. At lomography.com, new community functions were launched, one of which was the LomoHomes – a space for users to store all their photos and make their own LomoWalls, at the time, probably the most modern web site where you could host photos!
2001
First Lomography shop in Vienna
The very first Lomography shop in the world graced the Kunsthalle (Contemporary Art Hall) in the Vienna MuseumsQuartier in the summer of this year, featuring walls decked with Lomographs (LomoWalls), a wide range of innovative products from all over the world and the full line of Lomographic items. It also hosted workshops and other activities that cater to Lomography.
2003
First Sidekick TPE bag - Lomography fashion makes its entrance.
In addition to photographic products, Lomography introduces the first Sidekick TPE bag – designed to hold cameras, films, and even a small laptop. This jumpstarts the Lomography line of fashion items – t-shirts, bags, camera bags, and accessories have since been added to the fashion segment.
2004
World Congress in China, biggest ever LomoWall!
The biggest LomoWall to date was installed during the World Congress in China. For one whole week, Beijing was bursting with shiny Lomographs and exciting activities!
2005
The Fisheye camera
Lomography introduces a breakthrough in photography with the world’s first compact Fisheye camera – the Fisheye. Yielding nearly 180-degrees of circular Fisheye distortion in a 35mm photograph, it offered the easiest and most convenient way to try Fisheye!
2006
LC-A+
Lomography introduces the LC-A+ - a faithful reproduction of the Russian LC-A camera. Manufactured in China with an option to get the lens from Russia, it offered the same endearing qualities as the original – sharp contrast, deep saturation, and the trademark vignetting - while adding more exciting features such as a multiple-exposure switch and the option to use exclusively-for-LC-A+ accessories!
2007
Diana+, Hong Kong, Seoul and Paris Gallery Store openings, White Stripes collaboration and World Congress, London.
A faithful reproduction of the’60s medium-format classic Diana camera was introduced by the LSI – the Diana+, enhanced with features to promote more creative options. The year 2007 also saw the opening of Lomography Gallery Stores in Hong Kong, Paris, and Seoul, the World Congress in London, and Lomography’s collaboration with the White Stripes for the limited edition “Jack” Holga and “Meg” Diana+ cameras.
2008
Lubitel+ launch, “The Future is Analogue” exhibition at the Photokina, Cologne, Redscale film, Lomo X-Pro film & the LC-A Big Book.
Lomography strikes again with another exciting reproduction, the Lubitel+, our pimped-up version of the twin-lensed classic Lubitel camera. The year 2008 was a busy one as Lomography proudly declared that “The Future is Analogue” at the Photokina convention in Cologne, Germany, with a massive LomoWall covering both the walls and the floor – making it THE attraction to see. A survey was conducted prior to the event, evaluating the future of Lomography based on thoughts and opinions by the community, and gathering ideas and preferences, digital vs analogue-style. The massive LC-A book, which documented the entire story of the LC-A, accompanied by a compilation of the best Lomographs from around the world, was also launched at the convention. Two photographic techniques – cross processing and redscaling – were made easier to create with the introduction of the first Lomography films - the Lomography X-Pro film, and the Lomography Redscale film.
2009
New site launch , NYC Gallery Store, Diana Instant Back+, Colette, the year so far
The lomography.com website was given a complete relaunch, with a fresh new look and more sections for community interaction, contests, articles, and other crucial info related to Lomography and analogue photography – closing the gap between digital and analogue. This year also saw the opening of the Lomography shop in New York City! The Diana+ also reigned supreme with the unique collaboration between Lomography and Paris-based boutique colette for the "Dianalogues: Through A Woman’s Lens" Book & special edition camera. Plus the Diana Instant Back+ was launched, an accessory that turns the Diana+ camera into an instant camera!
Lomography is the commercial trademark of Lomographische AG, Austria for products and services related to photography. The name is inspired by the former state-run optics manufacturer LOMO PLC of Saint Petersburg, Russia. LOMO PLC created and produced the 35 mm LOMO LC-A Compact Automat camera — which became the centerpiece of Lomography's marketing and sales activities. This camera was loosely based upon the Cosina CX-1 and introduced in the early 1980s.
In 1991, the Austrian founders of Lomography discovered the Lomo LC-A. As the company states, they were "charmed by the unique, colorful, and sometimes blurry" images that the camera produced. After a series of international art exhibitions and aggressive marketing work, Lomography signed an exclusive distribution agreement with LOMO PLC — thereby becoming the sole distributor of all Lomo LC-A cameras outside of the Soviet Union.
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." Users 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 Golden Rules."
Since the introduction of the original Lomo LC-A, Lomography has produced and marketed an entire line of their own branded analog cameras. Most Lomographic cameras are designed to produce a single photographic effect. For example, the Lomography Fisheye camera features a built-in wideangle lens, and shoots fisheye-distorted photos. In 2005, production of the original Lomo LC-A was discontinued. Its replacement, the LC-A+, was introduced in Fall 2006. The new camera, made in China rather than Russia, featured the original Russian lens manufactured by LOMO PLC. This changed as of mid-2007 with the lens now made in China as well.
Similar to Eastman Kodak's concept of the "Kodak moment," the Lomography motto of "don't think, just shoot" presumes spontaneity, close-ups, and ubiquity, while deemphasizing formal technique. Typical lomography cameras are deliberately low-fidelity and inexpensively constructed. Some cameras make use of multiple lenses and rainbow-colored flashes, or exhibit extreme optical distortions and even light leaks.
Current models marketed by Lomographische AG include Lomo LC-A, Diana, Holga, Holga 35mm, Actionsampler, Frogeye, Pop-9, Oktomat, Fisheye, Fisheye2, Colorsplash, Colorsplash Flash, F-stop Bang, SuperSampler, Horizon 202, Seagull TLR, and Smena 8M. The company also resells dead stock Polaroid cameras and Russian dead stock - the sort normally acquired at "quirky, old-school camera shops," as the company's web site puts it.
The Lomo LC-A lens effect can be digitally emulated with photo-editing software such as GIMP or Photoshop. In addition, the company's promotional web site for Lomography showcases many high-contrast photographs - with unusual saturation and color - that were created using the technique called cross processing in which film intended for developing in slide chemistry (E-6) is processed in photographic negative chemistry (C-41), and vice versa. This technique can be employed with any film camera and can be somewhat mimicked with digital software as well.
What is great about the old analogue style is that digital media - such as my Iphone now has apps to celebrate the old style of photography... which i sadly downloaded and took some photos of inanimate objects in a similar style and had a play around:
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