I can’t lie: film costs money. I have been known to argue that going with film is cheaper because the cameras are generally less expensive (a medium format can give you results on par with a full frame digital, for half the price or less) and it is also nice to buy used. But film does cost more than digital space these days. On average (and maybe this is even on the low side), its $10 a roll. You have to buy the film, then get the film developed. Maybe you save some money if you scan the negatives yourself, but of course that requires the investment in the scanner! Phew! I can see why some people never get over the hump to try film out when digital makes it so easy!
The Holga camera is at least one way to cut the costs, as the camera itself is as cheap as $25! Don’t you dare buy it from Urban Outfitters, silly! Check Amazon or B&H Photo Video, etc. You will need some 120 film too (although 35mm can be used for some interesting results!), and not just the kind made for the Holga, any 120 will do. I picked one up when I “needed” a new camera, but really didn’t have the money for anything more. And it yields some very fun, unexpected, often exciting and creative results. For those of you who are into the effects that polaroid can give you, listen up! You may dig some of this Holga stuff, too! I’m very excited to try it all out. I just got back the first roll from my Holga, so I haven’t even fully experienced it yet, but here are a few of the interesting things I’ve seen:
1. Overlapping frames. It is like getting a double negative just on the outer edges of the image. There are a few different ways to do this. Some say just to not wind fully to the next frame in between shots. I’ve also read that you can control this by leaving in the inside plastic “frame” that sets the camera up for 12 square images, but set the arrow switch on the back of the camera to take 16, and they will overlap. You can even do panoramas like this.
lilies by triana t.
2. Unintended Double (and triple!) exposures
our dreams are luminous, a cast fire upon the world by after october.
3. Crazy light leaks (the above image also sums that one up quite nicely!)
surf by nessavay
4. You can even use 35mm film in it, and your image will be all over the negative, up to the very edges, over the film sprocket holes! A quick visit to the Holga pool on flickr will show you that one. I hope someone posts one of those to the Mortal Muses Film Friday pool soon.
These are all things I’ve seen people try to recreate in post-processing of digital images, but to me, look so much cooler when they are the real thing! Do you have a Holga? What can you teach me to try out on mine? Let me know in the comments! Thanks!
Happy shooting! ~Cara
Who would have thought there would be such awesome Holga images in the pool already! 🙂
I think I need to start shooting with my Diana again; the combination of a toy camera and 120 film is so appealing.
Just purchased a Holgaroid. I am so excited to try it. Hoping for some great shots like these.
the holga is so fun to experiment with! everyone should have one…it’s a little plastic piece of magic!
Thanks for this post Cara. It inspires me to get my diana out and shoot another roll. You are right, I was surprised how much it can cost, but the results are so worth it. Thanks for sharing these examples today.
I know there will be a Holga in my future. It is inevitable. Such an inspirational post. Thank you.
i have two holgas!!! the first was not quite right from the beginning — more light leaks than should be, even with pasting gaffer’s tape all over the darn thing. but i love it!!! it now hangs on my wall. the second was just fab and i used it all the time. i took it to st. martin this year (last year when i took it i got some of the best beach images i ever have shot) and every single image was out of focus — majorly so. i know i am not perfect but WOW!!! now it looks like number 3 is on the horizon. cause i loves my holga!!! they can take alot of abuse, but i guess i was just too careless. moral of the story: love the holga as much as the hassy!!!! it will produce the coolest shots!!!! thank you for this post my dear friend and for pointing out the great features of this dear little camera!!! xxxooo
These are fantastic. I think my hubby will freak his freak if I buy one more film camera… but they sure are cute!
So cool Cara. You’ve convinced me. I’m going to have to pick up a Holga. Such great images from the FF pool too!
i need to get one!!! now!!! thanks cara for all the tips and the push in the holga direction 🙂
cara, these are such great photos. thanks for the tips and the inspiration to try something new!
I just found a local retailer…visiting soon…it is getting even harder to find processing locations near me! These images are so great and inspiring…
mail your film out to dwaynes or photoworks in San Fran (if you are in the US!)
I only have a Diana but I’ve been itching for a Holga. Your post puts me over the top — NEED!
Holga it is this sounds like a good stepping stone into medium format. I welcome the idea of not having 50k images on the hard drive.
I have a Holga and have developed a few rolls from it. The light leaks in mine are INSANE. I love a good light leak, but this is extreme, so I’m working on finding the perfect taping system. I just put another roll through, this time with black & white. Hoping my tape job worked. I love the photos in this and want to try the overlapping frames.