We are really excited to announce our first Photo Contest, ‘Hit Us With Your Best Shot’. After spending some time looking at the various options for hosting a Photo Contest we settled on using Facebook as the platform. While we know that not everyone has an account or wants to set one up on Facebook it is without a doubt the biggest social platform out there and so was an obvious choice for its ability to reach as many photographers as possible. Aside from reach we found quite a few choices for adding contests on this social platform which allowed for easy entry and voting.

Anyway, enough of the background and on to the details! For this first Photo Contest we’re going to make it really easy for anyone with a Holga to enter. Your photo has to have been taken with either a Holga film camera, a Digital Holga lens or a Holga Filter Kit for iPhone. As for the subject of your image it can be whatever you choose but just make sure it really is your ‘Best Shot’!

Prizes

1. One Grand Prize to be awarded to the Best of the Best: Holga 135 Panoramic Deluxe Kit. This is the very latest Holga to be launched (Q1 2012) and is already gaining a cult following. We’ll be covering the camera in detail in a review shortly but suffice to say that it’s a 35mm format Panoramic Camera. This Deluxe Kit includes a shutter release, a mini-tripod as well as a roll of film to get you shooting straight away.
2. Two Second Prizes to be awarded to the 2nd and 3rd place images: Holga 135 TIM Kit. One of the most novel Holga cameras in the range is the Holga 135 TIM (Twin Image Maker). With one of these cameras you can try your hand at 3D photography, split image scenes or a number of other creative techniques. The Kit in this prize includes a 3-D viewer, 3-D mounts and a flash.
3. Three Third Prizes to be awarded to 4th, 5th and 6th place images: Digital Holga Ultimate Kits. One of our most popular kits for the Digital crowd that wants to experiment with the Lo-Fi Holga look. This Kit includes a base Holga lens for a mount of the winners choice, a Wide Angle lens, a Telephoto lens, a Close up lens set and a Macro lens set. Enough lenses to really give you the ultimate flexibility and creativity.

And just in case you already have one or more of the above prizes we’re allowing any prize winner to exchange their prize for any other product from the HolgaDirect online store (up to the same value)!

Contest Instructions

1. ‘LIKE’ the ‘HolgaDirect’ fan page.
2. Choose your best Holga image taken with a Holga camera, Holga Digital lens or Holga filter kit for iPhone and upload it to facebook.
3. Make sure your Holga image is tagged with yourself and ‘HolgaDirect’.
4. Upload your favourite Holga image through the ‘Enter Now’ link above.

Contest Schedule

• PHASE ONE: Submit Your Entry : Feb 3 – Mar 1
• PHASE TWO: Public Vote : Mar 2 – Mar 8
• PHASE THREE: Judging : Mar 9 – Mar 11
• PHASE FOUR: Judges Announce Winners : Mar 12

So don’t delay and get your entry uploaded now or take a look at the great entries so far. Good Luck!

The HolgaDirect Team

Name: Gunnar Larson

Location: New York, New York

Website:Gunnar Larson Home & Gunnar Larson on Tumblr

Holga Cameras used: I have two Holga 120N. One is in white and the other is black with a Polaroid back.

Photographers you admire: Eugene Atget, Julia Margaret Cameron, Gregory Crewdson, Autumn De Wilde, Frederike Helwig, Koto Bolofo

1. How would you describe your photographic style?

Gunnar Larson

I like to think that my photographic style is like having a dance party with Native American Chief, Spotted Elk and spiritual visionary, Hildegard of Bingen in the middle of a vast open prairie under the Milky Way filled sky while being DJ-ed by Deadmau5. My parents would be there making campfire coffee.

In living and traveling abroad I’ve realized that we live in a small world and so my people, places, contacts and ideas merge in very unique ways. I like to merge or marry space and time by allowing for the natural overlap, almost capturing a world that is located in the in-between. The past bleeds into the future and I think that each frame/shot in my camera should relate to the next. Everything is connected.

2. What inspires you in your work?

Gunnar Larson

The love of fashion, history, antiques, obscure oddities and traveling. The native prairie, in which I grew up in, and the beat of NYC always inspires me. I love to pull inspiration from old paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries and films by Wes Anderson, Federico Fellini and Jim Jarmusch.

3. Where is or would be your dream photography location/shoot?

Gunnar Larson

The old abandoned port at Grytviken, South Georgia Island is my dream photography location. This island off the coast of Antarctica used to be a whaling port. I have heard that much of the old port town remains as it was: items still in the general store and houses left with its belongings. This old port seems so haunting with its history yet so beautiful with raw untamed nature.

4. How long have you been using a Holga camera?

Gunnar Larson

A great friend and amazing photographer, Flavia Sollner, introduced me to a Holga in 2005 while I was living in London. It was my fist medium format camera. I also loved its price for a poor East London
artist, like myself at the time.

5. What do you like about using a Holga camera?

Gunnar Larson

When you use a Holga, the images come out different all the time. The more wear-and-tear on the camera results in more unique and beautiful shots. My two Holga cameras have been everywhere and are beaten up. I also have modified my Holga allowing other variables to play into the shots. Shooting with my Holga is always fun because everyone asks about my crazy set up with the white camera and a funny looking flash. It makes for a fun interaction with the subject. I also love to shoot and then not be able to look at the image. I love waiting for the film to develop.

6. What films do you prefer using and why?

Gunnar Larson

I prefer Kodak 160 VC (Vivid Color). I love the color this film produces.

7. What are your thoughts on the way Photography is progressing? (HDR, digital, web)

Gunnar Larson

Digital photography is amazing. It is changing photography and allowing so many people to experience the medium. It is great for shooting commercial work and being able to adjust and alter the image to almost endless possibilities. I am not a big fan of HDR, least not today but maybe tomorrow. I do like using digital and it is great but it has a time and a place. If I could, I would have my own darkroom, process my own film and print large prints by hand.

8. What kind of work/projects do you have lined up for the next 12 months?

Gunnar Larson

Shooting, shooting, shooting. I am really excited to keep producing and exploring. I will continue to shoot fashion and explore different narratives using my Holga. Outside of commercial work, I will be focusing on a couple personal projects this year.

The first project I am working on is my “700 Polaroids of Love,” which is a working title. It is a project of over 700 Polaroids documenting the relationship of me and my wife and our love for fashion. Some of the images are on my website but I am working on compiling them for an exhibition and book.

The other project is collaborating with Justin Hooge, an amazing bookmaker, on making several hand printed books. The project is called “Death of a Warrior” which was shot on film with a Hasselblad. It is about a school building in Southwest Minnesota that was demolished due to the school district closing. The images were taken just two days before the demolition.

9. Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?

Gunnar Larson

Some of the best photography advice ever given to me was from a tour guide while I was on the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. I was photographing like crazy, not really thinking about the shots but trying to capture it all. He told me, “You really should just stop and take it all in. Forget about taking a photo. You are here right now, so you should look and experience what is around you.” I put down the
camera and took it all in and experienced what was around me. An image is telling a story, and in order to tell a good story you need to experience the story before it can be told. The camera is a powerful tool, respect it and use it with wisdom. Let the story be told through you and the camera as a team.

A Big Thanks to Gunnar Larson for taking time to talk about his work. We wish him all the success for his future projects!

The HolgaDirect Team

Please let us know your thoughts about this article. It’s good to talk!

Well we continue to be surprised by the great reviews we have been getting of our Digital Holga lens kits that we have available at the HolgaDirect online store. The latest review to hit the (virtual) shelves is from CNET who we found were very interested in getting to grips with the Digital equivalent of the Holga cameras that we all know and love.

Joshua at CNET put the HolgaDirect Digital Holga Kitchen Sink Kit through its paces and attempted to figure out just what is it that makes these products so popular in this age of Hi-Resolution Digital Photography. As suggested by the name this Kit really is our most comprehensive Digital Holga offering and includes just about every compatible lens you could wish for (except the Kitchen Sink of course!). Included in this Kit are the following lenses:

• Base Holga Lens (as chosen by customer, eg, Canon, Nikon, etc)
• Holga Telephoto Lens Attachment
• Holga Wide Lens Attachment
• Holga Close Up Lens Set (3 lenses)
• Holga Macro Lens Set (2 lenses)
• Holga Fisheye Lens for Digital

CNET experimented with each lens and summarised their findings in the full article. In addition they also managed to post a nice set of images which display just what each lens is capable of.

To read the full CNET review head over HERE.

The Digital Holga Kitchen Sink Kit can be used with any of the following camera models: Canon SLR, Nikon SLR, Pentax SLR, Sony SLR, Olympus SLR. In the coming months the Digital Holga Fisheye lens for the smaller cameras will be released which will enable us to release a Kitchen Sink Kit for Panasonic Lumix G, Olympus PEN, Sony NEX and Samsung NX cameras.

For the full details on the kit you can check out the Digital Holga Kitchen Sink Kit in our Online Store where we also have all sorts of other Digital Holga kits where you can combine popular items while saving money at the same time! So head on over to the HolgaDirect Store now!

The HolgaDirect Team

Getting the Most of Your Holga Close-up and Macro Kits

I love my Holga HL-N lens, so much so that I have no reservations in telling people how much fun it is to shoot with. However, I tend to do a lot more close-up and macro work, and so the 60mm default setting is a bit wide at times. Enter the Close-up Kit. This great little accessory contains two macro adapters and three telephoto adapters, all which quickly and easily pop onto the front of your Holga lens. Yet, how do you get the most from this setup? Well, it is easier than you think!

1. Know your expectations. Holga invokes many photographic thoughts, but toy photography is the most common. Just like the film based cameras, the digital lenses and accessories are all made from plastic. This maybe a cheap way to go, but it adds in a lot of character to photos. Before you head out with your Holga kit of choice, know what your expectations of the day are. If you are looking for super sharp macro shots of flowers, this is not the ideal setup to take. However, if you’re looking for imperfections, a lot of character, and a few surprises along the way, this is needs to be on your camera when you walk out the door.

Now I’m not one for missing “the shot”, and I like variety. So while I know what kind of results the Holga will provide me, I also take a backup lens as a “just in case” solution. Yes this means I’m lugging around more gear, but it affords me sharp photos when I want them, and the freedom of retro looking shots when I want those.  Know your expectations before you head out, and have fun doing that which you enjoy!

Digital Holga image using a Close Up Lens by Chris Nitz

2. Understand the working distances of all the adapters. This trick will save you time and headache while out in the field, but you should take some time to learn the working distances of the close-up kit. First on the list are the macro adapters. Do keep in mind, these adapters are great for things that don’t get scared, or will kill you with a bite in self-defense. The macro setup requires that you get extremely close and personal with your subject. The ML-30 will require you be within half an inch of your subject, while the ML-60 will give you about an inch of working distance. Actual distances will vary depending where you want the focal point, but this gives you an idea of just how close you have to have the front of the camera to your subject. It also means you have to be creative with lighting solutions.

Next we have the close-up adapters. Essentially, these cut the normal working distance of the standard Holga lens, which by default is roughly three feet from the front of the lens to your subject. The CL-120 will work about six inches, the CL-250 about 18 inches, and the CL 500 about 36 inches. Think of these as more of a telephoto setup, so you get more compression with this kit while reducing the amount of space among you and your subject.

There is one caveat to this distance game, and that is your camera. I shoot on a Nikon D90, which has a sensor with a crop factor of 1.6. This means my camera will add a 1.6 magnification to any lens I put on it. For example, a 35mm prime lens on my D90 will equate to about a 56mm lens. If you have a full-frame camera like the D700 or 5D MkII, you will have different focal lengths than what I listed. If you own a micro four-thirds camera, your will have an even greater magnification than what I did (usually about 2x magnification in these). So, make sure you try these adapters long before you get out in the field and start taking photos for clients, or yourself, as it will aid you in knowing your expectations of your gear.

Digital Holga image using a Macro Lens by Chris Nitz

3. Prepare for the unexpected. The fun thing about the Holga equipment is that you never know what to expect, as every lens behaves differently. Mine, for example, produces heavy vignetting on the left side. I have seen friends who do not have this issue, but rather end up with some nice vignetting all over the final frame. It is fun to sit and compare the “personalities” of these lenses!

However, this close-up kit will sometimes enhance, or detract, those unique feature, all while adding in new quirks to the final image. For example, the macro kit does away with my vignette on the left side, yet it adds in some crazy vignetting on the upper corners. I have also found the close-up adapters add in a bit more noise to my shots, but create little to no vignette. My experience may not be your experience, but that is part of the enjoyment of this kit. Take the time to learn the quirks of your gear, and then utilize them to make your shots explode with creativity.

4. Just have fun with it. The most important factor of all of this is to have fun with it. Challenge your creativity by taking a “normal” shot with this lens and its adapters. Everything from portraits to landscapes can change drastically. I have taken photos of toys, food, and people, and this setup never ceases to impress me with all the new ways it helps me see the world. If you’re not having fun, you’re doing something wrong.

Digital Holga image by Chris Nitz

5. The ever asked for “what is your setup” question. So just how do I setup my camera to help add just a bit more to this kit? When I switch to my Holga gear, I will instantly go in and crank the ISO up to a minimum of 800, and sometimes going even higher. This adds in a nice amount of noise, thus aiding in the imperfections of the final shot. I also set my camera to shoot Vivid photos to aid in a more saturated look. Finally, I almost always use a tripod as this allows me to easily swap between the Holga lens and a more “traditional” lens if the situation calls for it.

The Holga Close-up kit is a steal for all the extra options it gives you. I continue to enjoy using this kit, and it is one that is always in my camera bag. If you like getting close and personal to your subject, yet want to add in some new effects to tired old photos, then this is the lens combination you want! Have fun, and happy shooting!

Thanks to Chris Nitz for the above article

If you are interested in the Close-Up and Macro lenses then there are a few options for purchase. If you already have a Digital Holga lens that you can buy a ‘Close Up and Macro Kit‘ which combines both lenses or if you don’t yet have a Digital Holga lens you could purchase the Digital Holga Starter Kit – Close Up and Macro. Alternatively if you wanted the greatest flexibility you could check out our ‘Kitchen Sink Kit‘ which combines the Close Up and Macro lenses together with a Wide and Tele lens combination on top of a Base Digital Holga lens.

Are you interested in writing an article for HolgaDirect? Please contact us and we can discuss any ideas you might have. We’ll happily provide full credit to your own work and images and link to your own website or blog. Anyway, if you have any questions about any of the products or anything else please feel free to contact us with our contact form HERE

The HolgaDirect Team

Here at HolgaDirect we have our own selection of favourite websites to watch for great new and cool interesting products. ‘get addicted to‘ is one of those sites that we love to check out for not only their reviews of cool gadgets and uber-trendy designs but also their coverage of happenings in the art and design worlds. And when ‘get addicted to‘ told us that they really wanted to run a feature on our Digital Holga Ultimate Kit we jumped at the chance.

Peter over at ‘get addicted to‘ ran the Digital Holga Ultimate Kit through it’s paces by producing some marvellous portraits of Tom Glagow, owner of C.A.R.E. Music Group.  Peter used the lenses in the Kit together with his own Canon 5D MKII to produce some wonderfully dreamy looking portrait images.

To read the full story head over HERE.

The Digital Holga Ultimate Kit can be used with any of the following camera models: Canon SLR, Nikon SLR, Pentax SLR, Sony SLR, Olympus SLR, Panasonic Lumix G, Olympus PEN, Sony NEX and Samsung NX.

For the full details on the kit you can check out the Digital Holga Ultimate Kit in our Online Store where we also have all sorts of other Digital Holga kits where you can combine popular items while saving money at the same time! So head on over to the HolgaDirect Store now!

The HolgaDirect Team

Recently we were contacted by the great guys over at DigitalRev who wanted to feature our Holga lens for Digital Camera’s on their show.

They have the video on their Youtube channel or you can Watch it right here!

The basic idea behind the show was that the two presenters were given up to USD 40 each to buy a cheap lens each to see what interesting results they could get from such a small amount of money. We’re happy to report that after pitting our Holga lens for DSLR (Canon in this case) against the Pinwide lens for Olympus PEN we came out trumps! It seems once the DigitalRev team got used to our lens they really enjoyed using it!

Check the video out and if you were interested in purchasing this lens we have versions available for the following cameras:

Nikon SLR
Canon SLR
Pentax SLR
Sony SLR
Olympus SLR
Panasonic Lumix G
Olympus PEN
Sony NEX
Samsung NX

We also have all sorts of Digital Holga kits where you can combine popular items while saving money at the same time! So head on over to the HolgaDirect Store now!

The HolgaDirect Team

<– Follow HolgaDirect & then Tweet about this interview article (Click the box) for a chance to win a signed copy of Jennifer Shaw’s book ‘Hurricane’ Story’ ! – See Bottom Of Page

Name: Jennifer Shaw

Location: New Orleans, LA

Website: Jennifer Shaw Home

Holga Cameras used: 120S, modified 120S (macro-ized)

Photographers you admire: Keith Carter, Diane Arbus, Joseph Koudelka, Debbie Fleming Caffery, Lori Nix, Susan Burnstine,Lori Waselchuk, Hiroshi Watanabe, Sally Mann, Francesca Woodman, Ernesto Bazan

1. How would you describe your photographic style?

We Got a New Roof before Christmas

I think it varies depending on the specific portfolio, but the common threads are a reverence for light and form, and a sense of narrative.
Not just in Hurricane Story, which is obviously a narrative project, but in my other work as well – I like to think the images include a narrative subtext; hints of mystery, stories implied.

2. What inspires you in your work?

Everything! Nature, art, literature, music; all of these things provide food for thought and help to fuel my work. I’m also driven by a really basic visual curiosity. The process of seeing, and then seeing the way things translate onto film, is still fascinating to me after all these years.

3. Where is or would be your dream photography location/shoot?

I don’t really have an exotic location fantasy. My work tends to be pretty personal, so for me it’s more about finding inspiration where you are.

4. How long have you been using a Holga camera?

Since 1999 – I picked one up to shoot Mardi Gras that year and it quickly became my primary camera.

5. What do you like about using a Holga camera?

I love the square format – it’s so clean and decisive. And the simplicity of plastic cameras allows me to work from of place of intuition, responding directly to the things that move me. I also feel that the sharp center and fading edges that Holgas provide come closer to the perspective with which we actually see/perceive/experience the world, depicting more of a “mind’s eye view”, if you will.

6. What films do you prefer using and why?

Send in the Guard

I’m not a hardcore film loyalty person, and will shoot with whatever I can find. That said I tend to use Ilford HP5 and Tri-X most frequently, and like Kodak’s Portra NC for color work.

7. What are your thoughts on the way Photography is progressing? (HDR, digital, web)

I’m pretty much missing the digital photography boat, for better or worse. I love the way the web allows us to share and connect in such an unprecedented, international way. Information and inspiration are now so easily accessible, and the ever-growing online photo communities are wonderful.

8. What kind of work/projects do you have lined up for the next 12 months?

Hurricane Story will be shown in full at the FotoSeptiembre festival in San Antonio this fall, which will be the first time all 46 of the images have been exhibited together. And there’s another book in the works through the North Light Press 11+1 Signature Series, featuring images from my Nature/Nurture portfolio.

9. Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?

A Boy was Born

Look at everything. Find a subject you are passionate about and pursue it like crazy. Work like nothing else matters. Seek feedback – through classes, forums, portfolio reviews; it may be scary at first but will strengthen your vision in the long run.

10. What have you been working on recently?

The past year has been pretty consumed with the publication of Hurricane Story, which has just hit the shelves.

11. Can you tell us about the book and the publication process?

It’s my Katrina tale, shared in a graphic novel format, with images and simple one-line sentences. I had self published it a few years ago (through Lulu) and was thrilled to find an independent publisher interested in picking it up – Chin Music Press. The book was redesigned with a few sequence changes, the addition of a foreword, and a lovely clothbound hardcover. It was intense, but also a really fun collaborative process.

12. Do you have any advice for photographers interested in getting published?

I am currently reading Publish Your Photography Book by Darius Himes & Mary Virginia Swanson and would recommend that to anyone who wants to learn more about the process. It’s a comprehensive, inspiring and accessible manual, packed with tons of great advice and resources.

Many thanks to Jennifer for taking time to talk about her work. We wish her all the success for her future projects!

***AS A SPECIAL PRIZE *** – Jennifer is offering an exclusive signed copy of ‘Hurricane Story’ (images seen in this article) which will be given away as a Prize for one lucky reader! Once this interview article has been tweeted about 30 times we will choose a random person from those 30. So don’t forget to click the Tweet button next to the top of this page.

The HolgaDirect Team

Please let us know your thoughts about this article. It’s good to talk!

<– Follow HolgaDirect & then Tweet about this interview article (Click the box) for a chance to win an original 1m Square Print, ‘The Orange Girl’ ! – See Bottom Of Page

Name: Guy Dondlinger

Location: Berlin, Germany

Website: Guy Dondlinger Home

Holga Cameras used: Holga 120N Camera , Holga 120 WPC Camera, 120GN. Also Diana+ and Lubitel 166B

Photographers you admire: Nan Goldin, Allen Ginsberg, Annie Leibovitz

1. How would you describe your photographic style?

The Orange Girl by Guy Dondlinger

I have two main subjects, and the style varies with the subject. When I shoot people, it’s very much ‘from the hip’ (sometimes literally so). I like street photography, so I tend to take the photos fast and by instinct. I also photograph buildings and urban landscapes – there, I take more time to shoot, but again it’s more by instinct than by careful consideration.

2. What inspires you in your work?

People, mostly – their moods, their quirks, their expressions… . I like being in a busy place in a city, just watching people – especially if it’s a place where people take their time, enjoy the sun or the sights or generally have a good time. It’s in situations like these that I’ve taken what I consider my best photographs. I enjoy this even more in Asian countries where people don’t mind when you take their photo – as opposed to Europe, where you have to be more careful when photographing people in the street.

3. Where is or would be your dream photography location/shoot?

It’s a bit of a cliché, but: New York. I’ve been there a few times, but never with a Holga, and I feel that I need to remedy that. Else, Japan is also high on the list. And I would like to return to India and see (and photograph) more places there (I’ve only been to Southern India so far). As far as colours go, it’s hard to get more fascinating ones than in India; and the same goes for the people.

4. How long have you been using a Holga camera?

Since 2004.

5. What do you like about using a Holga camera?

Susan Sontag wrote in ‘On Photography’ that photography attempts to replicate reality (but doesn’t manage to do so). What I like about Holga photography is that it doesn’t even try to replicate reality. When you shoot with a Holga or a toy camera, you know you’re gonna get a dream-like, unreal (and often, quite surprising) version of the world, which I like.

6. What films do you prefer using and why?

Montparnasse Cemetery by Guy Dondlinger

For colour, Fujicolor Reala, preferably ISA 160, for the quality of the colours – strong but not exaggerated (although my absolute favorite colour film was a batch of the discontinued, original Agfa Optima 100 films which I managed to get on the internet). For black & white, Ilford Delta 400.

7. What are your thoughts on the way Photography is progressing? (HDR, digital, web)

One of the most interesting developments for me in recent years has been photography on smart phones like the iPhone, for the reason that it’s no longer just about taking photos: on the same device, the photographer can use various apps to improve and/or modify the image in many ways, post it to blogs and publish the link on social sites like Twitter and Facebook; all within a matter of minutes. So photography has become very ‘immediate’: photographers can exchange their work with the world, more or less as and when they create it – in a sense, it’s the digital version of what a polaroid camera did or does in the analogue world. I think that this development – the possibility to interface with the internet – will very likely be extended to professional or semi-pro cameras in the near future.
I find this development fascinating, but what it also means is that the world is gonna get swamped with even more images. And this development probably marginalizes analogue photography even more as analogue is as far removed from that immediacy as can be. It’s gonna be yet another challenge for analogue photography – to find its own place in the world of up-to-the-minute blogs and tweets.

8. What kind of work/projects do you have lined up for the next 12 months?

Nothing concrete, but I’m definitely going to do more projects with the Holga 120WPC, the wide-angle pinhole camera. Other than that, my projects are mostly linked to my travels, but I’ve got nothing lined up so far.

9. Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?

Happy in Shanghai by Guy Dondlinger

When you take a picture, people will always tell why the photo is great, or why it isn’t – especially on the internet. At the end of the day, you have to judge yourself if a photo is good or not, and judge by your own criteria. If those criteria are not everyone else’s, so be it.

Thanks to Guy Dondlinger for spending time with us to talk about his work. Wish would like to wish him all the success in his future work!

***AS A SPECIAL PRIZE *** – Guy will be giving away a 1m square print of ‘The Orange Girl’ (seen in this article) which will be given away as a Prize for one lucky reader! Once this interview article has been tweeted about 50 times we will choose a random person from those 50. So don’t forget to click the Tweet button next to the top of this page.

The HolgaDirect Team

Please let us know your thoughts about this article. It’s good to talk!

Very recently we came across an article on the blog of Japanese Photojournalist Ikuru Kuwajima which described his visit to Tohoku in Northern Japan. Kuwajima-San used a combination of Panoramic and Holga photography to document the devastation left in the wake of the disaster. The images vividly begin to show us the effect of the disaster on the town of Rikuzentakada. We are displaying the Holga set of images here but for the full accompanying text and additional Panoramic images please visit ‘Two Days in Tohoku and Afterwards’ on the blog of Ikuru Kuwajima. We will also be posting an interview with the photographer very soon.

If you would like to make a donation to the organisations helping with the ongoing situation in Japan please visit the ‘Google Crisis Response’ page.

The HolgaDirect Team.

<– Follow HolgaDirect & then Tweet about this interview article for a chance to win an Exclusive Mark Olwick Fine Art Holga Print, ‘Epiphany’ ! Valued at USD 500 ! – See Bottom Of Page

Name: Mark Olwick

Location: Seattle (USA)

Website: Mark Olwick Photography

Holga Cameras used: Holga 120N Cameras (one modified for IR use) and Holga 120 TLR

Photographers you admire: Michael Kenna, Keith Carter, Michael Levin, Bill Schwab and many more.

1. How would you describe your photographic style?

Mark Olwick

My goals are twofold: 1. To create photos that capture the emotion and essence of a scene. 2. I want people to look at my photos and know that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate. I hate boring photos that anyone could take.

2. What inspires you in your work?

While I love looking at the great art created by other photographers that I admire, my inspiration comes from an inside drive to create. There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think about photography and art. It’s a need rather than a hobby. Looking at painters like Vermeer and trying to figure out how they captured light insipires me tremendously.

3. Where is or would be your dream photography location/shoot?

Where is or would be your dream photography location/shoot? This is a tough one as I absolutely love to travel and have many places on my “bucket list”. I just returned from Africa where I used my Holga camera for both landscapes and wildlife photography, something that isn’t done much at all. I’d love to continue to push the boundaries of the type of photography that can be done with a Holga camera. You can see my Africa Holga gallery on my website (Mark Olwick Photography).

4. How long have you been using a Holga camera?

More than 10 years.

5. What do you like about using a Holga camera?

I like that there are virtually no controls other than focus. It allows me to be totally in the moment creatively, and that sets it above any electronic marvel. The dream like quality of the images is wonderful, plus I can get great sunflares from the plastic lens.

6. What films do you prefer using and why?

Epiphany - Holga Image by Mark Olwick

My favorite film is Fuji Neopan 120 400, but they recently discontinued it. I’m currently experimenting with replacements. My other favorite film is Efke IR 820 Aura for infrared. Stunning film that gives ink-black skies and a great glow from the infrared bright areas.

7. What are your thoughts on the way Photography is progressing? (HDR, digital, web)

Honestly, I don’t really care about gear in the sense that many people do. Sometimes brand loyalty turns into an almost religious fervor, which is ridiculous. Cameras are just tools and all that matters is the final print (not a web page). If I’m going for a particular look that can only be done with a Canon 5D Mark II with a 17mm tilt/shift lens, then that’s what I’ll use. If it’s a Hasselblad, then I’ll use that. For the majority of my work, the Holga camera is what comes closest to the vision of the final shot in my head, so that’s what I use. I think too many people spend way too much time pixel peeping on DP Review or browsing B&H catalogs and not enough time out shooting. That’s the most worrisome thing.

8. What kind of work/projects do you have lined up for the next 12 months?

Continue to travel and use the Holga camera in unconventional situations. I”ll be one of the featured photographers in a 3 month show of my Holga work at the Oasis Gallery in Seattle starting in April 2011. I have a few different series in work, plus some ideas for books in the future – nothing I can share yet though.

9. Do you have any tips for aspiring photographers?

Study art, not just photographers, then just shoot all the time. Analyze photos or paintings you admire and try to figure out how they did it. Study light. Shoot some more. Forget about what everyone else thinks about your work – as long as you’re happy with what you’re shooting the right audience will find you.

We’d like to thank Mark Olwick for taking time to share his thoughts on Photography and Holga’s with HolgaDirect and wish him all the success in his future work!

***AS A SPECIAL PRIZE *** – Mark is very kind to offer his Fantastic Fine Art Holga print, ‘Epiphany’ (seen in this article) which is valued at USD 500 to be given away as a Prize for one lucky reader! Once this interview article has been tweeted about 50 times we will choose a random person from those 50. So don’t forget to click the Tweet button next to the top of this page.

The HolgaDirect Team

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