the holga chronicles - take 1
granted, attempting ‘artsy’ photography in Oklahoma is enough to get your ass kicked.
but I had to try.
putting the film in was enough to remind me that I was basically raised, as we all were, on digital.
but in the end, I got there.
and started shooting.
shot the whole backyard of my folks, in fact.
and then took it in to get developed.
my first mistake was allowing the 120 film to come slightly unraveled and not securing it - next time I’ll do it in a darker room
but hey, if Holga is known for it’s imperfections, than surely it can handle mine, right?
‘customer knows it’s foggy’ wrote the lady, whose name should have been something like Peggy.
flash forward to the next day, I received a call saying ‘your photos are ready, but you probably won’t like them’.
thanks, Peg.
so I bummed a ride from my Mother and now immediately regret ever typing a sentence that includes two of those words.
I was given one photo.
and a roll of negatives.
one photo - out of 16.
‘where are the other 15?’ I inquired.
‘the developer thought they were too weird and you wouldn’t want them’
‘but I told you it was a Holga and it was supposed to be weird.’
’sorry about that.’
‘do you know what a Holga is?’
‘I’ve seen it once before. the Hanson brothers have them!’
‘and did you all print theirs?’
‘yes, but they’re Hanson‘.
…I think I’ll try again in another town.
what I did learn, from looking at the negatives, is that yes, there are light leaks, something that can be taped over. and I think I will.
the viewfinder is not accurate - which, on a $20 toy camera shouldn’t be too shocking.
and there’s plenty online had I not been such a guy.
like, taking the plastic mask off.
but there’s a long way to go before my photos look anything like these.
I welcome any tips,
just as long as it has nothing to do with Hanson.
Okay you’ve earned your beer for the day, off to the pub with ya (and you’d better...