There’s a great article on the BBC website today about Lomo photography and the part it has played in keeping film photography alive.

 My very first Lomo photo! Bournemouth Pier – Diana F+

It was certainly true for me – after years of shooting only on digital I became more and more curious about all these strange people who were taking amazing photos with film – whilst there were Photoshop tricks to make your images look more ‘filmy’, I figured it would be a lot more fun to actually buy a roll of film and give it a go for real – that was about five years ago and I’ve not looked back since.

 Another shot from my first roll of film and Lomo Diana F+ camera – I’m glad they came out well as I may not have carried on otherwise.

Being able to buy a brand-new film camera from the Lomo website (a Diana F+), one that had a user manual and lots of online support gave me a lot of confidence in my new venture. It meant that the first time I used it the results were dependable and looked pretty cool as well – very reassuring. I remember feeling very clumsy* man-handling the 120 film; everything looked so basic I didn’t think anything good could come of it – but happily everything worked a treat. (*Actually, loading film into a Diana always makes me feel that way)!

 Light leaks, vignetting, a cheap plastic lens – the Diana has it all.

 It’s great fun playing with multiple exposures.

From then on I got braver and began experimenting with junk shop finds – it’s pretty hard to kill off a film camera completely, you know! (I’ve even had great results from a Lubitel 2 that was found in a skip and is held together with gaffer tape).

So, yes – thank you Lomography, you got me started on a fabulous adventure. I now have drawers full of cameras to choose from any time I fancy taking a photo (although going away on holiday and having to choose which ones to leave behind is getting more and more like Sophie’s Choice every time).

You’ve no idea how much I want to get out there RIGHT THIS SECOND with my Diana and a roll of film!

Have you ever shot with a Lomo camera or thought you might like to try? What’s your story?

Hope you’re all having a spooktacular halloween! In England we apparently now ‘do’ the whole trick or treating thing so I have been handing out gummy-eyeballs most of the evening. I’m glad they’re nearly all gone as they look as gross as they sound!

Oh, and I have a hauntingly creepy article in the Lomography magazine today – it’s a graveyard smash!

One of the (many) cameras I took away with me to The Lake District was my little Diana F+ (a 120 film toy camera).

I diligently ensured it didn’t get left out amongst its bigger, flashier cousins and that it got its fair share of snapping time. I’m nice like that.

There was a problem though. When I was gathering up all my film for a trip to the lab I knew things weren’t right with the film in my Diana – instead of being tightly wrapped like it was when it went in, it was all baggy and loose round the spool. Uh oh!

I was very close to binning the film there and then – chalking it up to experience; give yourself enough time to load up your film carefully in the future, don’t wait till you’re halfway up a mountain and wearing mittens.

As I was going to the photo lab anyway I thought I’d risk getting it developed, and I’m so glad I did!

The ones near the centre, the ones I took first were were almost perfect, but as the roll progressed there were more and more light leaks and, most excitingly, the numbers and print from the film backing paper became exposed onto the film.

I love the numbers! These photos look like I’ve gone crazy adding textures and colours in photoshop but it’s all ‘real’.

Have you had any happy accidents photographically speaking (not just with film)?

All taken with Lomo Diana F+ Edelweiss and FujiColor Pro 160NS film