Lomographers Throughout the Years: Scootiepye

The spirit of spontaneity, expression, and creative photography lives on in in the hearts of Lomographers throughout the world. Regardless of style or preference, each and everyone share the love for photography. For 25 years, Lomography has been bringing the most creative and wonderful ways to expand our photographic experiences. We've met a lot of people along the way and this series is dedicated especially to them!

Today we recognize scootiepye or Helen Errington in real life and follow her majestic journey with Lomography.

Name: Helen
Username: scootiepye
Year when you joined Lomography: I registered with Lomography.com in 2001-08-08 16:41:17 precisely.
What keeps you busy now: An everyday creative mind and a happy; if a little broken, trigger finger!

Let's do a backtrack. How did you discover Lomography?

My buddy Kazza was talking about Lomography in 2000 and I was super curious to know more about it and so I bought a camera
& started my passionate photographic affair. I joined the online community about a year later.

We were considered Lomography pioneers back then, many new creative techniques were created then and came from a core group of Lomographers including myself, we all mainly shot with the LCA and we help spread the Lomo love to the rest of the world. We had different styles but this was the analogue Instagram of the time it was also the first time we had access to a global online community and it really changed the way people interacted and connected with one another. The online atmosphere also created the birth of international double swaps. It was a totally unique situation and very creatively exciting to be part of. The online photographic equivalent of the Chelsea hotel. A hybrid collective of creatives. No analogue online community has matched that experience since then.

What was your first Lomography camera?

The rad bright yellow 4 lenses supersampler. I still have it, It's very battered but amazingly still works. Shortly followed by the purchase of a classic original Russian Lomo Kompakt Automat with the Minitar lens the LC-A my all time favorite camera. The Horizon and Holga are both coming a close second. I have a weak spot for the Smena 8M as well.

What's your fondest Lomography moment?

Ha! Well that has to be the Lomography Congress in Beijing China in 2004, it was an epic experience. Doing the taxi challenge with Rowena Naylor was totally wild. G and Ed such great company. I met so many lomographers in person and it was a fantastic time. It's thrilling to have been part of the Lomography family, sharing, meeting and testing the various prototype cameras. Having images included in so many books and publications leaves a legacy I'm happy to have as a visual time stamp of my life.

Could you share some of your earliest Lomography shots?

The image wall is from the hardcover front inlay of the Lomo LCA book which I was both humble and proud to discover I was part of.

Who were your Lomography friends back then?

Natalie Zwillinger
Gwane - Gareth Wane
Maya Newman
Satanic57 - Jeff Hahn
Goldie - Jesper
BMXEDD - Ed Jung
Adam Scott
David Pearce
Jesal Kamat
Neja - Julia Svetlova
Carmen de Voss
Brittany Diliberto
Webmeister
Jrjw
LIz Liguori
Brian Milo
Jeansman

What advice would you give newcomers (to the Lomography community)?

Light, timing, and composition are always the key components. The subject can be anything, it doesn't matter.

When taking & making your images respect your creative self and the photographic craft, give the process your full attention, learning never stops, don't ever compromise your image making, it’s disrespectful to yourself and to the image. When you have a camera in your hand, give it all you've got all of the time. If you're not behind the moment 100% you're only just dipping in your creative toe. Give the image as well as the moment everything of your own creative self. Be true, be mindful, have fun, shoot with a passion, be your best self and show the world who you are, what you're about and how you see things through your eyes. Your honest self, including all shortcomings, make you and your images 100% unique, no need to reinvent either. Be yourself and shoot with honesty & passion. Shoot with as many camera types as you can - they all have a personality. Shoot everyday. Never conform.

What does Lomography mean to you?

Freedom and a life long passion.

Some of our favorite shots by Scootiepye

Visit her LomoHome to see more.

Have you submitted your shots yet? Help us create a global photography exhibition by sending us your top shots of your favorite places and signing up to construct your very own LomoWall. Keep an eye on the official 25 Years of Lomography site and make sure you’re following us on social media, too. From parties to exhibitions to giveaways and more, there are tons of festivities still to come!

2017-08-26 #people #25thanniversary #25yearsoflomography #lomographersthroughouttheyears