Newcomer of the Week: Davit Bakuridze (@dbak)

"Be fast" is the Lomography Golden Rule that Georgia-based film photographer Davit Bakuridze (@dbak) follows by heart. Armed with his favorite camera, Olympus 35 RC, he roams his hometown Batumi in search for the elusive "decisive moment". Let's get to know more about his passion for street photography and see some of his favorite snapshots in this interview.

Name: Davit Bakuridze
LomoHome: dbak
Location: Tbilisi, Georgia

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

Hello, I am Davit, 20 years old, from Georgia (Republic, but not the state in the USA). I am studying electrical engineering at San Diego State University (Georgian campus). It may sound strange but besides taking photos, I like strolling the streets alone and cycling in my hometown Batumi.

How did you find the Community and who/what convinced you to join?

When my grandfather gave me his Fed 5B, I surfed the internet to find any information about that particular camera and film photography in general, then I came across the Lomography. That was in 2012 and since then I was a frequent visitor to the site. I decided to create my own account recently, as I shoot the film on a regular basis now when I am in Tbilisi, where I can buy film since Lomography opened an online store here.

As you have read the 10 Golden Rules of Lomography, what rule do you apply in your everyday life?

It is definitely the rule #7 (Be Fast). I think it is crucial to be fast in the streets, where everything is moving constantly, even the sky changes, so be sure to capture the moment you like, before it is too late. Advance the film just after taking a picture, so you don’t waste the time in “the decisive moment”. Sometimes don’t look into the viewfinder and try to zone-focus.

In this digital age, why still film?

Even before I was given my first camera, and by the way, I have never owned a digital camera, I saw black and white photos of Georgian children playing football (soccer) on some hill in a rural area on a wall in my friend’s room. I immediately liked the photos, but I was so young that I didn’t even know that photography is analogue as well as digital. It was my friend who told me that those pictures were taken on film by his older sister. So, in the digital era, I still prefer analogue, just because I like it. Besides, the film brings an excitement to me, after it is developed, and I can not only see what I’ve captured but touch it as well.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

From the three cameras that I own, my favorite is Olympus 35 RC. It is tiny, pocketable camera, it has a cool design and a sharp lens. Also, it is very quiet and most of the time, people do not notice me when I am taking a picture. In addition, it is so tiny and weighs so little, that I never get tired when holding it in my hands all day.

What is the Lomographic camera you’d want to have someday?

I wish I had owned a Lomo LC-Wide. The ultra-wide lens of that camera fascinates me. Also, using LC-Wide must be fun. I think, the wider frame can boost creativity and imagination and the aid of inserting more into one picture can be considered privilege in street photography.

Any song, book, or movie you live by?

Perhaps the movie “Coffee and Cigarettes” by Jim Jarmusch. I really enjoy seeing how people chat about ordinary things, sitting next to each other around checked tables, drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes. It is a depiction of 11 stories, moments from lives that could be anyone’s because those moments happen every day everywhere. I am attracted by the monochromatic simplicity of the stories and the idea that everyday life is wonderful as in the stories in the movie.

Share your current favorite Lomograph, could be yours or a friend’s. Why?

I cannot decide which one I like the most, so here are three of my favorite Lomographs.

I discovered this one by @gotoarizona when I was looking for information about Fed 5B. In my opinion, it is majestic. I love the composition: blue sky, the field full of wheat and emerging Gala with that hat. And that grain. It feels like a painting to me.

The second one, from @bravopires reminds me of a van Gogh painting.

And the magnificent lomograph by @lazybuddha, cannot even describe it as it makes me speechless when I see it:

Any Community member you look up to? If so, why him or her?

There are many lomographers which I admire and the three of them are already mentioned. Also, I would like to give my respect to lomographers: @hodachrome, @neja, @sirio174, @earlybird, @superlighter, @oleman, @vicuna, @bkspicture, @akula, @oleman. For me, they are the great masters of Lomography, who never cease to amaze me.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

I am looking forward to seeing more amazing pictures and be inspired by them.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, Davit! Welcome to the Lomography Community and we're all looking forward to seeing more of your work.

2018-03-29 #lomohome #lomohomes #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week