Newcomer of the Week: Dragoș Dulea

The photographs of Dragoș Dulea, who goes by the moniker @hellopixels, seem like stills from a movie. Every motion blur, every vivid color is an invitation to lean in closer and anticipate the next scene. This is exactly what makes his work so compelling—it reels in the viewer's attention but let their imagination fill in the story after his cinematic shot. In this interview, our featured newcomer from Bucharest, Romania talks about the inspiration behind his photographs and his love for film photography.

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

Hi everyone, my name is Dragoș and I’m a video editor and colorist. I got into photography in 2016, when I stumbled onto one of my girlfriend’s dusty old film cameras. I’ve always enjoyed the look and feel of analogue imagery, applying it extensively to my digital video work, so film photography felt like a natural next step. You can check out my video work here.

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

I came across Lomography years ago while looking to get a nice film camera for my girlfriend.

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

Definitely #10 (Don't worry about any rules). I don’t like following any rules!

In this digital age, why still film?

I grew up with analog technology. Listening to music on reel-to-reel tapes, watching movies on VHS or struggling to use my dad’s Smena 8. Working with film has a certain “human”, or rather “imperfect” feel to it that I don’t get with digital. It’s a process that requires a lot of time, patience and making a ton of mistakes. Getting the film back from the lab and discovering some nice little shot that you forgot about or thought it wouldn’t turn out at all, that’s a nice warm feeling.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

I started with my girlfriend’s Canon AE-1P and I really like the feel of it. It’s well built and even though it has its quirks, I still love it. Last year I got a Canon T-90 with a stuck shutter but it was great seeing it fire again in who-knows-how long. There’s also a Pentacon Six and a Lubitel 166 lying around the house that I would like to experiment with.

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

I have five film cameras at the moment, including a working Super 8. Plus lots of lenses. Before getting a new camera, I would have to get “a bigger boat”, as they say. But I wouldn’t mind shooting with the LC-A 120.

Any song, book, or movie you live by?

I’ve been a huge fan of Boards of Canada since I first discovered them in high school. Their music evokes a certain kind of imagery from the past, sometimes dark, that really stuck with me for a long time. Being a 90s kid, I love Fight Club, and Trainspotting, two movies that had a huge influence on me growing up. I also dig Tarkovsky’s work in the 70s, everything by Stanley Kubrick, early Nolan, and Aronofsky but I will stop before getting all film-geeky. I’m not a voracious reader but I do enjoy Kurt Vonnegut, Irvine Welsh, and Chuck Palahniuk.

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

If I had to choose one of mine, I would pick this one:

Nothing in this shot was planned, and I didn’t think too much about composition and exposure but I really like how it turned out.

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

I really dig @dmitriy_k’s surreal style and @jacquelinebadeaux’s ghostly imagery at the moment.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

Discovering more work to get the inspiration juices flowing!

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

2018-06-29 #people #lomohome #lomohomes #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week