Charm Within Everyday Life – Anna Starr Shoots With the Diana F+

Anna Starr is a Seattle-based photographer who's entire body of work is made up of experimental plastic cameras. Her love for hobby photography, eventually led her to join the group Ferries on Film and now she now she helps organize and run their events and meetups.

Because of her particularity with the equipment that she uses, we knew she'd be a perfect match for our endlessly creative Diana F+ in her daily shooting, bringing attention to the little things we might miss when going about our lives.

Hi Anna, welcome to Lomography Magazine! Can you please start off by telling us a bit about yourself and your photography in general?

I’m a hobby photographer from Seattle, WA and I exclusively shoot toy cameras. I’m best known for my Holga photography and Holga zine, Plastic Perspective. My work consists of what I am personally drawn to and what surrounds me: natural spaces. I love showcasing the beauty of the National Parks, mountains, rivers and trails right here in Washington, but also all the quiet places in the city that mingle with nature.

My aesthetic is to capture these places like a daydream – soft, but vibrant, with a clear subject. I like my photos to feel like a postcard or a long-lost memory when you look at them.

What inspired your work with Ferries On Film?

I first came across Ferries on Film on Instagram and attended a meetup on a whim. I met Cole Whitworth, the creator and current admin of the group, and eventually I got the opportunity to join him as part of Ferries on Film, organizing the Seattle meetups. The ferries are an iconic and uniquely special part of life in Seattle and every trip gives you something new to photograph. There’s people, nature, city skyline views, architectural shots… so much to feel inspired by. It’s so cool to have a community of people who all love photographing the niche ferry riding experience.

What was your first impression of the Diana F+ ?

The Diana F+ is everything great about plastic cameras. It’s lightweight, easy to use and produces addictively imperfect photos. It’s similar enough to the Holga, my main camera, that I didn’t feel too intimidated using it. It even has a few more features than a Holga, so I was excited to try out different apertures and the pinhole option. The Diana is a great companion camera that you can take anywhere and shoot anything with, especially with the super cute retro flash.

Can you tell us about what you decided to shoot with the Diana F+ and LomoChrome Metropolis film?

Most of my photography takes place just during everyday life, so that’s how I chose to use the Diana. It just came with me wherever I needed to go. I took some shots around Seattle, Pike Place Market and the Ferries on Film meetup. I also had an opportunity to take it with me to Spokane, WA where I shot in downtown’s Riverfront Park. I like to shoot LomoChrome Metropolis for urban shots like these around the city. The desaturated colors give the shots a little extra grittiness.

Can you recall the first time you shot medium format? What about the experience has made you pick up 120 film again and again?

The first time I shot medium format film was the first time I ever shot film at all. Coincidentally, my very first roll of film was also shot in Riverfront Park nearly six years ago. I started shooting when I received my Holga 120N as a gift and fell in love with it immediately. Aside from a couple of novelty cameras, I almost exclusively shoot medium format film. Personally, I love composing for square format as well as the detail you get out of 120 film, even using toy cameras. With less shots per roll than 35 mm, I try to be more selective about what I shoot, but that just makes each shot more intentional and special to me.

Do you have a favorite shot taken on the Diana F+?

My favorite shot from this series is this one I took in Spokane. I like capturing photos that feel like a little slice of life, a snapshot into someone’s day. I caught a quiet moment of a couple stopped on a path to take a photo in front of an iconic part of the city. The vignette combined with the metropolis coloring gives it a bit of a dreamy look, especially with the whimsical circus tent structure in the background.

Do you have any advice for those who are nervous to make the jump from 35 mm to 120 film?

Just try it! Starting with a Diana F+ or similar toy camera is a super affordable way to shoot 120 and allows you to focus on your composition rather than worrying about messing with shutter speed or focus.

Can you share any tips or tricks for shooting with the Diana F+?

To get the most out of the camera, take some time to learn its quirks. Experiment with the different aperture settings, zone focus, double exposures, etc. Remember that the edges of the frame tend to see the most effects so keep that in mind while composing your shot. I like to keep my subject in the middle third of the frame.

Do you have any upcoming events or projects that you can share with our community?

I just released the 5th issue of my Holga zine, Plastic Perspective. It’s a twice-yearly zine I create that features my own photos and showcases photographers from all over the world, all shooting a Holga camera. All issues are currently available on Etsy.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you Lomography for the opportunity to shoot the Diana F+ and for reducing the price of your 120 film stocks!

If you're interested in keeping up with Anna and her work make sure to check out her Instagram, website, Etsy shop and Ferries on Film!

written by eloffreno on 2023-12-09 #gear #people #travel #medium-format #120 #120-is-forever #120-is-worth-it