LomoGuru of the Week: chappelow

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His strong passion for documenting places he travels to has brought him a gallery of wonderful photographs. Let’s get to know more about Taiwan-based English teacher and graphic designer chappelow, our LomoGuru of the Week!

David Chappelow aka chappelow

Name: David Chappelow
LomoHome: chappelow
Location: Taichung City, Taiwan.
Number of years as a Lomographer: 5 or 6
Number of years in the Community: 5 or 6

Tell us about yourself. What do you do for a living? What are your main interests?

Im from Manchester, UK. I teach English in Taichung City, Taiwan. I have been living in Taiwan since 2008. I have a Taiwanese wife and child. I’m sure you have seen my little girl in my photos. She has become my muse and I love documenting her and my life in Taiwan. In my spare time, I design t-shirts and logos. I have a little company that allows me an outlet to do something creative as I studied design at University. If you have a spare minute, you can check us out here.

Tell us something about your LomoHome’s name. Why did you decide to have that username?

I chose my family name chappelow because I want who I am and my photography to be connected. I love taking photos. I’m proud of some of my photos I’ve taken and I want people to know it’s me instead of trixydog1469. Who is that? I do that across the board with most things online. I dislike people hiding behind screen names and trolling so most of my names online are transparent and represent me.

If I were to change my LomoHome name, however, I would like it to be the same as the name of my company so everything creative I do will be under one umbrella.

Credits: chappelow

Share with us your most memorable experience in the Lomographic Community.

There are a number of things. Doing this interview, for example, is great. Hopefully, people will look at my photos and be turned on by them. Getting people commenting on my photos is a great feeling. It is also interesting to see that my photos that get the most like are sometimes not really those I thought would have. Sometimes, it’s nice to know this style or angle worked well for the viewers so it’s quite interesting in that sense. Hopefully, this improves me so I can continue to take photos that people would like.

I was also picked as Home of the Day in the international Lomography website which was very nice. And even my photo being on the Taiwan Lomography page was very cool. It’s a great community to be a part of.

Have you actually met people in the Community that you now consider as close friends? If so, name at least one of them.

I would like to but has not happened yet. I have Taiwanese friends and they have been interested in what I’m doing with Lomo. As a result, they have started doing Lomo but I’ve not met anyone in the Community.

Credits: chappelow

Do you think you’ll still be taking Lomographs in the next 5 years? Why?

Yes, this will be something I will always do. It’s a passion of mine, a part of my life. It is something that I really enjoy doing that I also get recognized for. It’s also a never ending process of getting better and learning.

What is your favorite Lomo camera and why? Do you have any memorable experiences using this camera?

My favorite camera is the Horizon Kompakt. I love the impact it gives the photos. I love the panoramic format. The fact that it uses a 35mm film makes it a very convenient camera. I’ve had this camera for 4 or 5 years and this is my go-to-camera out of my six Lomography camera.

In my opinion, like most lomography cameras, it is amazing in sunny weather. I had never really used the camera at night until my recent Thailand trip where I shoot a fire show by the beach. I remember getting my seat in front and hoping that the photos would come out nice to document what a great night it was. I took six films during this trip and the fire show photos were just amazing. I was so happy with how they turned out. I used the slow shutter option of the camera and it worked like a treat. Being a wide-angled camera just adds something to the photos. These photos are in my album Thailand.

Please share with us your favorite lomograph and explain why you love that particular image.

Credits: chappelow

There are a few photos that I’ve been very pleased with and would consider my favorite. But following what I said earlier about my trip to Thailand, I’ve chosen this photo. It just captures the moment in my opinion. It’s wild and the photo came out as I hoped it would.

Please share a Lomograph you wish you had taken and explain why.

There are just so many. That’s the great thing about this community of ours. Everyday, I get motivated and inspired by different people, by the cameras or film they have chosen, and by their subjects. Some people are lucky enough to live and visit some beautiful places so that’s also an inspiration.

Credits: suizidekid

Recently, I’ve been looking at a lot of suizidekid's photos. I really love this photo and the whole album. It’s just so soft, it almost looks like a painting. The lighting is amazing, too.

What’s the best Lomographic or photography advice you think you have given?

I’ve suggested a possible shot to a friend. When I go somewhere, I usually stay there for a day or two so I get really excited to take photos of that place. For me, it’s all about documenting the place where I go to. Suggesting what might be a good shot or a possible angle is an advice I have given to my friends in the past.

If there’s one song or movie that best describes your Lomo life, which one is it and why?

I think the majority of my albums are very quick shoots and day trips. It’s documenting where I have gone, so I guess if there is a song [to describe my Lomo life] it would be A Day In The Life by The Beatles.

As what most of my albums are: a day in the life, my life. There is also a part in the song which says “I’d love to turn you on” which I guess is what I want to do with my photography.

Is there any advice you can give to new analogue shooters?

My advice would be to just keep going and don’t stop. Even if you are frustrated with the photographs, it will get better. I’ve had some nightmares and made mistakes but these are all part of the process. Sounds cliche but just keep on doing it and you will get the rewards. Get inspired by things and your passion and excitement will come through in the photographs.

Credits: chappelow

written by icequeenubia on 2014-08-24 #videos #lifestyle #lomoguru #lomoguru-of-the-week

7 Comments

  1. suizidekid
    suizidekid ·

    great ! and thank you ;)

  2. chappelow
    chappelow ·

    It's my pleasure. Thank you to Lomography and icequeenubia. I really appreciate being featured. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

  3. chappelow
    chappelow ·

    Thank you to @icequeenubia

  4. clownshoes
    clownshoes ·

    Congrats @chappelow !

  5. icequeenubia
    icequeenubia ·

    You deserve to be a LomoGuru! Thank you too for your time! :) @chappelow

  6. adi_totp
    adi_totp ·

    hello @chappelow !

  7. chappelow
    chappelow ·

    hello @adi_totp

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