LomoGuru of the Week: moodification

He really knows nothing about Lomography ever since he started to learn to take photographs with a digital camera. Not until two years ago when he discovered the art of taking the shot from the hip and the whole culture that surrounds it – he finally found home, and this is where his analogue heart resides currently and no plans of moving out, so far!

Full Name: Peer Scholz
LomoHome: http://www.lomography.com/homes/moodification
Location: Germany
Number of years as a Lomographer: 1.5
Number of years in the Community: 1.5

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

This has to be my first LomoWalk at the Rheinkirmes, a big funfair in Düsseldorf. I was a bit nervous because I really didn’t know what to expect: What would I do if I found myself in a crowd of nerdy and socially inept freaks who only talk about rare cameras and expired films? Much to my relief, I found a group of about 30 nice Lomographers (biggest LomoWalk ever!) with funny plastic cameras around their necks and a lovely sense of humour to boot. We meandered through the funfair and shot every detail from all imaginable angles. The irritated look of the other people at the funfair was absolutely priceless!

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

Oh yes! I’ve had so many wonderful encounters since I first entered the Community! In the western part of Germany where I’m from (North Rhine-Westphalia), we have a very active Community that comes together on a regular basis to do LomoWalks. That is where I met artichekt and later on borg_koenigin and onderbroek: Three fellow Lomographers that I now consider as close friends and whom I often see, even when we aren’t taking pictures. I’m so grateful for these friendships and the creative exchanges that we have. Thank you guys for stumbling into my life!

In addition, it is always nice to see the “core” of the NRW-Community – spoeker, scorpie, knipsomat and feemail – on our great LomoWalks that are always fun and entertaining. I once met up with my online buddy eskimofriend in Stuttgart who supported and encouraged me in my first Lomographic steps (thanks so much for that, Mr. S!). I’m hoping to see him at the Photokina this year.

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

Hell yeah!!! ;-) I don’t really know what makes me so sure about this, but it feels like it! I used to shoot digital for some years, which is how I got into photography in the first place. But when I discovered Lomography it felt like coming home. In the past one and a half years Lomography really has become a part of my life. I never leave my flat without a camera (or three) with me. My pictures help me to remember things, people and places and I have the impression that I’m much more aware of my surroundings than before. I love what I do, and I wouldn’t want to lose it ever again!

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

Tough question! Since my camera shelf is continuously growing, there are a lot to choose from! In all honesty, I really love all of them: The LC-A+ (that I have on me all the time), the Diana F+ (with its dreamy and colourful pictures), the Diana Mini (the interchangeable format princess), the Holga GCFN (my latest fling), not to mention all the other analogue cameras I own… But if I have to narrow it down to just one camera then I’d have to say the Lubitel 166+. I really adore this twin-lens lady and love how she slows me down: nothing like a snapshot camera, the Lubitel 166+ forces you to take a closer look at the subject, walk around it to get the best angle, compose the shot through the viewfinder, set the aperture and length of exposure, check all the settings once again and then… shoot! This whole procedure leaves nothing in your head but concentration on that very moment. For me, this is something that only music is capable of achieving in a similar way.

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

I tend to say “Don’t think, just shoot!” but I’m too much of a cerebral person to really go with that ;-) When I started, I needed at least a little information about what you can do with a camera to achieve the things I had in mind. But you can find it all here on Lomography! I spend hours looking at pictures and reading tipsters and reviews to get to know about the different cameras, films, and techniques. So here is my advice: Never be afraid to ask anybody about anything in the Community; this international group of analogue lovers is the nicest, most helpful and open-minded crowd I’ve ever met. And then just go ahead and experiment with what you have in mind; don’t ever be afraid to make mistakes. After all, the most beautiful pictures grow out of mistakes!

They are the ones whose passion transcends not only by what they do and say, but also with what they see and capture with their film cameras. And with such attributes aforementioned, they are what we call LomoGurus! Every week, we get to ask questions and reveal some insights with the most talented and productive of all Lomographers from the Community!

written by fookshit on 2012-07-22 #lifestyle #interview #community #feature #q-a #lomoguru