Newcomer of the Week: ehrenreichandrea

Vienna, Austria-based lomographer Andrea Ehrenreich works as an architect and architecture photographer. Being in the community continuously inspires her to express herself freely, without worrying about any strict photographic rules.

Name: Andrea Ehrenreich
LomoHome: @ehrenreichandrea
Location: Vienna, Austria

Please tell us something about yourself and what you do.

I am 49 years old. I was born in Slovakia but I’ve been living in Austria since 1992. Being able to live in two countries and two systems made me rich in experiences and feelings and I like to put these emotions on paper. I work as an architect and architecture photographer. In my job, I use a lot computers, so I was starting to miss the feeling of doing hands-on creative activities.

As a child, I took photos with my father, who was a proud owner of a Flexaret camera. I returned to photography in 2005.

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

I found out about the community through my husband. You know him here as @andreasehrenreich. He is an enthusiastic lomographer who loves analog photography and is an educated photographer.

I like to be creative, without being forced to think of what is right and what is wrong, because in all cases this is a matter of taste. Being a member of the Lomography community gives me a feeling of freedom in my expression. And I am glad that I am able to see creative photos from many people all over the world here.

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

Don’t worry about the rules. I think in today’s world there exists far too much rules that disturbs our creativity and personality. Making ideas real is a kind and part of evolution. And so my search for freedom to express myself becomes bigger and bigger.

In this digital age, why still film?

In my job, I work with a computer and sometimes I think that we speak more about computer programs and logistic than about architecture or photography alone. The tools are valued more than the outputs and the aim. I think that the primal craft should stay as the priority.

Your favorite analog camera as of the moment? Why?

My favorite camera now is my new Lubitel 166+. It reminds me of my childhood when my father was using his Flexaret and Fomapan made in Czechoslovakia. I still own his camera but the lens has seen better days.

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

I am satisfied with my cameras. I have Diana F, Image zero, Polaroid 600, Polaroid SX 70, Instax Mini, and of course the Lubitel. But I wish to own a Hasselblad 500 one day. But maybe this tool is too perfect for my case.

Any song or movie you live by?

“Tom and Jerry.” Tom is the protagonist in today’s system, which stands for rules and duties. I sometimes feel like Jerry Mouse who has to find many ways to escape. And sometimes I have the feeling that I need to be a cool “kind of Buratino.”

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

All those who have a heart and sense for taking analog photos. In the Lomography community there are a lot of creative photographers. I like to see those who use different chemical and materials and experiment with light, composition, and colors.

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

I must tell the truth: I never followed any special photographer. I like to look at the photos without expecting if he or she will make again great photos in his or her "style”. I see photos regularly but without special expectation. It’s my philosophy to just see the photos as they are in order to avoid any prejudice. I like to make experiments, which I’ll never know the outcome of beforehand, and I want to have enough “room” for it. So, I try to give this space to others’ photography.

What are you looking forward to in our Community?

I like this Community very much. It is a fresh, young, and independent community with many nice people in different age, from different countries and in different life situations. The photos show you a lot of details from different cultures in all their manifestations.

Thank you Andrea for sharing your thoughts with us! Welcome to the community and we’re all looking forward to seeing more of your work!

written by Eunice Abique on 2015-09-26 #lifestyle #newcomer #newcomer-of-the-week